Rivian CEO Doubles Down on Decision to Not Offer Apple CarPlay

[tennisproha]

While I wouldn't agree with this sentiment for legacy automakers, I think it's not so bad for EV only automakers to do this since they're essentially software-first companies. Although I think there's still value in implementing CarPlay, even in EVs. While legacy automakers ought to just implement CarPlay Ultra since they have proven to be completely incompetent at software.

However, Rivian's big screw up is adopting Google Maps instead of Apple Maps for their default navigation system. Yes Google Maps has better data right now, but Apple Maps UI is just beautiful in comparison and would really complement the Rivian dash.

 

[Thisismattwade]

Our vehicles are both approaching 10 years old. I didn't know about CarPlay when we bought them (new), and I'm not sure whether either of the vehicles had it as an option. (These are not high-end vehicles. ) I'm excited for one or both of our next vehicles to have CarPlay, but we don't have plans/money to buy a new vehicle any time soon. In the meantime, using our phones on the dashboard works pretty well!

 

[turbineseaplane]

While I wouldn't agree with this sentiment for legacy automakers, I think it's not so bad for EV only automakers to do this since they're essentially software-first companies.

I'm not really sure why people say this about EVs.

It's a choice to be so software focused.

The thing I love the most about my Bolt EV (beyond just the pure value) is how much it's just a normal Chevy that happens to be electric.

The car being an EV actually necessitates very little being wildly different.

The reason these companies are pivoting to "Services" is because EVs are so reliable and require so incredibly little maintenance or major parts and servicing.

Their whole business structure is at risk as a result, particularly on the dealership side.

 

[Jonathan7877]

This is my number one complaint about my Tesla. CarPlay is just better. Apple Maps is better. I wish I had the choice, but oh well.

As a fellow Tesla driver, I feel the exact same way. I mount my iPhone Pro Max to a MagSafe charger and I find myself preferring navigating using that.

It’s silly that they can’t just add the choice like an app that opens CarPlay in place of the right 2/3s of the screen…

 

[canadianreader]

it plans to integrate AI into its vehicles over the next 18 months

Probably to collect drivers' data and sell it to data brokers he can't do that with CarPlay

 

[bmark]

CarPlay offers no advantages for auto manufacturers! Therefore they have no incentive to implement it.

 

[MrAR]

This is my number one complaint about my Tesla. CarPlay is just better. Apple Maps is better. I wish I had the choice, but oh well.

I’m curious why you actually think this? I’m an Apple nerd but I really enjoyed the software in my previous tesla. Maps were super smooth and fast. Then again, I also always preferred Google Maps on my iPhone.

 

[ChromeAce]

I mounted a CarPlay add-on display to my Rivian dash from Carpuride. Works well most of the time. I do NOT trust car companies to secure my contacts list inside the vehicle. They don’t even password-protect it. You think I want my girlfriend going through my address book when I run into the grocery store? Or have a hitchhiker or car theif look on the nav app to see where I live? I want that stuff secure on my phone at all times.

 

[twolf2919]

This is such a moronic explanation for why they don't include CarPlay. Come on! Nobody is asking Rivian not to create this "seamless experience"! And by his own statement, Rivian will provide an "a la carte selection of built-in apps" - so why can't CarPlay simply be one of those??? If Rivian's "seamless experience" is so great, nobody would ever tap on that little CarPlay button in the bottom-left corner.....

....but we all know this BS he's spewing is not to "help" his customers. It's to help Rivian eventually gain more revenue streams from users having to pay for apps and services they already have on their iPhones or Android handsets.

 

[lefkonj]

As a Rivian owner at first I missed CarPlay but the system does what I need it to do so it is fine. I don't think they will cave-in on this one. My BMW has CarPlay, as did plenty of my previous cars. It works well but I am not sure it is a must have feature.

Would gladly buy either vehicle again and again.

 

[Hans_J]

I would NEVER buy a car that does not offer CarPlay. The main reason is any car's software will never be kept updated like CarPlay will.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I mounted a CarPlay add-on display to my Rivian dash from Carpuride. Works well most of the time. I do NOT trust car companies to secure my contacts list inside the vehicle. They don’t even password-protect it. You think I want my girlfriend going through my address book when I run into the grocery store? Or have a hitchhiker or car theif look on the nav app to see where I live? I want that stuff secure on my phone at all times.

This is an excellent point...one that I'm surprised isn't more recognized and supported around here as it's a key reason many cite for being so invested in the Apple ecosystem.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

You think I want my girlfriend going through my address book when I run into the grocery store?

In this instance I think you need a different girlfriend, not a different car.

 

[tkauftheil]

I get his point. I have had my Rivian for just over a year now. And I mostly got used to not having CarPlay.

Apple Music was introduced and I was a step closer. My phone stick to the dash, so using Siri to make calls or send texts was easy. And honestly, it was the same experience as having CarPlay.

Then I was introduced to an aftermarket CarPlay solution that integrated with the Rivian audio and touch screen system. Installed it and now at the touch of a button, I can switch between Rivian UI and CarPlay. It’s really a seamless solution.

Now that I have access back to CarPlay, I kind of question why I really needed it. I’m a simple user, I don’t use Waze or any other app. Just music and audiobooks. Apple Maps is way better than google for my usage. But the difference is getting slimmer.

With Rivian’s UI being pretty much a SaaS solution, their integrations are almost endless.

RJ is right I feel. Will the “loose” customers bc of it, sure. Some. But there are a ton of other options out there.

Just my 2.5 cents.

 

[lusty]

Apple is a software company with 50 years of interface design experience

And yet, they’re the software company who insist users of a GUI remember complex command sequences for basic functionality on Mac. Apple are good at many things but UX design is not one of them.

 

[lenard]

CarPlay makes car manufacturers job easy as they don't have to build in a entertainment
system in and maintain it as well.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Just remember everyone .. when you justify away losing some of your consumer choice and optionality, you rarely get it back.

Whether you're "fine without CarPlay" or not, it should be an option to use it if you want -- on ALL CARS.

 

[utsava]

Rivian wants their software to be perfectly integrated with their hardware. They are no different from Apple in that regard.

Why let the phone people tell you what Car UX should be like?

People want their software and personal data (iOS, Android) to be perfectly integrated with their hardware (smartphone and car). Rivian's approach is antagonistic towards this consumer position and RJ uses vaporware AI as an excuse to handwave it away. I like RJ, but in this case he's putting the company before customers. I guarantee they could support basic CarPlay with very little effort. Give us the choice.

 

[Tech Haven]

Oh cool, I can cancel my S3 order and ret that deposit back.

 

[roklanhavok]

He seems convinced that saying FU to potential buyers is the best course of action. It is probably not.

 

[7thson]

I wish him luck in his endeavors. Like many have already voiced, not offering CarPlay is a dealbreaker. However, the auto makers that do offer it could do a better job of creating hardware that is capable of supporting CarPlay reliably. My 2025 Civic Sport Touring can be erratic in how/if it launches. Sometimes great, sometimes “no phone detected” or worse CarPlay freezes up and the head unit has to be rebooted.

 

[iZac]

All the auto manufactures would like their own bespoke software - all the better to track owners and sell them subscription services.

 

[AirunJae]

I get wanting to "control the stack", but not allowing folks to cast from their phones is goofy and likely driven by an eye towards collecting user data and subscription money. Just make your in-car stuff so compelling and feature rich that most folks won't want to use their phone, but still have the option to for certain edge cases.

 

[thistleknife]

"We're really convicted on this," he said.

Come on. Use real words, dude. I hate this tech bro thing of just inventing new word forms, which they largely do very poorly.

(See also performant and colorways)

 

[groove-agent]

I wish Tesla had CarPlay but there's no way Elon's ego would allow it. The Tesla's entertainment system is starting to get stale - I don't think they've updated it with any good features in a long while.