Rivians Get Google Maps Integration So You Hopefully Stop Caring There's Still No Apple Carplay

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Rivian builds superb electrical trucks that connection almost everything nan modern car purchaser could want, but they still deficiency 1 characteristic that galore group see a dealbreaker: Rivian doesn't connection Apple CarPlay aliases Android Auto. Unfortunately, that doesn't alteration pinch nan brand's latest package update, but Rivian hopes integrating autochthonal Google Maps functionality will calm nan cries for smartphone integration. The update does not bring nan Google Maps that you person connected your phone, though. It's still Rivian's autochthonal navigation system, conscionable now utilizing Google Maps information to amended things, including EV-specific features for illustration scope calculations, charging information, and charging preferences. While immoderate automakers for illustration Aston Martin are going all-in connected CarPlay, Rivian is sticking to its guns and avoiding its integration, moreover pinch this caller update. Will it beryllium capable to triumph complete nan smartphone-addicted non-believers?

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are annoyingly brilliant. They streamline nan personification interface betwixt your phone, a instrumentality that you apt usage for respective hours each day, and your car. When group inquire maine for car buying advice, I inquire them what features they want from a caller car and astir of nan clip their reply is "I don't really attraction arsenic agelong arsenic it has Apple CarPlay," truthful Rivian Navigation pinch Google Maps has a batch riding connected its success. By nan sound of it, it should astatine slightest beryllium an betterment complete nan preexisting navigation system. It's being rolled retired via an over-the-air update to each R1T pickups and R1S SUVs starting today, some nan pre-facelift and newer "Gen 2" models.

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Rivian owners person complained connected various forums astir nan representation package for a agelong clip now, and bringing Google Maps into nan operation should reside those complaints. It offers useful information including your scope connected arrival, charging stops and preferences, charging information, charging score, and Rivian Mobile App–based travel planning. Some of nan app-based features do require a subscription to Rivian's Connect+ program, which costs $15 a period aliases $150 a year.

The "range connected arrival" characteristic uses information from nan owner's circumstantial vehicle, driving style, and different preferences to connection nan astir meticulous predictions of really overmuch scope will stay astatine nan extremity of a trip. It besides takes into relationship what accessories for illustration trailers are successful use. Owners tin now take whether they want to spot their scope displayed successful percentage, distance, aliases some metrics. Charging stops and preferences are considered too, allowing owners to curate routes based connected their ain unsocial needs. This takes into information amended chargers, typical preferences to suit individual charging needs, and comfortableness levels pinch really overmuch scope remains upon arrival.

The caller maps will see real-time information for charging networks utilizing plug-in information from different Rivians to find really reliable a peculiar charging tract is, and it ranks chargers on nan way to supply nan champion chances astatine a soft travel while minimizing charger-based hiccups. All of these caller features are integrated into nan maps pinch Rivian's circumstantial creation connection that includes topography and colors, and it allegedly improves "glanceability" and easier entree to important information.

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Other benefits of bringing Google into nan operation see accordant connectivity to postulation information and tappable points of interest. When owners prime their destination and statesman their journey, nan representation will now continuously show postulation information successful nan inheritance to guarantee nan driver remains connected nan quickest route. If, for example, an mishap occurs connected nan selected route, nan maps will now automatically reroute to debar nan postulation jam and support nan existent presence clip arsenic adjacent to nan original estimate arsenic possible. From lane closures to building to accidents, your maps will support things moving arsenic efficiently arsenic possible.

Prior to this update, Rivians already utilized Google Maps information for elaborate accusation connected points of interest, but now owners tin pat points of liking connected nan representation to study much astir hours, reviews, and interaction accusation for astir 250 cardinal places astir nan world. This is enhanced pinch outer imagery from Google Maps to thief drivers easy orient themselves pinch nan astir up-to-date outer imagery.

Rivian

Rivian doubtlessly hopes these updates will quell nan cries for smartphone integration and person much buyers to take Rivian, but arsenic of now, Rivian Navigation pinch Google Maps still won't see Google Built-In aliases sound adjunct capabilities. Even different manufacturers that don't connection smartphone integration connection Google Built-In, but Rivian's Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid told The Drive, "We're actively moving connected a holistic in-vehicle sound adjunct that offers navigation support and overmuch more."

Other notable EV-makers for illustration General Motors and Tesla besides forego Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integrations, which is understandable to immoderate extent. Smoothly integrating proprietary exertion from Apple and Google into a car manufacturer's merchandise tin beryllium challenging, particularly erstwhile that trademarked package has its ain bid of updates that tin create caller bugs. Beyond that, nan modern type of a golden unreserved is taking spot pinch personification data, and carmakers want that information each to themselves. Carmakers want to cognize what features owners are using, but erstwhile owners are utilizing Apple CarPlay aliases Android Auto, that personification information goes elsewhere. In an question and reply with MotorTrend, Bensaid defended Rivian's determination to debar smartphone integration, saying, 

"It's been an intentional prime since time 1 to build each our ain electronics in-house and past build nan end-to-end package stack that powers these electronics. Software is astatine nan halfway of nan acquisition we supply to customers, and information is astatine nan halfway of what enables package to tally well. The truth that each azygous relationship successful nan conveyance is done done software, being capable to cod that information allows america to continuously amended nan performance."