Rivian is bringing Apple Music with spatial audio to its CarPlay-free EVs

Rivian isn’t offering phone mirroring features like Apple CarPlay in its electric vehicles, so the company is rolling out a new software update today that adds built-in support for Apple Music streaming, which could ease customers’ connectivity itch. .

Last month, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said in Decoder that CarPlay cannot leverage other parts of the vehicle experience and takes control away from automakers. In this case, control comes in the form of a paid subscription service, required to enjoy some of the features available on Rivian’s big Android-based infotainment screen.

Apple Music’s new native app, which includes support for spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, was released after Rivian unveiled its new Connect Plus data subscription in June. In an email to The edgeRivian product spokesperson Courtney Richardson wrote that Connect Plus is necessary for Gen 2 vehicles to have “native app experiences like Apple Music and streaming connectivity no matter where the vehicle travels.”

When asked about the difference between connectivity for Gen 1 owners, who can already listen to music on apps like Spotify anywhere without an additional subscription, Richardson shared the same information. available on the Rivian website. Many Rivian owners have enjoyed the included data services thanks to the Rivian membership, which the company said it is discontinuing.

It looks like all R1T and R1S vehicle owners will soon need Connect Plus to stream their media apps anywhere and continue using the vehicle’s built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Rivian vehicles can run apps like TuneIn and Amazon Audible and will soon have native YouTube and Google Cast support – as long as owners subscribe to Connect Plus.

To help facilitate the switch, Rivian is extending a new two-month free trial of Connect Plus to all Rivian owners starting today. This means that drivers with Apple Music subscriptions can go ahead and use their car’s built-in data for a bit before having to pay more for the privilege. After the free trial, Connect Plus will cost $14.99 per month or $149.99 annually.

Rivian isn’t the only company encouraging customers to sign up for connectivity subscriptions. Tesla had long included unlimited data in its vehicles before switching to a $99-per-year Premium subscription (although early Tesla owners continue to enjoy unlimited plans).

But neither company offers CarPlay or Android Auto, which can mirror your phone’s screen and use its services on your car’s screen – so you never have to worry about unpredictable changes in the automotive world.

For those who don’t want to pay extra, RivianTrackr reports the company will allow native media apps to work when connected to a separate Wi-Fi hotspot. You can also try mounting your phone and connecting the audio with Bluetooth for a more 2013 experience.