Rivian brings Apple Music with spatial audio to its CarPlay-less electric vehicles

Rivian doesn’t offer phone mirroring features like Apple CarPlay in its electric vehicles. Instead, the company is rolling out a new software update today that adds built-in support for Apple Music streaming, which could satisfy customers’ desire for connectivity.

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

The new native Apple Music app, which also supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, will be launched after Rivian introduced its new Connect Plus data subscription in June. In an email to The edgeCourtney Richardson, a product spokesperson for Rivian, wrote that Connect Plus is required for second-generation vehicles to “have native app experiences like Apple Music and streaming connectivity no matter where the vehicle goes.”

When asked about the differences in connectivity for first-generation owners, who can already listen to music on the go in apps like Spotify without an additional subscription, Richardson shared the same information available on Rivian’s website. Many Rivian owners have enjoyed the included data services thanks to the Rivian Membership, which the company says it is phasing out.

It appears that all R1T and R1S vehicle owners will soon need Connect Plus to stream their media apps on the go and still be able to use 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 support for Google Cast – provided owners subscribe to Connect Plus.

To help ease the transition, Rivian is offering a new two-month free trial of Connect Plus to all Rivian owners starting today. That means drivers with Apple Music subscriptions can jam along to the car’s built-in data for a while before having to pay extra for the privilege. After the free trial, Connect Plus will cost $14.99 per month or $149.99 per year.

Rivian isn’t the only company offering connectivity subscriptions to its customers. Tesla had unlimited data in its vehicles for a long time before switching to a premium subscription for $99 per year (though early Tesla owners still benefit from unlimited plans).

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

For those who do not want to pay extra, RivianTrackr reports that the company will let native media apps work when connected to a separate Wi-Fi hotspot. You can also try mounting your phone and connecting audio via Bluetooth for an experience that feels more like 2013.