Rivian Connect+ pricing = $14.99 monthly / $149.99 annually

[SANZC02]

Only thing I use (or even care about) on the C+ list today is streaming TuneIn, so I will just dump that and start using SXM on my phone, which is free for me. My phone has better streaming connectivity anyway.

It will be interesting if Rivian will change to allow connecting the Rivian to a hotspot while driving. Probably a lot of people would go that route if given an option.

Tesla changed that a few years ago when 3g started aging out.

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[elektrode]

Now I’m wondering… do we currently have Alexa Basic or Alexa Connect? Whatever it is, it sucks.

“Alexa Mid” - that sh1t is mid AF

(Practicing my GenZ lingo)

 

[Supratachophobia]

We need Plex, that would make the $15 impossible not to get.

 

[MXA121]

Services with ongoing costs are the few I can stomach a subscription for. This isn't like BMW charging you monthly for heated seats.

But as I mentioned earlier, this wouldn't be such a talking point if they were more upfront about it at the time of purchase. On my 2015 Model S I had free connectivity for life. When I bought my 2019 I was told I'd have 30 days of free premium connectivity it and then I'd have to subscribe. After the trial I paid for it because it's worth it, and I'll still pay for Connect+ (though I also think it should only be $100/year), but the change from free to pay leaves a bad taste in owners' mouths as they did not disclose this very well. Heck, I don't think they're even disclosing it very well now.

This is a slightly less worse version of the companies that sold smart devices with no subscription and then dropped a subscription bomb on everyone after they're all hooked into the ecosystem. If it was always an unsustainable business model to offer a free service on the basis of recouping costs in another manner, then it was just a bad business model; that's not the customer's fault.

I agree. This is really the first I'm reading I may be charged for something that works without a fee today. I just assumed our Gen 1 trucks would carry on as they are. I'm cool with no more updates, thanks.

 

[VSG]

We need Plex, that would make the $15 impossible not to get.

I mean you can use Plex right now, through Alexa. That's what I do ... I stream all my own music and playlists. Sure there's no dedicated in-vehicle app for that, but that's one less thing that might go wrong ...

 

[Chewy734]

I mean you can use Plex right now, through Alexa. That's what I do ... I stream all my own music and playlists. Sure there's no dedicated in-vehicle app for that, but that's one less thing that might go wrong ...

I was thinking Plex for video, and the ability to connect to our home server (if we have one).

They also need enable video on the rear screen (while driving) for the kiddos in the 2nd row.

 

[Summi99]

Wish it was free for life on at least launch edition Rivians.

 

[John G.]

Wish it was free for life on at least launch edition Rivians.

Some call it Digital Feudalism, or Digital Extraction.

It is what it is, and it's happening in many different manufactured digital goods and services today.

“Your car's digital infrastructure is a costly, dangerous nightmare – but for automakers in pursuit of post capitalist utopia, it's a dream they can't give up on.”

Someone in another thread posted this link earlier. If you haven't already, be sure to read this:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/24/rent-to-pwn/#kitt-is-a-demon

 

[Summi99]

Some call it Digital Feudalism, or Digital Extraction.

It is what it is, and it's happening in many different manufactured digital goods and services today.

“Your car's digital infrastructure is a costly, dangerous nightmare – but for automakers in pursuit of post capitalist utopia, it's a dream they can't give up on.”

Someone in another thread posted this link earlier. If you haven't already, be sure to read this:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/24/rent-to-pwn/#kitt-is-a-demon

Good read. I’m already paying so many subscriptions and also Tesla $10 a month. This will sure add up. Personally I’ll try to use Spotify via Bluetooth and be prepared.
will cut down $25 a month. $300 a year is not a bad save.
i currently only use Spotify on both Tesla and Rivian.

 

[MidnightRivian]

This explains why the stock went up 8% today.

This $14.99 subscription will be the game changer we need to make it to R2 production go live date.

/s


In reality, I am fine with the annual charge since I do regularly use media streaming and hotspot.

 

[SASSquatch]

Yes, it looks like they're nerfing our features if we don't pay. Tesla did the same thing several years ago. Cars used to come with free connectivity to do streaming music and video, satellite maps, and traffic visualization, but now you pay $10/mo or $100/year to do that. Unlike Rivian it seems, Tesla grandfathered in the earlier cars into having free premium connectivity for life.

It's strange that Connect+ is being announced like it's bringing these new features out that have actually always been available, but now you have to pay for them.

It would have been nice if Rivian had made this free for Gen 1 buyers like Tesla did with their early supporters. That said, they need the revenue.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Spotify has increased their subscription slightly, higher than Apple Music. Since Connect+ supposedly get us Atmos with Apple Music, I might switch. There's an app out there that makes porting your Spotify playlists easy, the app's name escapes me at the moment.

 

[CBRacerX]

It's not something that's been relayed during delivery, or at least not at mine which was after the 6/4 announcement.

Same. Took delivery this week and it was not mentioned at all.

 

[azbill]

It will be interesting if Rivian will change to allow connecting the Rivian to a hotspot while driving. Probably a lot of people would go that route if given an option.

Tesla changed that a few years ago when 3g started aging out.

My Hummer has that capability, although I have not used it. Some people have 5G hotspots just for better connectivity. All my vehicles have ATT, which is the worst provider. T Mobil and Verizon are much better.

 

[SANZC02]

It would have been nice if Rivian had made this free for Gen 1 buyers like Tesla did with their early supporters. That said, they need the revenue.

I have an early Tesla, it has free lifetime premium data and lifetime free Supercharging. The one negative to both of those from a company perspective is it has made me hang onto this vehicle instead of purchasing a newer model.

I think a better plan from a company perspective for early adopters would be free for a limited time, say 3 or 4 years. By the time I have to pay I’ll be in my second year already so I‘m fine with it.

I think another thing they should look into is offering prepaid options when you buy the vehicle. The data plan is 149 a year, 10 years would be 1500 dollars so they could probably generate decent money offering say 8 years for 1k. They could probably look at adding a RAN discount to the plan, I rarely use the RAN stations because they are not around where I usually drive but I would pay 200 a year for the data plan combined with a discounted RAN price (maybe 25 or 30%).

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