Connect+... A Little Perspective

[mkg3]

Ever since Rivian implemented Connect+ 3 month free trial, there have been multiple threads about the fee.

These threads goes everything from should be free on near $100k vehicle to bait and switch. Many workaround and now not to subscribe and not miss it.

I was annoyed with the notion initially, like many, then I got over it and just paid the annual $150 and was done with it. Not worth the irritation. My Tesla is grandfathered (2018) so I do not pay for the LTE connection. Maybe I would have had worse reaction if it was yet another subscription for Rivian on the top of Tesla.

I do get it. Its leaves a bad taste to have something that was provided initially as a part of the vehicle experience and now have to pay for it to remain as is. Some have even said they would get rid of the vehicle over this - really???

The way I look at it is that Rivian honored the pre-March reservation holders the old price and the cost difference between the pre- and post-price change is so significant that not grandfathering those of us that have had R1 for period time is fine. Further, the subscription trend is not a new thing for autos. Just about every make has some service that charges monthly/annually, regardless of vehicle price.

It would be a good gesture if Rivian had a setting such that it automatically connects to the phone hotspot as you enter the vehicle for those that did not subscribed. Just like how BT connects automatically. At least it will remove the hassle of having to manually connect each time, as long as the phone is set up to allow auto connect with password.

Venting is healthy and people are voting with their dollars so maybe Rivian will come up with a new scheme to cover the connections costs over time...

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[SANZC02]

Ever since Rivian implemented Connect+ 3 month free trial, there have been multiple threads about the fee.

These threads goes everything from should be free on near $100k vehicle to bait and switch. Many workaround and now not to subscribe and not miss it.

I was annoyed with the notion initially, like many, then I got over it and just paid the annual $150 and was done with it. Not worth the irritation. My Tesla is grandfathered (2018) so I do not pay for the LTE connection. Maybe I would have had worse reaction if it was yet another subscription for Rivian on the top of Tesla.

I do get it. Its leaves a bad taste to have something that was provided initially as a part of the vehicle experience and now have to pay for it to remain as is. Some have even said they would get rid of the vehicle over this - really???

The way I look at it is that Rivian honored the pre-March reservation holders the old price and the cost difference between the pre- and post-price change is so significant that not grandfathering those of us that have had R1 for period time is fine. Further, the subscription trend is not a new thing for autos. Just about every make has some service that charges monthly/annually, regardless of vehicle price.

It would be a good gesture if Rivian had a setting such that it automatically connects to the phone hotspot as you enter the vehicle for those that did not subscribed. Just like how BT connects automatically. At least it will remove the hassle of having to manually connect each time, as long as the phone is set up to allow auto connect with password.

Venting is healthy and people are voting with their dollars so maybe Rivian will come up with a new scheme to cover the connections costs over time...

Question, does it not automatically connect when it sees the SID? I have not tested this, I connected to my phone but then deleted the configuration after my test, but when I pull into my garage at 2 different locations where the WiFi is configured it automatically connects to those networks.

I paid for Connect+ because when I was at Yellowstone I saw how much more coverage the vehicle antenna gives you over the cell phone. Figured it was worth it just for that aspect.

 

[Ingo B]

To be fair, they were very clear about free Connect+ being finite. The real winners are the first gen early adopters. They had the longest duration of free connectivity, free Rivian charging, extra 12V connectors, and a powered tonneau.

I ended up subscribing as well because it's cheaper than converting my current plan to unlimited. Plus, with Rivian using AT&T, it adds diversity to my access in case Verizon doesn't work.

 

[tate16t]

See this thread to automate connecting an iPhone.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...rk-normally-without-paying-for-connect.31618/

 

[TexasBob]

For me, I love how Rivian is handling this. Unlike other automakers, it first enabled phone tethering and then started charging for connectivity. So you can use your own phone or you can pay for the Rivian phone service. Fair enough. I wish Tesla would do the same.

For me, I am a happy tether-er. If I start busting through my 50 GB hotspot monthly limit, I will have to revisit, but that seems exceptionally unlikely.

 

[foxerson]

I have had two other vehicles with “connected services”. One GM OnStar and the other Audi Connect. In both cases I didn’t think the benefits were valuable enough to justify the cost.

With Rivian Connect+ I had no qualms about subscribing. It’s a great set of services.

Bonus, I got 19 months for free before having to pay up with the R1T given my March 2023 delivery date.

 

[Mkreaden]

Rivian and Tesla vehicles are designed to improve over time (via OTA updates). The subscription model allows them to monetize this continuous innovation for those that value said innovation. The demographic of a Rivian and Tesla owner is receptive to this early adopter and/or techie profile. The future is here and your expectations should be that your driving experience should improve over time. IMO - This is a win-win from the consumer and manufacturer standpoint.

 

[SwampNut]

See this thread to automate connecting an iPhone.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...rk-normally-without-paying-for-connect.31618/

There's no need for all that. This is a lot of work for nothing. There's simply no reason to not just leave your hotspot feature turned on. There's no security issue, there's no problem with power usage. It just works. Mine has been always-on for years as I use it for several devices and they just connect automatically.

 

[bigsky]

To be fair, they were very clear about free Connect+ being finite. The real winners are the first gen early adopters. They had the longest duration of free connectivity, free Rivian charging, extra 12V connectors, and a powered tonneau.

I ended up subscribing as well because it's cheaper than converting my current plan to unlimited. Plus, with Rivian using AT&T, it adds diversity to my access in case Verizon doesn't work.

I could tell you the many truly dead, expansive spots in my tristate area where not even AT&T has coverage. Alexa are you there?
"I am not connected to the Internet."

 

[rkalbiar]

I leave my phone hotspot on all the time but my Rivians do not automatically connect. I have to fiddle with them every time I get in. Is this normal?

 

[bigsky]

It is all about supply and demand. Rivian supplies Internet data service, Rivian now demands $150.
It is up to everybody to decide for herself/himself how useful and necessary it is. I myself still have not had a chance to evaluate it, but I hear that one thing that this service provides is native streaming of those music apps. I have Amazon Music Unlimited, and it is becoming clear to me that Alexa no longer might be able to stream that music, either without the Internet service premium. And my Alexa Song Quiz game might be gone too!
Will have to decide if BT, cell hotspot, whatever else does the job at least adequately and whether or not that effort will end up costing more than paying Rivian.

Please keep in mind that we early reservation holders AND Rivian both agreed on a set purchase price set by Rivian. As with everything else purchased, Rivian had no choice but to honor that price instead of wanting to rescind its obligation and jack up higher the said set price. Rivian did us no favor, that's how the system works.

Nothing wrong at all with questioning petty charges and feeling nickel-and-dimed. Many out there are very picky and very selective about where to spend money, however gazillions much or little, and on what instead of tacitly accepting every new charge under the sun, however small, as a given. And there are great $ benefits being so .

 

[Ingo B]

I could tell you the many truly dead, expansive spots in my tristate area where not even AT&T has coverage. Alexa are you there?
"I am not connected to the Internet."

I've had the opposite problem out here. I know there are no guarantees, but at least I have a second option. That whole "eggs in one basket" thing and all...

 

[Cbristow]

I have had two other vehicles with “connected services”. One GM OnStar and the other Audi Connect. In both cases I didn’t think the benefits were valuable enough to justify the cost.

With Rivian Connect+ I had no qualms about subscribing. It’s a great set of services.

Bonus, I got 19 months for free before having to pay up with the R1T given my March 2023 delivery date.

Exactly this. Onstar and Audi Connect are failed business models. IMHO, Rivian us being short sighted here.

 

[misterturbo]

I leave my phone hotspot on all the time but my Rivians do not automatically connect. I have to fiddle with them every time I get in. Is this normal?

You're not alone, this is intentional design.

 

[bigsky]

Tempted to say, you sure about that (coverage everywhere)?
As long as you are on an interstate, you are very likely to get cell coverage and thus Internet service and everything working. But even the interstate through my area has long dead zones where nothing works, no reception. Venture off the interstates onto the back roads, and pretty much good luck getting any cell coverage at all. Happens with my Teslas; happens with my R1S.

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