Free data ending soon?

[Dark-Fx]

The data are not free...

Free as in beer because I am the product!

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[Mathme]

I've looked over the Rivian Website and didn't see anything that'd be listed as an upcoming charge. Does the collective wisdom out there know what Rivian is wanting to charge data for? Is it in cabin Wifi? Music data function? GPS function? Some sort of combo of all the above?

 

[Hillbilly]

I won't give a penny of my money (if it's optional) to at&t. F 'em.

 

[hponnam]

I hate the fact that Rivian disabled wifi when driving. This will stop us using mobile hotspot for listening to music, traffic, etc.

 

[JayinNJ]

I got free premium lifetime connectivity on my Tesla Model 3. Would be great to get that again. They called it a wifi plan in the OP screenshot which is of course incorrect, unless they mean free wifi hotspot. That is something I have no use for and never even tried. That should be an additional cost and separate from connectivity of the streaming apps.

 

[moosetags]

I also think that Rivian should supply the vehicle connectivity at no additional cost. We should not have to pay extra for the vehicle to be operational. It would be fine to charge for a wifi hotspot and other optional services. My Silverado has an available hotspot if I choose to pay extra for it.

Brian

 

[godfodder0901]

I also think that Rivian should supply the vehicle connectivity at no additional cost. We should not have to pay extra for the vehicle to be operational. It would be fine to charge for a wifi hotspot and other optional services. My Silverado has an available hotspot if I choose to pay extra for it.

Brian

The vehicle does not require a connection to be operational. Some optional features require a data connection and this requires connection to additional infrastructure in order to operate. This connection is not free for Rivian (they pay AT&T for the connection), and it is reasonable for this cost to be passed on to, or shared with, the consumer of the service.

 

[Ladiver]

I will be very interested to see how this works out. There is no good way to play music through your phone, so the integrated apps are really the only option. I hope they at least allow tethering from your cell phone. I already get unlimited data there, so really don't want to be paying for additional data for the vehicle.

 

[JGard18]

I'm already not psyched with Rivian's software as it stands now. If they try to get us to start paying monthly/yearly to use this clearly inferior system, I'd get rid of this truck in a heartbeat. I'm already on the fence, as it is.

 

[electruck]

I'm already not psyched with Rivian's software as it stands now. If they try to get us to start paying monthly/yearly to use this clearly inferior system, I'd get rid of this truck in a heartbeat. I'm already on the fence, as it is.

This should't come as a surprise, they have clearly stated from the beginning that this was the plan.

 

[JGard18]

This should't come as a surprise, they have clearly stated from the beginning that this was the plan.

Oh for sure, but they also have promised lots of software features that are still missing.

 

[hekhl00]

I also think that Rivian should supply the vehicle connectivity at no additional cost. We should not have to pay extra for the vehicle to be operational. It would be fine to charge for a wifi hotspot and other optional services. My Silverado has an available hotspot if I choose to pay extra for it.

Brian

This has been the plan all along. It’s in their 10k filings. They believe there is revenue to made off in car adds and connectivity. IMHO it’s also why we don’t have CarPlay. With CarPlay we don’t need their infotainment system or a subscription. So soon we will not only have less iPhone connectivity than a 2012 Subaru, but we will get the privilege of paying for it.

 

[WorldComposting]

The real question is what will be free in the vehicle and what will you need to pay for? Will they have tiers?

Here is what I expect
Free:

• Basic Navigation (no traffic)
• Ability to use the app on your phone as it functions now

Paid:

• Hotspot
• Streaming music
• Live Traffic
• Navigation EV charger information

If this is the case then the Paid tier has zero interest as the Navigation is garbage from my experience. I don't have YouTube Music for streaming yet and with the unlimited data on all the phones in my household I never turned on the hotspot. I did have hotspot in my old vehicle when the kids had tablets so I understand every situation is different.

 

[Sevn86]

Maybe only free lifetime data for Launch Edition owners... ?

I’m good with that. lol

 

[Dark-Fx]

• Ability to use the app on your phone as it functions now

I think it's likely that the phone app may only communicate with your vehicle over bluetooth after this change goes into effect (if you aren't paying for data). If people don't like this and are too stingy to pay for the data, then by all means, they should be selling their vehicles.

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