Bye Bye Alexa - being retired from Rivians as of August 4, 2026

[Skeldog99]

Got the email say this: On August 4, Rivian is retiring Alexa Built-in from all vehicles. To keep enjoying hands-free control, make the switch to Rivian Assistant1, now available through your Connect+ subscription

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[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Alexa implementation was poor to begin with. And Amazon itself moved on from Alexa to Alexa+. Even without C+ subscription, some “Hey Rivian” commands are still functional aren’t they? And Wassym has already said there will be a native Amazon Music app coming.

And is it so socking that Rivian, a business and one often criticized for being unprofitable, tries to monetize services?

It’s long expected of Rivian to sunset Alexa (and add services to existing C+ features). And just like any home or personal computing device, internet based services require internet connection and data bandwidth. None of which is free to Rivian. Each telecom and ISP requires a subscription fee. Nothing new.

Plus, every automaker has subscription based services that require connectivity. Even for less expensive cars. Some charge more than what Rivian charges for C+.

 

[forestwalker]

Good riddance.

 

[tate16t]

Rivian Assistant1? Was that a typo or did I miss something ?

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I was just cleaning off old videos from my phone last night and found a bunch of her being terrible. As someone else mentioned, good riddance. (although I do still hope we get native Amazon Music, Pandora, etc.).

 

[GRSmith]

Hoping to get Plexamp do I can stream my own music.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I was just cleaning off old videos from my phone last night and found a bunch of her being terrible. As someone else mentioned, good riddance. (although I do still hope we get native Amazon Music, Pandora, etc.).

SiriusXM bought Pandora in 2019. So Pandora should already be a part of that app? Not sure. I don’t use it and I migrated from Pandora to Spotify long ago because of Rivian.

 

[Noplacelikeloam]

So we are now forced to use RA? Jesus. Welcome to 2024 again.

 

[Skeldog99]

Rivian Assistant1? Was that a typo or did I miss something ?

1Rivian Assistant is an AI-powered feature used to assist with certain vehicle operations and features. This technology may occasionally provide inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated information. Use caution and independently verify any critical information. Available in English only. See Rivian's AI Use Terms for more information.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

GM’s OnStar Connect Plus starts at $25/mo. Even if you have a cheap GM/Chevy.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Look up GM’s OnStar. It starts at $50/mo.

It starts at $15/mo. It’s also free for 8 years.

I’m starting to think you purposefully spread misinformation.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

SiriusXM bought Pandora in 2019. So Pandora should already be a part of that app? Not sure. I don’t use it and I migrated from Pandora to Spotify long ago because of Rivian.

Alexa has a special integration for Pandora. You could say "Alexa, play Taylor Swift on Pandora" and she'd play it. Even had a Pandora logo on the screen. This wasn't something specific to Rivian.

I'm slowly leaning into Spotify. Not that RA has given us much choice in the matter.

 

[VSG]

Hoping to get Plexamp do I can stream my own music.

That's what I use Alexa for currently ...

So next week,
No more music services through Alexa (like Amazon Music and my Plex server).
The only way to play my music and other audio will be via (lower quality) Bluetooth from my phone.

I have 256Gb total storage on my phone, but that's not nearly enough for my music - although it's plenty for all the other things I rely on my phone for. And it doesn't work if I want to play audio from other devices. And regardless, it's a super expensive way to carry around music. Why should I need a $1000 phone instead of just a $20 USB stick? Putting all your eggs in one basket is a bad way to carry eggs ...

We really need a digital Line In for high quality interference free audio playback. Not just for places where there is no cell service, but for non-generic high quality audio that isn't available on streaming services.

It would be great if Rivian enabled those USB ports now that they've taken away my Plex option.

 

[CrazyOne]

This is a downgrade. Rivian assistant can't do music services or audio books like Alexa does. They may have covered themselves with fine print, but this isn't what I bought.

If they only block it in next update, this will be my last update.

 

[mkhuffman]

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