Alexa, Navigation and LTE Subscription (or lack of)

[BigginsCH]

Eventually Rivian will turn off LTE connectivity without subscription. What will happen with Alexa if we don't subscribe to LTE in our trucks? Can I still use Alexa and Navigation but it will draw data from my Bluetooth connected phone?

Half the time Alexa can't get a strong LTE signal anyways, I would much rather that in truck voice prompts played music from my phone's apps via Bluetooth at this point.

Curious how much truck functionality requires a decent LTE signal vs "offline" mode or connecting through my phone's signal.

Sponsored

 

[Madsen203]

Tesla allows you to connect to your phone hot spot for network. Presume Tivian will do the same.

 

[VSG]

Eventually Rivian will turn off LTE connectivity without subscription.

Assumption. They haven't given any details yet about what the subscription covers and what it doesn't. While it makes sense that they ask us to pay for the hotspot eventually, it doesn't make much sense to make customers pay for essential basic features of the car like navigation or voice control.

 

[jtshaw]

I’d be surprised in navigation stops working or if they disable Alexa without a subscription. I’d also suspect you’ll be able to connect the vehicle to your Phone Wi-Fi hotspot if you want to stream music.

One interesting I did notice in a Hertz rental Model Y without their premium connectivity was that streamed worked while tethered to my phone but nothing would let me get traffic aware navigation. In LA that was terrible. I’d hope Rivian doesn’t arbitrarily link traffic aware to a sub, but I’m also sure I’ll pay for connectivity regardless.

 

[COdogman]

I predict Amazon and Rivian will graciously allow you to keep using anything that tracks what you do and where you go. Probably for free… Other extras like traffic reports and additional features (things that YOU want) will probably cost more.

Sponsored