Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Solution is Coming Soon... (seriously) -- by EV Play

[EV Play - Alex]

How much and release date?

Pre-order information will start rolling out in the next week or so. Make sure to sign up for our interest list on the Website.

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[onesoil]

Just the main one at launch but all screens will be available in the future via plug and play "expansion modules."

I was actually on the fence for a while as to which screen to launch with -- the main screen or the instrument cluster. Both worked, but watching videos, online gaming, etc. on the main screen is a better experience, for obvious reasons.

That’s awesome! Can you modify existing Rivian UI, or just display CarPlay/AA? Also, do you have access to things like locking behavior, climate control, etc?

I ask about the latter two items because I have been begging for two features to anyone who will listen (mostly falling on deaf ears, seemingly, with Rivian anyways):

-Location based locking behaviors that I would call “trusted locations.” This would allow you to not have auto proximity locking at work, a second home, worksite, etc.

-Climate keep, possibly on a timer like the outlets, or even a quick single pet mode button (that doesn’t require a swipe and three taps to activate every single time you put the truck in park). Basically some way to leave your truck “running” while you’re in and out of it running errands, working on something, with friends/family in the truck while you go in a store, etc. this being especially irritating not to have when it’s very hot or cold out.

When I recently learned about the S3XY buttons for Tesla, my first thought was that I hoped someone would be able to hack Rivian’s to have access to their features at a similar depth some day. Maybe (??) that’s just what you’ve done?

Either way, this looks super cool! I had a CarPlay screen for about a week and decided another large screen was one too many, and really ruined the clean dashboard aesthetic for me, as well as adding more visual distraction. This is the integrated solution that might get me back to being excited about CarPlay again. Well done!

 

[EV Play - Alex]

To add another question... On your site, you mention that Connect+ will be needed.

Why? AA/CP both use the cellular service of the device broadcasting.

The Website definitely does NOT say that. Connect+ is not needed because yes, AA/CP - and other apps you tether - use your phone's cellular or wifi connection. However, if you want to watch a movie using a native app like Netflix, or have the kids play an online game like Roblox or Minecraft, then EV Play will need some sort of internet connection. That can be a wifi signal from your phone/home/Starbucks/whatever, or your Rivian's hotspot via Connect+.

 

[EV Play - Alex]

quoting this, because I have the same question. looked to be a little lag on CarPlay, is it just the video or is there some? Can that be optimized?

I noticed that too. It definitely looks more laggy in the video then the real interaction. It's about the same as interacting with the Rivian UI, although let's face it, the Rivian UI isn't the most responsive sometimes. I can only work with what I have been given! ?

 

[EV Play - Alex]

That’s awesome! Can you modify existing Rivian UI, or just display CarPlay/AA? Also, do you have access to things like locking behavior, climate control, etc?

I ask about the latter two items because I have been begging for two features to anyone who will listen (mostly falling on deaf ears, seemingly, with Rivian anyways):

-Location based locking behaviors that I would call “trusted locations.” This would allow you to not have auto proximity locking at work, a second home, worksite, etc.

-Climate keep, possibly on a timer like the outlets, or even a quick single pet mode button (that doesn’t require a swipe and three taps to activate every single time you put the truck in park). Basically some way to leave your truck “running” while you’re in and out of it running errands, working on something, with friends/family in the truck while you go in a store, etc. this being especially irritating not to have when it’s very hot or cold out.

When I recently learned about the S3XY buttons for Tesla, my first thought was that I hoped someone would be able to hack Rivian’s to have access to their features at a similar depth some day. Maybe (??) that’s just what you’ve done?

Either way, this looks super cool! I had a CarPlay screen for about a week and decided another large screen was one too many, and really ruined the clean dashboard aesthetic for me, as well as adding more visual distraction. This is the integrated solution that might get me back to being excited about CarPlay again. Well done!

To clarify, EV Play is capable of a LOT more than just AA/CP, but I get what you are asking. No, it doesn't change the existing UI.

I would personally love to have both the features you mentioned although those are probably best left to Rivian to implement. I know better to never say never, but for the immediate future I'm drawing a very, very blurry line at infotainment.

 

[EV Play - Alex]

My bet is that anything that disintermediates a revenue generating service like Connect+ is not going to get a green light to be integrated so tightly, but I am not the developer.

If anything, this might move more people towards a Connect+ membership. It certainly did for me and I was firmly in the "never in a million years" camp. To be clear, you don't need one; however, with all the native apps now at your disposal, it may finally make sense to get one.

 

[EV Play - Alex]

This looks really interesting and I've subscribed on the site but have never received any information from it, so I'll ask here:

- What happens to steering wheel audio controls while in CarPlay? Can you still use them to control the volume and skip forward and back?

Yes, steering wheel controls all work.

 

[EV Play - Alex]

Looks great.

Early March now, what the updated release date?

Getting there, will provide an update soon along with pre-order information.

 

[mkennedy1996]

There is a future world where EV Play connects directly to the audio system, but for now, it is Bluetooth.

With that said, EV Play will have HDMI, a 3.5mm mic/headphone jack, USB audio, and the potential to support high quality Bluetooth codecs. So the functionality to support great audio is there. We would just need Rivian to push an update with higher-res codecs, or, open their USB ports to allow audio aux inputs...then it's off to the races.

Or, someone in the community builds a device that interfaces with the amp. Any takers? ?

I used a similar type device with my Tesla. With it, I used the HDMI input to run a Firestick on the main display.

Would that be possible with EV Play?

 

[ActionableDave]

If anything, this might move more people towards a Connect+ membership. It certainly did for me and I was firmly in the "never in a million years" camp. To be clear, you don't need one; however, with all the native apps now at your disposal, it may finally make sense to get one.

100% agree, and it will offer the very best chance of receiving all of Rivian's support; I am looking forward to trying it out.

 

[sacramentoelectric]

There is a future world where EV Play connects directly to the audio system, but for now, it is Bluetooth.

With that said, EV Play will have HDMI, a 3.5mm mic/headphone jack, USB audio, and the potential to support high quality Bluetooth codecs. So the functionality to support great audio is there. We would just need Rivian to push an update with higher-res codecs, or, open their USB ports to allow audio aux inputs...then it's off to the races.

Or, someone in the community builds a device that interfaces with the amp. Any takers? ?

That's a shame. Understandable but it keeps this from being an ideal solution as there's a noticeable drop in audio quality when streaming over bluetooth compared to the native audio apps. I guess we can keep playing audio through the Rivian UI while using your UI for navigation, etc.

 

[EV Play - Alex]

I used a similar type device with my Tesla. With it, I used the HDMI input to run a Firestick on the main display.

Would that be possible with EV Play?

The HDMI on EV Play is an output, but, I have played around with an HDMI to USB adapter which sort of works. There is also a CSI port which might be a better route via an HDMI to CSI adapter. I would have to spend some time on it, or perhaps the community can.

At some point I'll release an Android TV variant and then you could run something like Kodi. So many cool features...so little time!

 

[EV Play - Alex]

That's a shame. Understandable but it keeps this from being an ideal solution as there's a noticeable drop in audio quality when streaming over bluetooth compared to the native audio apps. I guess we can keep playing audio through the Rivian UI while using your UI for navigation, etc.

Apple Music and Tidal aside, in my experience, as well as many users on Reddit (if they are to be believed!), apps like Spotify and Amazon Music sound *better* playing from the phone over BT, vs. the native apps. I'm sure someone has done this, but you would need to dig into the streaming bandwidth that Connect+ vs. your phone (cellular) provides. Connect+ is 4G, your phone can utilize 5G. I would hazard a guess that the BT codec isn't the limiting factor at the end of the day. Others far more knowledgeable on this please chime in.

 

[sacramentoelectric]

Apple Music and Tidal aside, in my experience, as well as many users on Reddit (if they are to be believed!), apps like Spotify and Amazon Music sound *better* playing from the phone over BT, vs. the native apps. I'm sure someone has done this, but you would need to dig into the streaming bandwidth that Connect+ vs. your phone (cellular) provides. Connect+ is 4G, your phone can utilize 5G. I would hazard a guess that the BT codec isn't the limiting factor at the end of the day. Others far more knowledgeable on this please chime in.

My experience is with Apple Music and the difference between native and BT is obvious. I'm running my data through a 5g hotspot rather than connect+ so that's not a factor.

I'm curious how a hybrid implementation would work with your adapter. In my current setup, when I'm listening to Apple Music through the native app and running Waze on my phone, the announcements from Waze play over bluetooth and the Rivian system will play them over my native audio. It works fine except it would be great if I could use the main screen rather than my iphone screen. If that's the way your EV Play adapter works, then I don't see a problem other than not being able to manage the music interface through CarPlay.

 

[KW_88_SS]

I personally wouldn't do this but I do wonder what the risks associated with using this "Android-based hardware device?" Specifically:

Might Rivian detect this modification and void the vehicle's warranty?

This reminds me of ECU unlocking/tuning for traditional vehicles, but updated for the EV era.

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