Google maps WTF

[Rivian Owner]

Besides the point, but... The rare times I didn't get my Amazon package, it had nothing to do with Amazon or Alexa. But everything to do with the driver not paying attention to building numbers, street names, or simply failing to read a map (since I live in a condo community where every building and unit/door looks exactly the same, except for number and street).

Well Barnum, you are lucky! I've had the Amazon drivers show me their ap with the incorrect coordinates, showing my neighbor's house for my packages. I canceled prime and I'll order from anyone else if I can find what I need as Amazon's (the Big A) success rate at delivering correctly was below 50%. It makes me think AWS is just more hype from their marketing department.

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[waitingonanr1s]

Well Barnum, you are lucky! I've had the Amazon drivers show me their ap with the incorrect coordinates, showing my neighbor's house for my packages. I canceled prime and I'll order from anyone else if I can find what I need as Amazon's (the Big A) success rate at delivering correctly was below 50%. It makes me think AWS is just more hype from their marketing department.

Agree with cancelling Prime. They give you lots of free trials when you do (or very cheap trials). I also avoid using Amazon, but typically when I need to, they offer a free or reduced prime membership for 2-4 weeks. Order what I need and then immediately cancel (you still get the full 2-4 weeks). This is the best way.

 

[Singletracker]

I'm a bit concerned about the amount of "spying" google does, after integrating it with my home. But compared to Alexa, I'd much rather have it in my car.

“A bit concerned”? Hell, I’m a lot more than a bit concerned about Rivian getting into bed with Google on this whole maps issue. Rivian owes its loyal Rivian owners a more secure mapping system option. We shouldn’t be forced to open up to a company whose historical business model has always been scavenging people’s personal data to then monetize it. I tried messing with the Google Maps in my R1T, doing some trial routing, and it was a joke. I‘ll take another look, just for the heck of it, but I think it expects me to associate with my personal Google account (which I don’t have) to get proper functionality. Of course it would. I’ll just open up my life and invite Google in to snoop around Screw that! See attached screen shots and tell me which company you feel more comfortable dealing with.

As far as Alexa is concerned, I wouldn’t touch that app with a 10’ pole, either. But, I get why Rivian has Alexa, as Amazon was/is a huge Rivian initial investor.

 

[Rivian Owner]

“A bit concerned”? Hell, I’m a lot more than a bit concerned about Rivian getting into bed with Google on this whole maps issue. Rivian owes its loyal Rivian owners a more secure mapping system option. We shouldn’t be forced to open up to a company whose historical business model has always been scavenging people’s personal data to then monetize it. I tried messing with the Google Maps in my R1T, doing some trial routing, and it was a joke. I‘ll take another look, just for the heck of it, but I think it expects me to associate with my personal Google account (which I don’t have) to get proper functionality. Of course it would. I’ll just open up my life and invite Google in to snoop around Screw that! See attached screen shots and tell me which company you feel more comfortable dealing with.

As far as Alexa is concerned, I wouldn’t touch that app with a 10’ pole, either. But, I get why Rivian has Alexa, as Amazon was/is a huge Rivian initial investor.

A couple of years ago I read an article where they took a Ford's infotainment system apart and looked at all the stored data and the data sent to Ford, it was unbelievable the data they captured. Most any modern vehicle has the same capability to spy on the users of the vehicle, data is big money regardless of whether you're using Google Maps or some other program. Motor Trend recently had an article about how vehicle manufacturers are backing away from working with the tech giants because the vehicle manufactures want the revenue from the data. So if you don't want to be spied on, maybe the best option is to shop for an old Yugo or '57 VW bug?

What we really need is some common sense legislation that would require companies to have you opt in to collect your data. I think in the UK and Europe this is the way they've structured their laws, you opt in if you want to give your life away for free. Right now, in the US, we have to find all the loop holes and have a law degree to understand and opt out of all the spying. I think if more people realized what their data is worth, they'd be writing their politicians and forcing them to pass some common sense legislation.

 

[mkhuffman]

 

[Singletracker]

A couple of years ago I read an article where they took a Ford's infotainment system apart and looked at all the stored data and the data sent to Ford, it was unbelievable the data they captured. Most any modern vehicle has the same capability to spy on the users of the vehicle, data is big money regardless of whether you're using Google Maps or some other program. Motor Trend recently had an article about how vehicle manufacturers are backing away from working with the tech giants because the vehicle manufactures want the revenue from the data. So if you don't want to be spied on, maybe the best option is to shop for an old Yugo or '57 VW bug?

What we really need is some common sense legislation that would require companies to have you opt in to collect your data. I think in the UK and Europe this is the way they've structured their laws, you opt in if you want to give your life away for free. Right now, in the US, we have to find all the loop holes and have a law degree to understand and opt out of all the spying. I think if more people realized what their data is worth, they'd be writing their politicians and forcing them to pass some common sense legislation.

I totally agree! Modern cars, especially connected computers on wheels like Rivians, expose owners to a ton of data harvesting. No way around that, I’m afraid. It’s the same with a phone, computer, pad, that smart TV, or whatever. One can only try to minimize the bleeding. But, with Google, Rivian has compromised its customers by forcing one of the worst offenders down our throats. Heck, unless one accepts Google’s Privacy Policy to access the Rivian mapping, certain other GPS related features will cease working. It’s like the difference between petty theft and armed robbery. I just want to avoid the armed robber, if at all possible. I don’t appreciate Rivian opening my house to the armed robber.

 

[bigsky]

Whenever I have used Google Maps on my Teslas where there is no cell coverage, turn-by-turn instructions remain working always; map screen goes blank, but the route blue line stays on unaffected, working just the same. Once cell coverage resumes, map graphics display comes back automatically.

 

[mkg3]

Is there some setting that controls how real-time traffic is shown on the Google map?

I often use zoomed out view to get a better sense of the overall traffic picture. Both the Rivian's original map and Tesla map shows traffic when zoomed out. In the new (and unimproved in my view) Google map, many traffic colors are not shown unless zoomed in or near the original view. Also the map is in lower resolution when zoomed out.

I have had this problem several times not seeing the traffic from zoomed out view, when there is a heavy traffic - only to find out once I've zoomed back in, as I'm stuck in a bumper-to-bumper traffic.

 

[godfodder0901]

Is there some setting that controls how real-time traffic is shown on the Google map?

I often use zoomed out view to get a better sense of the overall traffic picture. Both the Rivian's original map and Tesla map shows traffic when zoomed out. In the new (and unimproved in my view) Google map, many traffic colors are not shown unless zoomed in or near the original view. Also the map is in lower resolution when zoomed out.

I have had this problem several times not seeing the traffic from zoomed out view, when there is a heavy traffic - only to find out once I've zoomed back in, as I'm stuck in a bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Were you navigating? IIRC it'll show it as desired if you are navigating. I wish it would show it all the time as well, but this may be a good work around.

 

[mkg3]

Were you navigating? IIRC it'll show it as desired if you are navigating. I wish it would show it all the time as well, but this may be a good work around.

No am not navigating. It's mainly for commute traffic and known locations.

The bird-eyes view provides a good indication of any unusual traffic on a known path. I now double check the path on my iPhone traffic to see if Rivian's Google map is not showing something.

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