I added CarPlay to my R1T

[logan]

I want screen projection, too, but I don’t think it’s fair to say, “This is ridiculous that we are dealing with this because Rivian…” when we made the choice to buy the vehicle KNOWING there was no screen projection offered or on the roadmap.

There are many times I’ve been annoyed by the lack of CarPlay, but I know that I could have prevented that annoyance by not buying a Rivian. If I had it to do over again, I’d still buy the Rivian because the rest of the vehicle is fantastic.

I keep hoping that Rivian will fix the nav vehicle marker continuing after the vehicle stops bug and add texting support. These are my two biggest pain points which screen projection would address instantly. The OTA update improvements I’ve seen from Rivian give me hope that they will get there.

edit:typo

FWIW, I don't think it is so black and white. Just like buying a house, taking a job, voting for a politician, or such. Just because it is the best available choice does not mean it is perfect and you should not try to change it or them. Also, at least when I got my Rivian the public statement was if enough people wanted carplay or android auto then ... I suppose that was not entirely true though. At least from what Ars Technica has said they know 80% of people want it and still have no intention of doing it.

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[racekarl]

Did you try connecting the bluetooth directly to the rivian while also using the carplay instead of proxying through the carplay unit? I do this and do not have choppy audio. I have not seen a downside and I use carplay every drive.

So you have your phone paired simultaneously with your Rivian and your CarPlay screen? Did you also connect the CarPlay screen to the Rivian via BT or just leave them disconnected?


If I go

iPhone -- BT/Wifi? --> CarPlay device -- BT --> Rivian

I get choppy audio

Are you suggesting:

iPhone -- BT/Wifi? --> CarPlay
|
|---- BT --> Rivian


(I am not sure what wireless transport the iPhone actually uses to communicate with the CarPlay device.)

Then if so, you just choose BT as the audio source in the Rivian and then control the iPhone via the CarPlay device?

 

[logan]

So you have your phone paired simultaneously with your Rivian and your CarPlay screen? Did you also connect the CarPlay screen to the Rivian via BT or just leave them disconnected?


If I go

iPhone -- BT/Wifi? --> CarPlay device -- BT --> Rivian

I get choppy audio

Are you suggesting:

iPhone -- BT/Wifi? --> CarPlay
|
|---- BT --> Rivian


(I am not sure what wireless transport the iPhone actually uses to communicate with the CarPlay device.)

Then if so, you just choose BT as the audio source in the Rivian and then control the iPhone via the CarPlay device?

Yes, that's what I do- the latter. Rivian is only BT paired with my phone. My phone is paired to carplay via BT/Wifi separately. I can control from either although I usually use the carplay head since it lets me do so much more but for a quick pause or next / previous track/song I use the steering wheel controls. (e.g. use carplay to switch between audible and sxm apps but use the steering wheel controls to switch songs.)

 

[racekarl]

Yes, that's what I do- the latter. Rivian is only BT paired with my phone. My phone is paired to carplay via BT/Wifi separately. I can control from either although I usually use the carplay head since it lets me do so much more but for a quick pause or next / previous track/song I use the steering wheel controls. (e.g. use carplay to switch between audible and sxm apps but use the steering wheel controls to switch songs.)

Thank you, I will give that a shot! I have been unable to update the BT stack on my device because the update only works on Android (I wonder about the thought process of a company that chose to make their CarPlay device only updatable via Android )

How does it work for answering incoming calls or initiating Siri to send texts?

 

[logan]

Thank you, I will give that a shot! I have been unable to update the BT stack on my device because the update only works on Android (I wonder about the thought process of a company that chose to make their CarPlay device only updatable via Android )

How does it work for answering incoming calls or initiating Siri to send texts?

Yeah, I don't know what they are thinking.

Answering calls, reading texts and replying to them is exactly the same as any carplay implementation. (Likewise for whatsapp which I use a lot due to family living abroad.) If I want to send a text I have to either click on the carplay head or say "Hey Siri" then it is normal. The biggest difference from say my bmw is that I have to touch the carplay head instead of having the nice bmw dial as a preferred alternative.

 

[SoCal Rob]

FWIW, I don't think it is so black and white. Just like buying a house, taking a job, voting for a politician, or such. Just because it is the best available choice does not mean it is perfect and you should not try to change it or them. Also, at least when I got my Rivian the public statement was if enough people wanted carplay or android auto then ... I suppose that was not entirely true though. At least from what Ars Technica has said they know 80% of people want it and still have no intention of doing it.

Again, I want screen projection (CarPlay for Apple devices and Android Auto for Android devices) and I’m not saying people shouldn’t ask Rivian for change which many people want. Provided we are asking Rivian in a constructive way via proper channels, of course.

What I wrote was objectively true and addressed this specific phrase, which I quoted before, “This is ridiculous that we are dealing with this because Rivian…”
Here’s the way this played out:
1. Rivian announced their vehicles and features. Screen projection was never mentioned as a current capability or even on the roadmap of future features.
2. We bought a Rivian knowing #1, above.
3. We “are dealing with this” because we chose to buy a Rivian and NOT because Rivian did anything to make us think that they had added or were in the process of adding screen projection.

Look at it this way: You had a GE refrigerator that had LED interior lighting which you really liked. You did some research and found a Frigidaire which met most/all requirements you had except it used incandescent lighting per the owner’s manual and many published reviews. Is it reasonable to buy the Frigidaire and then blame Frigidaire for your purchase decision? No, even if virtually all modern refrigerators have LED lighting and the one you bought doesn’t, because it was never presented as having that feature. You bought it knowing this was the reality so you caused the problem of you owning a vehicle without a feature you want, not Rivian.
Edit:typo

 

[logan]

Again, I want screen projection (CarPlay for Apple devices and Android Auto for Android devices) and I’m not saying people shouldn’t ask Rivian for change which many people want. Provided we are asking Rivian in a constructive way via proper channels, of course.

What I wrote was objectively true and addressed this specific phrase, which I quoted before, “This is ridiculous that we are dealing with this because Rivian…”
Here’s the way this played out:
1. Rivian announced their vehicles and features. Screen projection was never mentioned as a current capability or even on the roadmap of future features.
2. We bought a Rivian knowing #1, above.
3. We “are dealing with this” because we chose to buy a Rivian and NOT because Rivian did anything to make us think that they had added or were in the process of adding screen projection.

Look at it this way: You had a GE refrigerator that had LED interior lighting which you really liked. You did some research and found a Frigidaire which met most/all requirements you had except it used incandescent lighting per the owner’s manual and many published reviews. Is it reasonable to buy the Frigidaire and then blame Frigidaire for your purchase decision? No, even if virtually all modern refrigerators have LED lighting and the one you bought doesn’t, because it was never presented as having that feature. You bought it knowing this was the reality so you caused the problem of you owning a vehicle without a feature you want, not Rivian.
Edit:typo

Granted you make your choices based on what is available at the time and live with them. However, no one should fault someone- in a constructive fashion- for suggesting an improvement especially one that could be provided via software update and that the CEO even said he would add if that was the popular choice.

FWIW, those last two points are significant though too. The CEO did say if there was significant demand he would add it and it is an option to add via software update. Rivian has now admitted there is popular demand but they will not. Your example was different in that it was not described as we will add if popular demand or even possible since hardware is required. So, while I am not holding my breath and I love my truck. Totally fair in my mind for folks to push Rivian on this. In a constructive manner as you said.

 

[babylou]

Did you try connecting the bluetooth directly to the rivian while also using the carplay instead of proxying through the carplay unit? I do this and do not have choppy audio. I have not seen a downside and I use carplay every drive.

I did not see how to do so. I suppose I need to dig into a bit more.

Do you have any issues with drinks obstructing your view?

 

[babylou]

I want screen projection, too, but I don’t think it’s fair to say, “This is ridiculous that we are dealing with this because Rivian…” when we made the choice to buy the vehicle KNOWING there was no screen projection offered or on the roadmap.

There are many times I’ve been annoyed by the lack of CarPlay, but I know that I could have prevented that annoyance by not buying a Rivian. If I had it to do over again, I’d still buy the Rivian because the rest of the vehicle is fantastic.

I keep hoping that Rivian will fix the nav vehicle marker continuing after the vehicle stops bug and add texting support. These are my two biggest pain points which screen projection would address instantly. The OTA update improvements I’ve seen from Rivian give me hope that they will get there.

edit:typo

I had no idea the vehicle didn't have AA/CP nor any form of support for texting. I simply assumed it had this since all new cars do so. I also didn't check to see if it had power windows, etc, etc. Obviously this is on me but the BS Rivian response that they CAN provide a better system is crap.

 

[logan]

I did not see how to do so. I suppose I need to dig into a bit more.

Do you have any issues with drinks obstructing your view?

FWIW, I actually mounted mine on top like the OP. It only blocks my view of hood. I think, for myself, that it is safer to have it in a place where my primary field of view is the road.

 

[SoCal Rob]

Granted you make your choices based on what is available at the time and live with them. However, no one should fault someone- in a constructive fashion- for suggesting an improvement especially one that could be provided via software update and that the CEO even said he would add if that was the popular choice.

FWIW, those last two points are significant though too. The CEO did say if there was significant demand he would add it and it is an option to add via software update. Rivian has now admitted there is popular demand but they will not. Your example was different in that it was not described as we will add if popular demand or even possible since hardware is required. So, while I am not holding my breath and I love my truck. Totally fair in my mind for folks to push Rivian on this. In a constructive manner as you said.

I’m not faulting anyone for suggesting an improvement. What I wrote is specifically addressing, “This is ridiculous that we are dealing with this because Rivian…” that the because part isn’t Rivian, it’s the purchaser. We are dealing with the lack of CarPlay because we bought a vehicle without CarPlay. If you want CarPlay then almost all manufacturers selling in Canada and the U.S. provide it as at least an option. The way to avoid dealing with the lack of CarPlay is to buy one of the many, MANY vehicles which include it.

I’d like to see a direct quote where RJ said that if there was significant demand they definitely would add screen projection. I’m pretty sure that there was some standard wiggle-room language like we’ll consider adding it and there wasn’t, IIRC, there was no concrete commitment like, if 99% of owners surveyed ask for CarPlay we’ll add it. Rivian and their spokespeople seem to know that there is demand and I hope they’ll reconsider adding screen projection soon. But I’m not counting on it. If they do add it, it will be an added bonus, not fulfilling a missing feature which was promised.

Everyone who wants Android Auto or CarPlay should be letting Rivian know they want it via reasonable communications. None of us can reasonably blame Rivian for us buying a vehicle which didn’t include it. That’s on us.

 

[SoCal Rob]

I had no idea the vehicle didn't have AA/CP nor any form of support for texting. I simply assumed it had this since all new cars do so. I also didn't check to see if it had power windows, etc, etc. Obviously this is on me but the BS Rivian response that they CAN provide a better system is crap.

I get that assumption 100%. Until Rivian, the only other volume brand sold here that did NOT include screen projection was Tesla, as far as I know.

They say they CAN provide a better system, and I also think that’s BS. As in many posts I’ve written before this, Rivian will never match the app ecosystem of smartphones unless they include screen projection (or move to natively support smartphone apps, which seems less likely). There is a virtual army of developers creating smartphone apps and Rivian will never be able to match that with such a relatively small user base.

 

[logan]

I’m not faulting anyone for suggesting an improvement. What I wrote is specifically addressing, “This is ridiculous that we are dealing with this because Rivian…” that the because part isn’t Rivian, it’s the purchaser. We are dealing with the lack of CarPlay because we bought a vehicle without CarPlay. If you want CarPlay then almost all manufacturers selling in Canada and the U.S. provide it as at least an option. The way to avoid dealing with the lack of CarPlay is to buy one of the many, MANY vehicles which include it.

I’d like to see a direct quote where RJ said that if there was significant demand they definitely would add screen projection. I’m pretty sure that there was some standard wiggle-room language like we’ll consider adding it and there wasn’t, IIRC, there was no concrete commitment like, if 99% of owners surveyed ask for CarPlay we’ll add it. Rivian and their spokespeople seem to know that there is demand and I hope they’ll reconsider adding screen projection soon. But I’m not counting on it. If they do add it, it will be an added bonus, not fulfilling a missing feature which was promised.

Everyone who wants Android Auto or CarPlay should be letting Rivian know they want it via reasonable communications. None of us can reasonably blame Rivian for us buying a vehicle which didn’t include it. That’s on us.

There is always wiggle room and like I said I *LOVE* my truck. Best truck ever. No regrets at all. (edit: I think we basically agree. You are right that no one should feel outraged but they should be able to ask or complain.)

 

[djjr50]

Didnt read all 18 pages but I didnt see any info on a USB-C powered unit. Just took delivery of a R1S and it doesnt have the 12v ports. I've seen where people have retrofitted one but I am not sure I am able to do that. We have an existing add-on Android Auto (and Carplay) screen but it is powered by 12v. I havent seen any units that are powered by something else (preferrably the USB-C) but figured I'd ask here. I looked into the USB-C to 12v converters but I dont think they reliably export the power needed.

As a comment on whether Rivian should add it, I dont think it is in their interest financially to do so. Amazon wants the data (and the revenues you can obtain from it). I believe the position changed from Rivian after Amazon plopped down their share to invest. Otherwise, the aesthetic and other issues would probably be an easy hurdle to overcome. (not sure if this was mentioned in the previous 17 pages...)

 

[SoCal Rob]

Didnt read all 18 pages but I didnt see any info on a USB-C powered unit. Just took delivery of a R1S and it doesnt have the 12v ports. I've seen where people have retrofitted one but I am not sure I am able to do that. We have an existing add-on Android Auto (and Carplay) screen but it is powered by 12v. I havent seen any units that are powered by something else (preferrably the USB-C) but figured I'd ask here. I looked into the USB-C to 12v converters but I dont think they reliably export the power needed.

As a comment on whether Rivian should add it, I dont think it is in their interest financially to do so. Amazon wants the data (and the revenues you can obtain from it). I believe the position changed from Rivian after Amazon plopped down their share to invest. Otherwise, the aesthetic and other issues would probably be an easy hurdle to overcome. (not sure if this was mentioned in the previous 17 pages...)

I think some people are using connectors/converters which use the OBDII diagnostic port to provide 12v.

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