RIVIAN CONNECT+

[Rivian Mom]

Connect+ is a data plan for your Rivian (arguably the best in the automotive industry) and this is just an insight to what you should know about it.

So with the launch of Connect+, there is a lot of confusion over what the changes mean for owners so here is a breakdown. It's very similar to Tesla's "Premium Connectivity" package but with the addition of an unlimited data hotspot.

For two years, Rivian has given this to owners for free, but for a very long time now, Rivian has said that they will start charging owners for data of which they've already started doing so.

Connect+ is free for the first 60-days, and then will cost you either $14.99/mo or $149.99/year (two months free).

With Connect+ you get you're guaranteed to have the following packages

- Unlimited data for the Rivian for all built-in streaming apps

- Unlimited data for future video streaming and casting apps

- Unlimited vehicle hotspot (this is huge as every other manufacturer caps your hotspot data to my knowledge)

- Satellite View on the map

- Alexa Connected Commands

- Gear Guard Live View (which is coming soon)


One of the amazing things about Rivian is that even without Connect+ you can still use your phone's hotspot as the data that your Rivian accesses for built-in media apps such as Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Audible, and in the future Google Cast and YouTube - THIS MEANS YOU CAN STILL USE THE NATIVE APPS ON YOUR RIVIAN’S INFOTAINMENT AND NOT HAVE TO PAY RIVIAN FOR DATA


- You can stream any music or content via Bluetooth

- Receive all vehicle updates OTA

- Live navigation and routing

- Phone as a key, remote vehicle commands, and all app functions

AT&T who Rivian uses for the hotspot, charges $25/mo for 20gb of hotspot-only data, or $90/mo for 100gb, and Rivian is charging $15/mo with again NO limits.



COMPETITION EXAMPLES:

Nearly all manufacturers (excluding Tesla, Ford, Mercedes) charge a subscription fee for app access for features like remote start, remote unlock, vehicle location, etc. - and most of these apps are significantly less reliable than Rivian. If you think Rivian's doesn't offer you the best, then you can try another app and compare.

Tesla ($10): live traffic, live view cameras, satellite maps, video/music streaming, internet browser but NO hotspot. Tesla does have way more native streaming apps built in - but Rivian has said these will come with time. Remember that Tesla has had a lot more time to build their software than Rivian.

Audi ($15): enhanced maps, traffic, satellite images, POI search but NO data, hotspot, music or streaming apps of any kind.

BMW ($10): enhanced maps, traffic, satellite images, third-party app access but NO hotspot

GM ($50): data for music and video apps, hotspot access, Alexa - basically the same as Rivian but over triple the cost.

Maybe Rivian should've grandfathered in Launch Edition owners or something, but either way, Rivian's Connect+ plan is really a phenomenal deal even for the hotspot alone. If you don't want it, you can still use your phones data to access built-in apps.