Google Maps Come to Rivian Vehicles

techcrunch.com

2 pointsZhenya3 comments

I really don't get why automakers put so much emphasis on their infotainment systems. After you get used to things like Google Drive or Apple CarPlay, there is no going back to on-board software.

It's hard to beat the convenience of continuing to hear your music seamlessly from home to car, or the car knowing where your next calendar appointment is and having the map ready to navigate you there. That, and the fact you upgrade your phone a couple times faster than you change cars, and on every phone iteration, the in-car systems will appear increasingly sluggish in comparison.

This is also why modular radios/8-track/cassette/CD players were popular - you could upgrade your sound system without upgrading the car.

Have you driven a Rivian? Their range estimation and deep integration into the nav experience is critical. CarPlay, etc, are worthless for an EV. This implementation deeply integrates Google APIs in the software Rivian has created, thus adding real value over the app from your phone.

My usage doesn’t require range estimation. This might be the reason I don’t feel the need for much deep integration of it and navigation software.

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