Latest news with #AppleCarPlay
Miami Herald
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Rivian's Impressive Infotainment Update Isn't The One Drivers Really Want
Rivian has introduced a new navigation system for its R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV. The latest system will rely on Google Maps instead of the older Mapbox-based maps setup. Integrated into the Rivian infotainment system, the new navigation will allow drivers to more seamlessly get to their next destination. The latest setup works a bit differently to Google's other automotive integrations, such as Google Built-In and Android Auto. Rather, this change combines the best of Google Maps with Rivian's own user experience. Using Rivian Navigation with Google Maps, drivers will be able to tap into top features like traffic updates, satellite imagery, estimated arrival times, and smart routing. Being an EV company, Rivian has made sure the latest system supports functionality that is specifically relevant to EV owners, from charger stop selection to range on arrival estimates and charging scores. Fresh routes and traffic will not only help drivers find the fastest route, but by consistently surveying traffic patterns, it will reroute you if a better route becomes available. Another new function is the ability to tap on points of interest on the map, quickly learning more about specific places, such as operating hours and reviews. Real-time information communicates any road disruptions, and satellite imagery provides a clear view of your position in a specific city or suburb. Related: 2025 Rivian R1T and R1S First Drive: Under-the-skin changes reap rewards Whether you're using the Rivian Mobile app or are sitting in the driver's seat interacting with the large display, several new or updated EV features are available. The estimated range on arrival better allows you to plan journeys, and will even factor in the use of specialized accessories or trailers. EV drivers know that not all charging points or stations are reliable, so Rivian owners can now use a charging score to determine if a certain charging point has a high score, based on reliability. This can save you time, as the chances of stopping at a non-functional charging station are lower. From green parks to deep blue lakes, the design language of the map has also been updated, making it more pleasant to use and look at. "Rivian as a brand at its core, is meant to inspire customers to go explore the world and get to places they never thought they would," said Wassym Bensaid, Chief Software Officer at Rivian. "The core enabler for that is a great navigation application." As much as the new Google Maps collaboration is welcomed, Rivian still doesn't offer full Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in its vehicles; it does offer access to Apple Music and now the maps feature is better, but the full functionality of the smartphone-mirroring technologies is still missing, even as Apple CarPlay evolves. These features are now offered on the vast majority of new vehicles in the U.S. and are in high demand from the average car buyer, so it's a pity they still aren't available. A petition even exists for Rivian to introduce these smartphone-mirroring functions into new Rivians. The automaker wants to maintain control over its software, which is part of the reason for the omission. A few tech gurus have found a workaround to get Apple CarPlay/Android Auto to work in Rivians, but it would be far more convenient if these features were installed from the factory. At least Rivian owners are more likely to get to their next destination without any hiccups. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
As Rivian embraces Google with Maps integration, it shuts out Apple CarPlay
Rivian (RIVN) is tightening its relationship with Google (GOOG, GOOGL), leaving Apple (AAPL) and CarPlay out in the cold. Rivian said today that it is incorporating Google Maps natively into its infotainment system, meaning Google routing, time of arrival, traffic, and satellite imagery will be "seamlessly integrated" into Rivian's navigation system. Using Google's Automotive SDK for Maps, Rivian can build its own custom navigation system on top of Google Maps. This will give drivers the freshest mapping and traffic data, along with updated ETA info and "arrival range" at destination, a critical piece of information for users, directly within Rivian navigation. Charging information, such as where to stop, user preferences, and the location's overall score, will be included, as well as locations for the bespoke Rivian Charging Network. The addition of Google Maps is welcome news for Rivian owners, with one owner saying the prior system "always" suggested longer routes compared to Google Maps, for example. Rivian's embrace of Google Maps comes as other manufacturers like GM (GM) push ahead with deeper integration of Google products. GM's EVs, for example, no longer have Apple CarPlay compatibility, though its gas-powered vehicles do. This has been a huge issue for customers who have come to live with CarPlay as the de facto standard for car connectivity. Apple says more than 800 vehicles globally support CarPlay; Apple has also said in the past that 79% of new car buyers insist that the vehicle is CarPlay compliant. Read more: How to find the best luxury car insurance A third-party McKinsey study found that the percentage is closer to roughly a third of buyers insisting on CarPlay, but nonetheless, consumers are making their preferences heard. "Like most corporate decisions, this one is driven by revenue in the hyper-subscription world we now occupy," industry analyst Karl Brauer of told Yahoo Finance back when GM ditched CarPlay for its EVs. By keeping Apple out, GM can charge users for services offered through its native UI systems, like the automaker's SuperCruise semiautonomous software. Tesla has been offering subscription services for years now, with "enhanced connectivity" for some features and subscription pricing for its full self-driving (FSD). Read more: 6 steps to find cheap car insurance in 2025 GM would also prefer to keep all the data coming from its customers, which it can remarket in a number of ways (but not all), and not have to pay a license fee to Apple for CarPlay. Rivian is likely making the same bet. And as a tech-forward company that makes its own software, Rivian does not want to cede its entire design language and user experience to Apple. However, Rivian does point out that it does include Apple Music, and in the future Apple EnergyKit integration will be coming for home smart charging - but no CarPlay. Rivian owners have been clamoring for CarPlay in forums like Reddit, so a smaller move like Google Maps integration, following Rivian's prior Google inclusions of Search, Cast, and YouTube, for example, may give its owners some of the functionality they desire. Tesla famously does not allow Apple CarPlay or Google's Android projection software in its infotainment system, and never has. Thus far, the lack of CarPlay hasn't hurt Tesla EV sales over the past few years, or at least that hasn't been a cited reason for declining sales in recent quarters. Pras Subramanian is the lead auto reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram.
The Drive
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
Rivian Finally Addresses Nav Complaints With Built-In Custom Google Maps
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Ever since Android Auto and Apple CarPlay became commonplace, there's been a quiet war going on between automakers and software companies over control of your in-dash navigation and entertainment experience. Today, Rivian's trying something we haven't seen in the space yet: Running Google Maps, but with a uniquely Rivian skin. Rivian's native navigation has been the subject of quite a few complaint threads on Reddit and elsewhere—this should be a welcome update for owners. This new setup, simply called Rivian Navigation with Google Maps, essentially builds some Rivian and EV-specific features, along with Rivian-style aesthetics, on top of Google Maps' functionality. As stated by the company's PR department: '…we are utilizing the Automotive SDK [Software Development Kit] from Google Maps, which gives manufacturers like Rivian the freedom to build a custom navigation system on top of foundational Google Maps technology and information. It brings together the best of both worlds: over two decades of navigation expertise from Google Maps—and the custom design and EV-friendly navigation features from Rivian that owners love.' Rivian Beyond putting its own design language on Google's cartography, Rivian's adding the following EV-specific features, as laid out in a blog post: Range on arrival: Rivian takes the guesswork out of EV travel, providing range estimates that are specific to your vehicle and learn as you drive, and factors in whether you're using accessories, gear, or trailers. And we've added the ability for you to choose how you view your range: in percentage, distance, or both. Rivian takes the guesswork out of EV travel, providing range estimates that are specific to your vehicle and learn as you drive, and factors in whether you're using accessories, gear, or trailers. And we've added the ability for you to choose how you view your range: in percentage, distance, or both. Charging stops and preferences : Rivian carefully curates charging stops added to your trips, making sure you get faster trips, better chargers, and special preferences to suit your needs on charging networks, range on arrival, and more. : Rivian carefully curates charging stops added to your trips, making sure you get faster trips, better chargers, and special preferences to suit your needs on charging networks, range on arrival, and more. Charging information: Rivian brings you real-time data for charging networks compatible with your vehicle, like the Rivian Adventure Network, Tesla Superchargers, and many others. Rivian brings you real-time data for charging networks compatible with your vehicle, like the Rivian Adventure Network, Tesla Superchargers, and many others. Charging score: Rivian's unique score for individual charging sites based on plug-in data from Rivian vehicles gives you a real-time rundown on how reliable a charging site is and automatically includes the top scoring chargers on your trips. Owners will also be able to access this stuff through Rivian's mobile app. The app's trip-planning functionality now also includes place photos, descriptions, satellite views, and traffic updates. (Though some of that requires a subscription to Connect+, Rivian's connectivity program, which costs $15 a month or $150 a year.) Interestingly, Rivian Navigation with Google Maps will not have Google Built-In or voice capabilities as of today's rollout. It's somewhat surprising since Google's been pushing Gemini, accessed through voice, in cars now. But I guess Rivian either couldn't or didn't want to work that in yet. When asked about the absence of voice-control functionality, Wassym Bensaid, Rivian's Chief Software Officer, told us: 'We're actively working on a holistic in-vehicle voice assistant that offers navigation support and much more,' over email. The new navigation system is being rolled out via an over-the-air update to all (gen-one and gen-two) R1T pickups and R1S SUVs starting today. I know at first glance, 'Rivian's gonna run Google Maps but slightly different-looking' doesn't necessarily sound all that exciting. But this is actually a pretty interesting development in the evolution of automotive software. In-dash navigation screens started going mainstream around 2005 and were pretty common by 2015. In that era, you'd only use software and interfaces designed by the automaker. That changed big time once Android Auto and Apple CarPlay stepped on the scene. For the following decade, those platforms, and their own navigation apps, have staked a huge claim in car interiors. Now, different car companies have had different responses to this. Some don't want to concede any of the user experience to another company, like GM banning Apple CarPlay. Others are doing the opposite—iOS 26 will do a comprehensive dashboard takeover on various vehicles. There are other tactics, too—when I test-drove the BMW X2, the company's reps were eager to point out that it could run popular apps like Spotify natively within BMW's UI. Meanwhile, Google Earth is already featured somewhat prominently in some Audis. But 'Google Maps with an automaker-unique skin' is a new one. Seems like a good way to bridge the gap between the car company owning the look but outsourcing the functionality. I'll be interested to see if more vehicles adopt something similar. Got a favorite automotive map app setup? Tell the author about it: or leave a comment.
The Verge
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Verge
Rivian's maps get Google-fied.
Posted Jul 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM UTC Rivian's maps get Google-fied. The electric automaker is launching its new map built on top of Google Maps using the service's Automotive SDK. Rivian, which notably does not allow Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in its vehicles, says the new maps feature real-time traffic updates, tappable points of interest, and satellite imagery. And since its embedded software, it can integrate important vehicle information, like how much range will be left on arrival and whether charging stops will be needed. And don't forget Rivian's 'charging score' so you can tell whether a charging station is up to snuff.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ranking The 5 Cheapest Trucks In America
Ranking The 5 Cheapest Trucks In America originally appeared on Autoblog. As much as small sedans and crossovers are the most affordable new cars in America, some people simply can't do without a pickup truck. Be it for towing, off-roading, or transporting larger or awkwardly-shaped items, pickups are hard to beat. But if you can't afford one of the most expensive new trucks in America, we've put together a list of the cheapest ones, ranked from most to least expensive. Only the cheapest derivative of each truck has been included, and the prices indicated below exclude the destination charge and any options. Finally, as pricing changes regularly, these are the cheapest new pickups at the time of publishing. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article One of three mid-size pickups on this list, Nissan's trusty Frontier starts at just over $32k for the King Cab in basic S guise (note that the crew cab Pro-4X is pictured above). Like other Frontiers, this variant has a 3.8-liter V6 engine making 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with four-wheel drive optional. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard. In 4x2 guise, this pickup can tow up to 7,150 pounds. Base S specification includes the following standard features: 16-inch steel wheels with painted finish Halogen headlights Black grille and door handles Four-person seating Four-speaker sound system Eight-inch color touchscreen Wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Blind-spot warning Rear parking sensors Rear automatic braking With its rugged looks and ample power, this is a solid workhorse, yet it still has enough amenities for comfortable daily use. The absence of forced induction and electrification should improve long-term reliability. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Sticking with mid-size pickups, the cheapest Colorado starts at only $150 less than the Frontier. Unlike the Nissan, this is a Crew Cab with proper rear doors, so rear-seat access will be effortless. RWD is standard and 4WD optional, and this model gets GM's 2.7-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine, known as the TurboMax. It makes 310 hp and 430 lb-ft; that torque figure dwarfs the Frontier's N/A V6, and the Chevy can also tow up to 7,700 lbs. The following features are standard on the Colorado WT: 17-inch steel wheels Halogen headlights 11.3-inch LCD display Six-speaker sound system Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Single-zone manual climate control Automatic emergency braking Rear cross-traffic braking Blind-zone steering assist Although it has the same basic look as the Frontier, the Colorado looks like a better buy with its Crew Cab, superior torque, and better towing. But if you want a V6, the Nissan is the winner. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Like the Frontier, Toyota's cheapest mid-size pickup has the same cab layout, but Toyota refers to it as an XtraCab. A 2.4-liter turbocharged four-pot is standard, and it makes 228 hp and 243 lb-ft; that's some way short of its Nissan and Chevy rivals at this price point. RWD is standard and 4WD is optional, while the Tacoma has an eight-speed automatic. Towing for this model is 3,500 lbs, which is less than half that of the Nissan and Chevy. These are the standard features on the Tacoma SR XtraCab: 17-inch steel wheels LED headlights and LED bed lighting Eight-inch touchscreen Four-speaker sound system Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Full-speed adaptive cruise control Lane departure warning Road sign assist LED exterior lighting aside, the Toyota isn't much better equipped than the cheaper Nissan and Chevy. However, that Toyota badge counts for a lot, which is the main reason to choose this model over its rivals. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article This is the first entry in the compact pickup segment, and also the first one on our list with unibody construction. In entry-level SE form (the Limited is pictured above), the Santa Cruz has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 hp and 181 lb-ft. FWD is standard and AWD is optional, and it has an eight-speed automatic. With trailer brakes, the Santa Cruz is capable of towing up to 3,500 lbs. It's more comfortable to drive than any of the preceding pickups, though. By dipping into the compact truck segment, buyers do get more features for the money, at the expense of capability. The Santa Cruz SE gets these features as standard: 18-inch alloy wheels Projector bi-LED headlights and LED DRLs Lockable under-bed storage compartment 12.3-inch touchscreen display Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Blind-spot collision warning Rear cross-traffic alert Driver attention warning Standard alloys, a bigger infotainment screen, and sportier looks make the base Santa Cruz feel a lot less utilitarian than the other trucks here. If you don't need to tow more than it can handle, it'll be a better daily driver. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article And so we arrive at the cheapest new truck on sale right now, which is the Ford Maverick XL. It's quite a bit pricier than it was, but it's still the cheapest new truck on sale. The standard hybrid powertrain produces just 191 hp, but the upside is its combined consumption of 38 mpg, better than any other pickup. For only $125 more, you can get the 250-hp turbocharged model, which also replaces the CVT with an eight-speed automatic. FWD is standard, and this compact unibody truck can tow up to 4,000 lbs, but only with the tow package. The following features are standard: 17-inch steel wheels LED reflector headlights Single-zone air conditioning Eight-inch productivity screen and 13.2-inch touchscreen Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Six-speaker sound system Automatic emergency braking Automatic high beams Although the Maverick XL doesn't have as many driver-assist features as the other trucks here, you can add the Ford Co-Pilot360 pack for $795, which adds blind-spot monitoring, reverse sensors, lane-keep alert, and more. Given its price and excellent efficiency, this is the most affordable pickup to buy and run (in hybrid form). At least, that's until the Slate electric pickup arrives, which promises an even lower starting The 5 Cheapest Trucks In America first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 13, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
