With the announcement of their second-generation R1 models (R1T and R1S), Rivian announced that Apple Music will natively be available within the vehicles. Rivian already has native apps like Spotify and the upcoming YouTube app. But, the new Apple Music app will be only available with Rivian’s new Connect+ subscription service.
With Apple Music, Rivian also announced that their new vehicles will have Dolby Atmos audio with Apple Music creating an immersive audio experience. Another great new feature with Apple from Rivian is the ability to unlock the new Rivians with iPhone and Apple Watch through the Apple Wallet. Apple announced this feature a few years ago and has slowly been rolling out through car companies.
Here is a recap with the new Rivian features with Apple:
A new Rivian-developed sound system and Dolby Atmos® are available with Rivian Premium Audio. Dolby Atmos is an immersive sound experience that reveals more depth, clarity, and details in your favorite music.
Connect+, a new subscription service, supports streaming video through Google Cast and provides access to more than 3,000 apps, seamlessly bringing your favorite entertainment right into your R1’s center display. For Connect+, Rivian also worked closely with the Apple Music team to deeply integrate this feature into Rivian’s software platform. Rivian’s Connect+ gives customers access to Apple Music’s catalog of over 100 million songs and 30,000 playlists, ad-free. With Rivian Premium Audio, they can also hear sound all around with Apple Music’s Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. Source: Rivian Introduces Second Generation R1S, R1T
This may have been the speculative partnership that I wrote about Apple and Rivian considering coming to fruition. I do like the outcome of this with Apple Music being available for more users in different settings. Another way for Apple to spread its platforms around, and to a great company too. Check out my blog about their considered partnership: Report: Apple considering a partnership with EV maker Rivian.
Overall though, I cannot wait to see where this partnership may go now. The sky’s the limit for Apple and Rivian, two great innovative companies that can do extraordinary things together.
The Apple Enthusiast 