Scaringe explained on The Verge’s Decoder podcast that Rivian aims for a "consistent and holistically harmonious" digital experience. This means avoiding the need for users to switch between CarPlay and vehicle features, like opening the front trunk.
Instead, Rivian plans to incorporate desired CarPlay features selectively and act as a "curator" for various apps and platforms. While Rivian models lack CarPlay, they do offer Apple Music and will soon include YouTube, maintaining control over their digital ecosystems.
Scaringe acknowledged the need for improvements in areas like maps and texting but emphasized that integrating every Apple feature will take time. He believes the issue of dropping CarPlay might be getting "more noise than it deserves."
Interestingly, despite the absence of CarPlay, many Rivians were seen in Apple's employee parking lot, suggesting that the lack of CarPlay doesn't bother everyone.
Source: The Verge
