Rivian's Latest Vehicles Support Apple Car Keys for Unlocking With Wallet App

[MacRumors]

Rivian today announced second-generation versions of the R1S SUV and R1T pickup, and the reengineered models include support for the Car Keys feature that's available on iPhones and Apple Watches.

Car Keys allows an iPhone or Apple Watch with NFC capabilities to unlock a vehicle through the Wallet app. A digital version of a car key is stored in Wallet, and unlocking can be done simply by holding an Apple Watch or iPhone near a compatible vehicle's NFC reader.

A simple tap on the door handle is enough to initiate an unlock, and while Face ID authentication is a security option, Apple offers an Express Mode that eliminates the need to authenticate for a faster unlocking process.

Prior Rivian vehicles supported unlocking through the Rivian app, but Car Keys is a different feature that is better integrated into the iPhone and Apple Watch. While the Rivian app was able to sense a user approaching and unlock the car, it was slow to work and not as accurate or as simple as Car Keys.

Rivian has added Ultra Wideband technology to its new vehicles for improved accuracy.

Use your phone or smartwatch to automatically lock or unlock doors when you're nearby. Accessing your vehicle is easier than ever -- thanks to ultrawideband technology enabled by the wallet feature on iOS and Android.

Rivian says that Car Keys feature can be used with the R1S and R1T for unlocking and starting their vehicles, plus sharing digital keys with family and friends.

Along with Car Keys, the updated Rivian models also feature Connect+, a streaming service that provides access to over 3,000 apps, including music services. Rivian says that it worked with the Apple Music team to "deeply integrate" Apple Music into Rivian's Connect+ platform. Customers can access Apple Music's more than 100 million songs, and with Rivian Premium Audio, Apple Music Spatial Audio is supported.

More information on the upgraded vehicles can be found on Rivian's website.

Article Link: Rivian's Latest Vehicles Support Apple Car Keys for Unlocking With Wallet App

 

[truthsteve]

meanwhile they're about to go bankrupt soon lol

cost control is a bitch. Tesla figured this out years ago

 

[shawnforever]

That's great. I love Home Key and am looking forward to owning a car with Car Key.

 

[DaveOP]

meanwhile they're about to go bankrupt soon lol

cost control is a bitch. Tesla figured this out years ago

This refresh is entirely about cost control, they dropped their costs significantly with these refreshes. Nothing indicates they're about to go bankrupt.

 

[ChrisA]

The problem for Rivan is the limited number of people who have $70K to $80K to spend on a new car. Yes, I say new "car" because from what I see around here these things are used for commuting to work and trips to the supermarket.

 

[Hogswarts]

Rivian needs to support CarPlay

 

[jaytv111]

meanwhile they're about to go bankrupt soon lol

cost control is a bitch. Tesla figured this out years ago

They have Amazon's support. They will never go bankrupt, at worst just sold off to Amazon who would enjoy having an electric van supplier plus consumer-facing vehicles.

 

[6787872]

Tesla figured this out years ago

Telsa's are garbage and built with the quality of a soviet-era car lmao

 

[nutmac]

Rivian needs to support CarPlay

Apple should create a next-gen CarPlay for companies that want to keep certain features their own (e.g., map) with far greater control over the look and feel of the overall experience.

 

[Bobbuilds69]

meanwhile they're about to go bankrupt soon lol

cost control is a bitch. Tesla figured this out years ago

Tesla sucks…

 

[coolfactor]

This article is written in a way that suggests this is an Apple-only feature, but Car Key is an industry standard, so these new Rivian cars can be unlocked with Android phones, too.

Those headlights are just weird, but weird can be fun.

 

[coolfactor]

Apple should create a next-gen CarPlay for companies that want to keep certain features their own (e.g., map) with far greater control over the look and feel of the overall experience.

Car manufacturers always have the option of developing their own App for such features. You don't _need_ to use Apple Maps, or Apple Music. Those are just default options.

 

[nutmac]

Car manufacturers always have the option of developing their own App for such features. You don't _need_ to use Apple Maps, or Apple Music. Those are just default options.

Next generation CarPlay takes over all the screens on the car, or at least that's what it aims to do. Switching over to the car's own mapping app may require disconnecting from CarPlay, which can be both tedious and jarring experience.

The carmaker can probably counter this by making their own iOS CarPlay mapping app, and let it be the default. However, this requires more work on their end with questionable ROI.

If Apple wants the next generation CarPlay to be widely embraced, it needs to accept some compromises.

 

[BabyBoii]

I used to bag on Rivian (current tesla driver), but honestly their stuff is looking sweet. Particularly excited for the R2. Switching from a tesla would be hard, but if the rumors are true about Apple and Rivian teaming up, I'd switch in a heartbeat.

 

[relaxedpanda]

Rivian has AWFUL keys right now, so I am not surprised one bit that they are trying to do some damage control and offer alternative solutions to their key system.

Source: Current Rivian and Tesla owner, my R1T is constantly not unlocking upon walkup or locking upon walking away

 

[truthsteve]

This refresh is entirely about cost control, they dropped their costs significantly with these refreshes. Nothing indicates they're about to go bankrupt.

q1 showed cash flow significantly worsened, lost $40k per unit sold.

that's a bankruptcy indicator

 

[truthsteve]

They have Amazon's support. They will never go bankrupt, at worst just sold off to Amazon who would enjoy having an electric van supplier plus consumer-facing vehicles.

amazon and Rivian cut ties. they're no longer exclusive for vans. doesn't seem like their relationship is getting stronger

 

[DribbleCastle]

One of many features that led me to Kia EV9 over Rivian. Rivians are great-looking cars, but the interior space is not that great for tall guys like me.

 

[truthsteve]

w


Telsa's are garbage and built with the quality of a soviet-era car lmao

model y was world's best selling car in 2023 lmao

 

[truthsteve]

Tesla sucks…

model y was world's best selling car in 2023

🥱

 

[crisss1205]

This article is written in a way that suggests this is an Apple-only feature, but Car Key is an industry standard, so these new Rivian cars can be unlocked with Android phones, too.

Those headlights are just weird, but weird can be fun.

Car Key is a standard, but that doesn't mean it automatically works on Android too.

When I had my GV60 it would only work with iOS or Samsung. They have since updated it to include the Pixel as well, but that wasn't until after I sold the car.

 

[subjonas]

w


Telsa's are garbage and built with the quality of a soviet-era car lmao

Tesla sucks…

I assume you’re just giving your subjective opinions because Teslas are among the top selling cars with among the highest satisfaction rates.

 

[vicviper789]

They have Amazon's support. They will never go bankrupt, at worst just sold off to Amazon who would enjoy having an electric van supplier plus consumer-facing vehicles.

How funny would it be if Amazon started offering an Amazon Prime Car after Apple failed at their car attempt

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Rivian seem the most Apple-like EV company. Apple should get out of the TV show game and acquire Rivian.

 

[CrysisDeu]

Apple should create a next-gen CarPlay for companies that want to keep certain features their own (e.g., map) with far greater control over the look and feel of the overall experience.

So a contractor?