With all the hype Rivian R2 news, I thought I'd detail my hopes and dreams as a current R1 owner https://christianselig.com/2026/02/rivian-r2-wishes/

[rickscully@heads.social]

@christianselig Very helpful article. Thanks.

FYI, one small typo in CarPlay section.

I am personally one of those people for whom CarPlay is a requirement in any car I own from now on. Which sucks because Rivian is the only brand other than Hyundai that I am interested in for EVs. We love our FWD Kona, but need an AWD vehicle next. I would prefer an R2 (or even better an R3), but I assume an Ioniq 5 is in our future.

[flatfootfox@hachyderm.io]

@christianselig Re: Voice Assistants in cars.

My favorite party trick with the Echo is to walk up to someone saying, “Alexa, reduce volume! Alexa reduce volume!” and just say, “Alexa, Volume 3.”

I had my hands full while driving my Android Automotive Polestar the other day. Its AC UI has ten notches for fan speed. I tried saying, “Okay Google, set the fan speed to 7.”

It ended up setting the Nest thermostat at my house to 7F.

[christianselig@mastodon.social]

@FlatFootFox Hahahah, hopefully these voice systems make a generational leap over the next few years, it's rough

[christianselig@mastodon.social]

@rickscully Fixed thank ya! What part of CarPlay entices you so much out of curiosity? Ioniq 5 looks great but dang those ICCU issues scare me

[rickscully@heads.social]

@christianselig Yeah, the ICCU issues are a concern, and thankfully no issues with the Kona.

As for CarPlay, I think these companies that are leaving it out are doing so in order to track, and sell data. (For now) I still trust Apple more with that data. Plus I like a consistent experience when it comes to podcasts and maps and voice asisstants. Lastly, my only experience with a manufacturer's SatNav is Hyundai and I do not like it. I find it hard to see, and I HATE the voice!

[christianselig@mastodon.social]

@rickscully Rivian's navigation voice is pretty good haha. With some companies I totally agree on the selling angle, I think with Rivian though funnily enough their angle is more Apple-like in general: they want to control the stack rather than have potentially massive dependencies on a partner

[rickscully@heads.social]

@christianselig And that makes sense, but I am (for good or bad) in the Apple ecosphere and not Rivian's.

Thankfully I am not in immediate need of another vehicle, and can wait and see where the cards fall, but I am hoping Rivian (and GM, et alia) change their minds.

[christianselig@mastodon.social]

@rickscully I mean sure but Apple doesn't make cars, Rivian does I'd think about what you'd honestly be missing by not having CarPlay with Rivian and if privacy is the only thing I don't really think that's a concern

[rickscully@heads.social]

@christianselig Maybe so, but for me it is a principle. I have a device that does all the things I want to use in a car, and that car maker is blocking me. I don't like that. Maybe it is a neurodiversity thing. I don't know. But if I had to buy a car today, it is enough of an issue for me that I would avoid them and not feel I am missing out.

[christianselig@mastodon.social]

@rickscully Hey fair, you gotta do you!

[rickscully@heads.social]

@christianselig it is important to me to "vote" with my wallet since so many companies only listen to that!

[bob_zim@infosec.exchange]

@christianselig Be aware that a lot of window breakers don’t work on modern auto glass. You should research the type of glass used for your Rivian’s rear windows and confirm the tools you have will break them effectively.