- Rivian R1S and R1T homeowners now have entry to a local YouTube app inside their autos.
- This, together with SiriusXM and Google Solid performance, is a part of the newest software program replace.
- Each the pre-facelift and up to date fashions get the brand new options.
Rivian makes some very compelling adventure-oriented electrical automobiles, however in case you had been caught charging on a sluggish DC stall, you had very restricted multimedia choices on the built-in middle touchscreen.
Some homeowners discovered intelligent workarounds similar to utilizing a USB reminiscence stick to look at pre-downloaded movies, however that’s not wanted, because the California-based startup is lastly rolling out options which have been promised for over a yr.
A local YouTube app, a local SiriusXM app, in addition to Google Solid performance, are rolling out proper now as a part of the software program model 2024.47, which is on the market for each the first- and second-gen R1S and R1T.
The replace was introduced again in Could when Rivian mentioned it might come “quickly.” Effectively, it’s lastly right here, which implies homeowners can watch YouTube movies on the automotive’s middle display with out having to make use of their smartphone. The identical goes for the SiriusXM app, which makes use of WiFi or mobile information to stream audio to the automobile’s audio system.
In the case of Google Solid, you may consider it as having a built-in Chromecast within the automotive. Should you’re unfamiliar with the tech, it principally means you need to use a smartphone as a distant to forged content material, together with video, to the automotive’s display. The content material is pulled from the web by the automotive, however you want a smartphone to regulate issues like subtitles or select episodes from a TV sequence.
Google Solid and YouTube on Rivian EVs
Movies can solely be performed whereas the automotive is in Park. Moreover, whereas video streaming apps that supply Google Solid performance embody Netflix, Amazon, Prime, Disney+ and Max, Rivian R1S and R1T homeowners can not at the moment forged content material from the Netflix app.
Issues get somewhat extra difficult when taking a look at how Rivian is bundling these new options. The YouTube app and Google Solid performance are a part of the corporate’s Join+ know-how package deal which prices $14.99 per thirty days or $149.99 per yr. Join+ additionally consists of an in-vehicle hotspot, satellite tv for pc photographs for the navigation system, Amazon Alexa instructions, Apple Music, Audible, Spotify, Tidal, TuneIn, Gear Guard Reside Cam and precedence software program updates.
The SiriusXM app on Rivian EVs
SiriusXM satellite tv for pc radio, alternatively, is separate from the Join+ bundle and wishes a subscription purchased straight from SiriusXM, which prices between $9.99 and $24.98 per thirty days.
Rivian mentioned all clients may have “a short lived preview of the Google Solid and YouTube options that may be streamed via Join+,” and {that a} free trial subscription to SiriusXM shall be provided.
Apart from these new options, the newest software program model consists of enhancements for the Freeway Help system on Gen 2 autos, new graphics for some sections of the infotainment system and a bunch of smaller fixes.
