- Rivian R1S and R1T house owners now have entry to a local YouTube app inside their autos.
- This, together with SiriusXM and Google Forged 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 have been caught charging on a gradual DC stall, you had very restricted multimedia choices on the built-in middle touchscreen.
Some house owners discovered intelligent workarounds reminiscent of utilizing a USB reminiscence stick to observe 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 Forged performance, are rolling out proper now as a part of the software program model 2024.47, which is accessible for each the first- and second-gen R1S and R1T.
The replace was introduced again in Could when Rivian mentioned it will come “quickly.” Nicely, it’s lastly right here, which suggests house owners can watch YouTube movies on the automobile’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 knowledge to stream audio to the car’s audio system.
With regards to Google Forged, you possibly can consider it as having a built-in Chromecast within the automobile. If you happen to’re unfamiliar with the tech, it mainly means you need to use a smartphone as a distant to forged content material, together with video, to the automobile’s display. The content material is pulled from the web by the automobile, however you want a smartphone to manage issues like subtitles or select episodes from a TV sequence.
Google Forged and YouTube on Rivian EVs
Movies can solely be performed whereas the automobile is in Park. Moreover, whereas video streaming apps that supply Google Forged performance embrace Netflix, Amazon, Prime, Disney+ and Max, Rivian R1S and R1T house owners can not at the moment forged content material from the Netflix app.
Issues get slightly extra sophisticated when taking a look at how Rivian is bundling these new options. The YouTube app and Google Forged performance are a part of the corporate’s Join+ expertise bundle which prices $14.99 per thirty days or $149.99 per yr. Join+ additionally contains an in-vehicle hotspot, satellite tv for pc pictures for the navigation system, Amazon Alexa instructions, Apple Music, Audible, Spotify, Tidal, TuneIn, Gear Guard Stay Cam and precedence software program updates.
The SiriusXM app on Rivian EVs
SiriusXM satellite tv for pc radio, however, is separate from the Join+ bundle and wishes a subscription purchased instantly from SiriusXM, which prices between $9.99 and $24.98 per thirty days.
Rivian mentioned all prospects could have “a short lived preview of the Google Forged and YouTube options that may be streamed via Join+,” and {that a} free trial subscription to SiriusXM can be provided.
Moreover these new options, the newest software program model contains 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.
