- 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 vehicles, however in the event you had been caught charging on a gradual DC stall, you had very restricted multimedia choices on the built-in middle touchscreen.
Some homeowners discovered intelligent workarounds comparable to utilizing a USB reminiscence stick to look at pre-downloaded movies, however that’s now not wanted, because the California-based startup is lastly rolling out options which were promised for over a 12 months.
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 suggests 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 car’s audio system.
In terms of Google Solid, you possibly can consider it as having a built-in Chromecast within the automotive. In case you’re unfamiliar with the tech, it mainly means you need to use a smartphone as a distant to solid 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 manage 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 provide Google Solid performance embody Netflix, Amazon, Prime, Disney+ and Max, Rivian R1S and R1T homeowners can’t presently solid content material from the Netflix app.
Issues get a little bit extra sophisticated 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+ expertise package deal which prices $14.99 monthly or $149.99 per 12 months. 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 Reside Cam and precedence software program updates.
The SiriusXM app on Rivian EVs
SiriusXM satellite tv for pc radio, then again, is separate from the Join+ bundle and wishes a subscription purchased immediately from SiriusXM, which prices between $9.99 and $24.98 monthly.
Rivian mentioned all clients may have “a short lived preview of the Google Solid and YouTube options that may be streamed by Join+,” and {that a} free trial subscription to SiriusXM will likely be supplied.
Apart from 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.
