This week has brought many exciting developments for Rivian owners and enthusiasts. Not only is the company due for a refresh of its R1S and R1T models soon, but there are also rumors about a potential partnership with Apple. Adding to the recent enthusiasm, Rivian and Google announced on May 15th a collaboration to enhance the media viewing experience within Rivian vehicles.
This partnership introduces a native YouTube app directly into Rivian’s infotainment system, marking a substantial improvement over its current offerings. Moreover, Rivian is set to integrate Google’s Cast protocol, allowing for seamless video casting from any compatible app straight to the vehicle’s display screen. This feature stands out particularly when compared to Tesla’s media system, which, despite having more built-in apps, lacks any casting capabilities, making video selection somewhat cumbersome at times. In contrast, Rivian users will soon be able to effortlessly stream their chosen movies or videos from any Cast-supported app directly onto their screens.
Additionally, Google and Rivian have committed to expanding the range of native streaming apps available within Rivian vehicles. This will help cater to users who prefer browsing and selecting content directly through the vehicle’s infotainment system.
While many Rivian enthusiasts had hoped this update would include support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, those features will not be included in these upcoming updates. However, the prospect of an Apple partnership remains on the horizon, potentially bringing AirPlay functionality to Rivian vehicles, a development that remains speculative at this point.
This series of updates underscores a leap forward in Rivian’s commitment to enhancing in-vehicle entertainment and the overall user experience, setting a new standard that could influence future developments across the industry.
