October 03, 2024

Rivian's Google Cast and native YouTube app in final stages: exec

A Rivian executive has provided an update on the highly-anticipated release of Google Cast and YouTube to the R1T and R1S. As per the executive, the rollout of the two features is coming. 

As noted in a RivianTrackr report, a growing number of Rivian owners are getting quite impatient about the release of Google Cast and a native YouTube app for their R1 vehicles. This was thanks in no small part to Rivian announcing the upcoming rollout of the two features way back in May, over four months ago. Some owners have also expressed their concerns about possibly missing out on Google Cast and YouTube before their vehicles’ Connect+ trial period expires. 

Fortunately for the Rivian enthusiasts, Rivian Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid addressed the R1 owners’ concerns about the two delayed and highly-anticipated features. In a response posted on social media platform X, Bensaid explained that Rivian is closing in on releasing Google Cast and YouTube, and that the EV maker is ensuring that the upcoming features are refined when they are rolled out. He also assured the Rivian community that the company would roll out a free trial for all R1 customers before the features are added to Connect+. 

“We are in the final testing stages for Cast and Youtube. We want to get the right quality bar before we launch so that allour users enjoy a seamless and immersive audio/video experience. We will have a free trial for all Rivian customers before we add these features to Connect+,” the Rivian Chief Software Officer wrote in his reply. 

Bensaid’s comments should provide some assurance for Rivian customers, as the company has so far been releasing features that are truly polished. These include Apple Music with Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos support, which has stunned R1T and R1S owners and passengers alike with its stellar audio quality and experience. 

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Written by Teslarati Maria Merano