- Rivian R1T and R1S occupants will soon be able to watch YouTube videos through a native app in their infotainment screen while they’re parked.
- In addition, they’ll also soon be able to cast videos from their devices, directly onto the screen.
- The new additions to the vehicles’ infotainment system will help entertain drivers during charging stops.
The 15-inch screen situated at the center of the Rivian R1S and R1T’s dashboard might resemble a TV, but until now, entertainment options have been sparse. Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy not only your own videos but also content from creators like MrBeast on the infotainment screen, thanks to the integration of Google Cast and YouTube.
The new services will be added as a native app on the central display in the coming months, and will allow users to search for videos, browse, and play content. However, for everyone’s safety, the video you’re watching will automatically pause if the vehicle shifts into the Drive.
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Google Cast will work similarly, but is driven by your phone or tablet (it works with both Apple and Android devices). The function allows you to send the video you’re watching on, say, YouTube to the screen so that you can watch it there.
Better still, the videos stored internally on some users’ phones can be played on the screen, meaning that you could watch yourself tackling a difficult off-road trail seconds after you stop.
While these certainly aren’t the first apps to be added to Rivian’s infotainment screen, they might be some of the most entertaining. Currently, while you can support your mental well-being with apps like Headspace and Sleepio, the system lacks entertainment-focused applications.
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That’s a meaningful oversight for an electric vehicle, in which occupants can be stuck for long periods of time during charging stops. Other automakers have already struck deals with entertainment providers like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and, of course, YouTube to entertain drivers while they wait for their vehicle to finish charging.
Now Rivian owners will also be able to entertain themselves without drawing down the battery on their phone.