It’s been over four months since Rivian first announced plans to bring Google Casting and a native YouTube app to their vehicles, and fans are understandably starting to lose patience. Back on May 15, the company teased that these new entertainment features would soon be part of the Rivian in-cabin experience, but as of early October, there’s still no sign of the update.
For those who might need a refresher, Google Casting would allow Rivian owners to stream content from their mobile devices directly to the vehicle’s display—a highly anticipated addition, especially for road trip movie nights or when waiting at charging stations. The native YouTube app, meanwhile, would enable seamless access to one of the world’s largest video platforms without the need for casting, giving users even more options for entertainment on the go.
The problem? Rivian hasn’t followed up on this since the initial announcement. We haven’t heard a word from the company about when these features will roll out—or if they’re even still on track. It’s become a sore subject among Rivian fans, with some taking to forums and social media to vent their frustrations about the lack of communication.
Rivian has been busy. Between ramping up production, launching new software updates, and working on its growing charging network, it’s clear the company has much on its plate. But that hasn’t stopped the community from feeling disappointed.
In the meantime, owners are worried that they might not see Google Cast or YouTube come to their vehicles before the Connect+ trial expires, not giving owners a chance to try it out. Rivian could of course correct this by either extending the Connect+ trial or creating a different trial for the new features once released.
So, when will Rivian finally make good on their promise? Your guess is as good as ours. Until then, we’ll keep our fingers crossed for an update (and maybe a statement from Rivian) soon. Stay tuned!