The Double-Edged Sword of Rivian Software Updates: A Rivian owners dilemma

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Software updates do bring about a mix of excitement and frustration and for Rivian owners, that's no different given the recent update to the vehicle's infotainment system. An update was added which was the 30-second backward/forward controls for Amazon Music, but that came at the cost of altering the steering wheel controls.

The 30-second skip controls for Amazon Music isn't a bad feature at all. Makes it convenient to be able to quickly scan through a song or podcast without having to take your eyes off the road. However, this update came at the cost of a more essential function: the ability to skip tracks entirely. Which didn't sit well with some owners.

The update changed the steering wheel control so that it now only moves the song forward 30 seconds, rather than skipping to the next track. This can be a little frustrating for people who rely on steering wheel controls to navigate their music library. Personally, I think it's more of a safety issue not having to take your eyes off the road to skip tracks, as that can be a significant distraction, and one that has the potential to lead to an accident.

So, what's the solution? Should Rivian have left well enough alone and avoided making changes to the steering wheel controls? Or is the addition of 30-second skip controls a valuable feature that's worth the trade-off?

Ultimately, the answer will depend on individual preferences and driving habits. However, it's clear that Rivian needs to find a way to balance the competing demands of convenience, functionality, and safety. A software update that gives owners total control to customize their steering wheel controls would be a good starting point. Allowing drivers to be able to customize their infotainment to any option of their choice, drivers would get to chose and option they know would be safe, convenient, and enjoyable to drive.

The automotive industry keeps evolving everyday and I'm happy that Rivian is getting there as one of the top players. With that been said, it's essential they create vehicles that are not only innovative and convenient but also safe and enjoyable to drive.