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Chevrolet MyLink Creates Smartphones on Wheels
Smart interface design allows drivers to take advantage of mobile communications technology while the phone remains safely stowed
NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers who seek a higher level of in-vehicle wireless connectivity and customized infotainment options, plus the unmatched safety and security of OnStar need look no further than the 2012 Chevy Volt and Equinox.
When these vehicles go on sale later this year, they will be the first to offer Chevy MyLink - an in-car infotainment package that builds on the safety and security of OnStar and seamlessly integrates online services like Pandora® internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio® using hands-free voice and touch-screen controls via Bluetooth device connectivity.
"There is a new generation of car buyers who don't want to settle for mass market radio," said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. "They want to create their own individual stations and have access to them wherever they are. Chevrolet vehicles have offered customers the ability to use portable media devices since 2006 and the introduction of MyLink takes media personalization to a new level."
MyLink adds stereo audio streaming and wireless control of smartphones, building on the voice-activated Bluetooth hands-free calling capability already offered in most Chevy vehicles. MyLink also includes a seven-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display that makes media selection easy to navigate.
"Chevrolet MyLink is the next logical step for in-vehicle connectivity," said Karl Stracke, vice president for Global Product Engineering. "MyLink leverages the mobile broadband capability and the sophisticated, online services made possible by today's smartphones."
MyLink retains all the capabilities of today's entertainment units, including AM/FM/XM tuners, CD player with MP3 playback, auxiliary and USB inputs. But, Stracke says, "These are the essentials and we're building from there."
Among the new benefits provided by MyLink:
-- Enhanced hands-free voice control system powered by Nuance®, which
allows simple voice commands to initiate phone calls and select radio
stations or media from portable MP3 players and smartphones. A tap of a
button on the steering wheel enables intuitive verbal control of
smartphone applications like "play (artist name)" or "call (name of
contact)" to keep the driver's hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
-- Pandora® internet radio allows users to create personalized radio
stations based on favorite artists or genres and Stitcher SmartRadio®
enables access to thousands of audio programming choices allowing
customers to build a personalized listening experience. MyLink
integrates control of both of these apps for a driver directed listening
experience.
-- Gracenote®: identifies the music collection on the driver's smartphone
or MP3 player and presents information such artist name, genres and
album cover art on the MyLink screen and enables users to select similar
music to the tunes they love. Gracenote also improves the accuracy of
MyLink's voice activation system by allowing users to access music using
artist nicknames, such as "The Boss," "G.N.R," or "The Fab Four" simply
by using MyLink's touch-screen or steering wheel buttons and voice
control interfaces.
-- Upgraded USB connectivity: While Chevrolet has offered auxiliary device
connectivity since 2006, MyLink adds flash memory capability to its USB
device connections. This provides users with the ability to access
approved applications that will make their MyLink system even more
functional, while assuring that driver's maintain eyes on the road and
hands on the wheel.
The debut of Chevy MyLink extends the OnStar experience from safety and security to information and entertainment by seamlessly integrating the capability of a smartphone into the vehicle so that hand-held phones may be safely stowed while driving.
When OnStar debuted in 1996, it pioneered in-vehicle connectivity with the auto industry's first embedded telematics system. It has grown from primarily offering automatic crash notification and security features to include remote vehicle diagnostics, turn-by-turn navigation and the ability to slow down stolen vehicles.
In November 2010, OnStar released a smartphone application for all 2011 Chevy vehicles that incorporated remote start, lock/unlock, and vehicle status checks as well as battery management functions for Volt owners. Volt owners also have the MyVolt.com website to provide those remote management features and other Chevy owners soon will have access to similar web-based OnStar services.
The combination of MyLink and OnStar will soon be joined by the integration of the Powermat® charging system - eliminating the need for charging cords. Chevrolet MyLink will be available beginning with the 2012 Chevrolet Volt and Equinox this fall before expanding to other vehicles in the Chevy lineup over the next 18 months.
About Chevrolet
Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly to gas-free" solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at http://www.chevrolet.com
About OnStar
OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the leading global provider of connected safety and security solutions, value-added mobility services and advanced information technology. Currently available on more than 40 MY 2011 GM models, OnStar soon will be available for installation on most other vehicles already on the road through local electronics retailers, including Best Buy. OnStar safely connects its more than six million subscribers, in the U.S., Canada and China, in ways never thought possible. OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown is a recipient of the 2010 Edison Award for Best New Product in the technology category. More information about OnStar can be found at http://www.onstar.com.
SOURCE General Motors
General Motors
CONTACT: Sam Abuelsamid, +1-313-915-0166, sam.abuelsamid@gm.com, or Scott Fosgard, +1-586-899-2582, Scott.fosgard@gm.com
Web Site: http://www.chevrolet.com
Chevrolet MyLink Creates Smartphones on Wheels
Smart interface design allows drivers to take advantage of mobile communications technology while the phone remains safely stowed
NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers who seek a higher level of in-vehicle wireless connectivity and customized infotainment options, plus the unmatched safety and security of OnStar need look no further than the 2012 Chevy Volt and Equinox.
When these vehicles go on sale later this year, they will be the first to offer Chevy MyLink - an in-car infotainment package that builds on the safety and security of OnStar and seamlessly integrates online services like Pandora® internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio® using hands-free voice and touch-screen controls via Bluetooth device connectivity.
"There is a new generation of car buyers who don't want to settle for mass market radio," said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. "They want to create their own individual stations and have access to them wherever they are. Chevrolet vehicles have offered customers the ability to use portable media devices since 2006 and the introduction of MyLink takes media personalization to a new level."
MyLink adds stereo audio streaming and wireless control of smartphones, building on the voice-activated Bluetooth hands-free calling capability already offered in most Chevy vehicles. MyLink also includes a seven-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display that makes media selection easy to navigate.
"Chevrolet MyLink is the next logical step for in-vehicle connectivity," said Karl Stracke, vice president for Global Product Engineering. "MyLink leverages the mobile broadband capability and the sophisticated, online services made possible by today's smartphones."
MyLink retains all the capabilities of today's entertainment units, including AM/FM/XM tuners, CD player with MP3 playback, auxiliary and USB inputs. But, Stracke says, "These are the essentials and we're building from there."
Among the new benefits provided by MyLink:
-- Enhanced hands-free voice control system powered by Nuance®, which
allows simple voice commands to initiate phone calls and select radio
stations or media from portable MP3 players and smartphones. A tap of a
button on the steering wheel enables intuitive verbal control of
smartphone applications like "play (artist name)" or "call (name of
contact)" to keep the driver's hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
-- Pandora® internet radio allows users to create personalized radio
stations based on favorite artists or genres and Stitcher SmartRadio®
enables access to thousands of audio programming choices allowing
customers to build a personalized listening experience. MyLink
integrates control of both of these apps for a driver directed listening
experience.
-- Gracenote®: identifies the music collection on the driver's smartphone
or MP3 player and presents information such artist name, genres and
album cover art on the MyLink screen and enables users to select similar
music to the tunes they love. Gracenote also improves the accuracy of
MyLink's voice activation system by allowing users to access music using
artist nicknames, such as "The Boss," "G.N.R," or "The Fab Four" simply
by using MyLink's touch-screen or steering wheel buttons and voice
control interfaces.
-- Upgraded USB connectivity: While Chevrolet has offered auxiliary device
connectivity since 2006, MyLink adds flash memory capability to its USB
device connections. This provides users with the ability to access
approved applications that will make their MyLink system even more
functional, while assuring that driver's maintain eyes on the road and
hands on the wheel.
The debut of Chevy MyLink extends the OnStar experience from safety and security to information and entertainment by seamlessly integrating the capability of a smartphone into the vehicle so that hand-held phones may be safely stowed while driving.
When OnStar debuted in 1996, it pioneered in-vehicle connectivity with the auto industry's first embedded telematics system. It has grown from primarily offering automatic crash notification and security features to include remote vehicle diagnostics, turn-by-turn navigation and the ability to slow down stolen vehicles.
In November 2010, OnStar released a smartphone application for all 2011 Chevy vehicles that incorporated remote start, lock/unlock, and vehicle status checks as well as battery management functions for Volt owners. Volt owners also have the MyVolt.com website to provide those remote management features and other Chevy owners soon will have access to similar web-based OnStar services.
The combination of MyLink and OnStar will soon be joined by the integration of the Powermat® charging system - eliminating the need for charging cords. Chevrolet MyLink will be available beginning with the 2012 Chevrolet Volt and Equinox this fall before expanding to other vehicles in the Chevy lineup over the next 18 months.
About Chevrolet
Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly to gas-free" solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at http://www.chevrolet.com
About OnStar
OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the leading global provider of connected safety and security solutions, value-added mobility services and advanced information technology. Currently available on more than 40 MY 2011 GM models, OnStar soon will be available for installation on most other vehicles already on the road through local electronics retailers, including Best Buy. OnStar safely connects its more than six million subscribers, in the U.S., Canada and China, in ways never thought possible. OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown is a recipient of the 2010 Edison Award for Best New Product in the technology category. More information about OnStar can be found at http://www.onstar.com.
SOURCE General Motors
General Motors
CONTACT: Sam Abuelsamid, +1-313-915-0166, sam.abuelsamid@gm.com, or Scott Fosgard, +1-586-899-2582, Scott.fosgard@gm.com
Web Site: http://www.chevrolet.com