Chevrolet has announced some exciting additions to the MyLink Infotainment systems in upcoming models including a number of firsts for the company, voice recognition, and industry firsts like bringing an intelligent assistant that helps get things done just by asking.
Not only will the next versions of MyLink come with more features and improved usability, General Motors is taking customer service a step further to ensure that owners understand how to get the most out of their infotainment systems.
Chevrolet Impala’s MyLink offers industry first technologies
The 2014 Chevrolet Impala will be the first vehicle equipped with Chevrolet’s next-generation MyLink infotainment system. The new MyLink is designed to be easy to use, highly customizable and capable of linking up to 10 devices.
The system represents Chevrolet’s first use of natural language voice recognition that allows customers to safely place calls, enter destinations, browse media, play music and control other functions simply by telling the vehicle what to do. There are no key phrases to remember and no need to look at a screen.
Another first for Chevrolet is that the system can store up to 60 favorites including radio stations (AM/FM/XM), contacts, destinations, music and other media, making it convenient for those who travel to the same destination regularly to save their favorite places.
In addition to voice activated technology and other technical features the MyLink system in the Impala will allow owners to get personal and customize the system to fit one of four distinct personalities, depending on who’s behind the wheel – Contemporary, Edge, Velocity and Main Street. Owners can also change their home screen icons for easy access to features they use the most.
“There is such a high level of attention, consistency and level of detail in the graphics on the cluster and center stack displays that they’ve become nearly as important to the overall interior look and feel as color and trim,” said Fuligni. “We can’t design a custom Impala interior for every customer, but we can give them the next best thing.”
The next generation MyLink system will be also be available on other 2014 model year vehicles including full-size trucks, SUVs and the Corvette.
Siri comes to Sonic in GMTh
In early 2013, the Chevrolet Sonic LTZ and RS will be the first vehicles in the industry to integrate the Apple intelligent assistant, Siri into their MyLink infotainment systems.
Siri will complement MyLink’s existing capabilities to help deliver an incredible driving experience. Owners with a compatible iPhone running iOS 6 can direct Siri to perform a number of tasks while they safely keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. To further minimize distraction, Siri takes hands-free functionality even further with an Eyes Free mode that enables users to interact with their iPhone using just their voice.
Owners can use Siri in Eyes Free mode to:
- Make voice-activated, hands-free calls to Contacts on their iPhone
- Play songs in the iTunes library, and even switch music sources automatically from AM/FM/XM radio to iPod mode
- Listen to, and compose and send an iMessage or text message to a phone number or anyone in saved Contacts
- Access Calendar and add appointments
- Minimize distraction even more by keeping the screen of the iPhone from lighting up, even when Siri answers simple questions such as game scores or the dates of national holidays
GM’s Connected Customer Specialists help users understand systems
To enhance the ownership experience, General Motors has hired 25 young, tech-savvy Connected Customer Specialists and sent them to dealers across America to help owners fully understand their Chevrolet MyLink, Cadillac CUE and Buick and GMC IntelliLink infotainment systems.
“While our infotainment systems are designed to be intuitive and easy to operate, we’re taking a proactive approach to ensure customers receive the expert support they may need,” said Alicia Boler-Davis, vice president of Global Product Quality and Customer Experience. “This is one of many ways we are taking care of our customers after they've made their purchase.”
