Chevy Unleashes myChevrolet, OnStar MyLink Apps For iPhone And Android Devices
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As a loyal GM Authority reader, you knew this day was coming: we’ve waited and looked forward to this day for what seems to have been years… and the day has finally arrived! Chevrolet has just released the much-anticipated myChevrolet app for Apple and Android devices.
The apps offer an unheard-of level of connectivity between the user and the Chevy vehicle, but GM’s bow tie brand surprised us with more than a few innovative new features.
Broadly speaking, myChevrolet allows users to search their owners’ manual, find their parking spot, as well as unlock their car – right from their phone. Chevy divides the app’s functionality into three main categories:
Location-based services
The location-based services include a parking reminder that allows drivers to save their parking location to a GPS-enabled map, set a timer to track how much time they have on the parking meter, and even add a note or photo with details about their parking location. If they return to a flat tire, the driver can use the app to request roadside assistance or to locate the closest Chevrolet dealership and schedule a service appointment.
Vehicle-specific information
Vehicle-specific information is accessible after scanning the vehicle identification number using the smart-phone camera. These features include searchable content for the most-commonly accessed information in the owner’s manual, such as directions saving radio presets. The app also provides explanations of warning lights and indicators on the vehicle instrument panel at the touch of a button.
OnStar Connectivity Features
myChevrolet integrates with the OnStar MyLink app to access exclusive OnStar technologies. Through OnStar’s unique connection to the vehicle, owners can send remote vehicle commands such as unlocking or locking the doors, and starting the engine. In addition, owners can access key diagnostic information, including fuel tank level and range, remaining oil life, current and recommended tire pressure and lifetime average miles per gallon. The diagnostic information is current as of the last vehicle start, giving OnStar subscribers an up-to-date health report of their vehicle anytime they need it.
Availability
myChevrolet, which includes OnStar MyLink, are currently available as free downloads from the Apple App Store or from the Android Market. The apps are only compatible with model year 2011 and newer Chevrolet vehicles. Apps for owners of Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles will be available soon.
As far as we know, the app will only work with vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. General Motors was not available at time of publication.
The GM Authority Take
This is… amazing! If we could, we would put a gazillion exclamation marks after that sentence. In all seriousness, however, this is a monumental moment in the grand scheme of the automobile. The amount of useful features is simply mind-boggling and is a first in the entire auto industry! With myChevrolet, Chevy has gained a Herculean competitive advantage that won’t be countered, if not met, for the foreseeable future by any other automaker.
Stay tuned for the GM Authority review of the myChevrolet app. Also, be sure to tune into the GM Authority Weekly podcast for a thorough analysis of the app and its implications for the automotive industry at large.
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Volt Link in the marketplace is an unofficial OnStar app. Too bad GM can’t show some love for us using Windows Phone. Works with more than just Volt, works great with my 2012 Chevy Sonic
I have a 2013 Malibu. I recently downloaded the My Chevy app with the parking reminder, but I can’t get the parking reminder to work. Am I missing something? Sometimes the map will automatically go to where my car is located. At other times, it’s no where close, and at other times it doesn’t register a move in location at all and still shows that my car is in my garage though it isn’t. I am using the app on an Android phone. I have made sure that the GPS on my phone is turned on. Thanks for help in solving this problem.
I can’t get the parking reminder to work with my 2013 camaro
Will there be any updates for there to be a 2009 avalanche available? I just brought this car but I don’t want to purchase onstar until I know that I can have this app. I’ve heard that there are updates going around but I have yet to hear about anything official.
Incompatible with Nexus 4 running KitKat 4.4.2 and that’s kinda suprising me. GM needs to hires some real Devs for their app.
And by the way, my car is a 2013 Camaro with On-Star service.
I just ate a kit kat. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t work for you. Or maybe it’s the deep and heavy fragmentation of the android platform that makes devs focus on other platforms.
The “Locate a Dealer” feature on the myChevrolet app is truly horrible. I was driving my 2011 Silverado diesel in north east Utah, when the check engine light came on. I started the app, tapped Locate a Dealer, and tapped “Use Current Location.” Nothing showed up, which is not surprising given I was 200 miles from Salt Lake City, my destination. So I scrolled over to SLC, yet still NOTHING SHOWED UP! What, no Chevy dealers in SLC? What I learned is I have to 1) use Google to search SLC for a SLC zip code, 2) copy the ZIP code to the clipboard, 3) switch back to myChevrolet, and then 4) use the “search by ZIP code” feature. Found a few dealers that way, but no more. I spent over 1/2 hour searching for zip codes so I could find a Chevy dealer. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why can’t I simply scroll around the map to see more dealers? It’s technically feasible, I know, because I’m an iPhone app developer and I’ve developed map-based apps. The app myChevrolet is just plan stupid.