Back in October, GM Authority exclusively reported that General Motors was looking into creating an app store for the infotainment systems of its vehicles. Today, we’re learned that on Monday, February 6, 2012, General Motors has filed for trademarks for the words “App Shop” and “Appshop” — further corroborating our earlier intelligence.
The filing describes the trademark in the following way:
Computer software to manage connectivity of downloaded software applications with motor land vehicle electric, information and entertainment systems
As well as:
Online retail platform featuring computer software to manage connectivity of downloaded software applications with motor land vehicle electric, information and entertainment systems
The GM Authority Take
An app store (or shop) for vehicle infotainment systems is an industry-first, as far as we know. And offering users of Chevy’s MyLink system, which is just starting its rollout on the 2012 Equinox (sort of), 2013 Malibu, Volt, Spark, and Sonic, is a natural way of introducing the app store to the masses. Stay tuned to GM Authority — the best source for GM News — as we learn more about this development. What would you like to see from the Chevrolet App Shop? Talk to us in the comments!
Comments
Does anyone know what Operating system that is running on? is it a version of Android? Thanks
Seeing that it’s a trademark filing, we don’t know much about the App Shop. But I’m guessing that you’re referring to Chevy MyLink, Buick IntelliLink, or Cadillac CUE… In that case, all three are running a custom software that’s Linux-based. So, no Android. This needs to be a very tightly-controlled platform from the ground up.
Yes that’s what I was asking Thanks :-). It’s a good thing that it’s not Android based, or there would be a lawsuit in there future lol
That, plus Android isn’t/wasn’t meant to be used everywhere, across all devices, applications, and use-case scenarios. It’s a decent mobile platform. But an auto infotainment system needs specific functions that need to be built into Android; and at that point, you might as well make your own — something that you control, own, and know from the ground up 100 percent.
Unless the goal is to get off the ground on the cheap, that is.
Will this program be available for and actually work (once it’s out) on the current 2013 Chevy Cruze with the mylink infotainment system or will this strictly be for chevy vehicles that have the new 2.0 mylink infotainment system like the new 2014 Impala?!
@chris while we don’t have official confirmation of this, I don’t think the apps will be compatible with MyLink 1.0 that’s found in the Cruze today 🙁
There are a few reasons that I believe this, but the most important one is my conversation with a few GM folks about the 2.0 version of the infotainment systems.
So from what you know, will the Pandora and stitcher Apps that the current Cruzes have on the 1.0 Mylink be the only two apps the car will be able to have for the life of the car?!
There aren’t any mylink updates or upgrades coming at all for the Cruzes at all that have the current mylink?! If not, why!!! App wise, the Cruze is already played out!! You can’t expect Cruze owners to be happy and content owning a car for 5+ years that only has 2 apps and no ability to add other apps?
What is Chevy thinking? Why arent they making sure the current 2013/2014 Cruzes will be able to stay current in the infotainment department? They could at least give 2013/14 1LT Cruze owners a nav based app since they can’t get the mylink based nav like the upper trim cruzes!
So why not my 2013 Cruze? I want the video player back!
I would love an app so that I can remote control my spotify premium account from my connected phone.
This could encourage people to cross purchase between the brands.