Having announced details surrounding its OnStar 4G LTE connectivity efforts that will bring 10th-gen OnStar hardware, General Motors has provided specific information about its in-vehicle AppShop, which GM Authority was first to report on back in 2013. The General demonstrated the Chevrolet AppShop at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), thereby embarking on the next frontier of automotive infotainment systems.
Apps in the AppShop will connect drivers to music, news, weather, travel information, vehicle data and more. AppShop, which will initially launch with ten apps, will become available this summer on select 2015 models in the United States and Canada equipped with MyLink infotainment systems, including the 2015 Corvette, Equinox, Impala, Malibu, Volt, Silverado and Silverado HD. The store will be accessible via an icon on the MyLink screen; tapping the icon will allow owners to view all available apps and download them directly to the vehicle using built-in 4G LTE connectivity — which will be in every Chevrolet with access to the AppShop. From there, users will be able to organize, update, or delete apps from their MyLink systems as necessary.
“We listen to our customers, and they want more choices like they have with their smartphones,” said Alan Batey, senior vice president of Global Chevrolet. “They’re telling us they want more integration, more options, and more control in a safe manner. Chevrolet AppShop is an in-vehicle information resource that allows our drivers to customize and refine their experiences from their Chevrolet.”
Outside of the immediately-obvious infotainment benefits of AppShop apps, one of GM’s main goals with the functionality is to keep the driver’s smartphone from becoming a distraction and interfering with safe driving. As such, features that require a large amount of attention — such as those that use a keyboard — will be unavailable while the vehicle is in motion, similar to the “lock out” design of a navigation system’s keyboard.
General Motors also states that even though some apps may be familiar to owners, their functionality may vary between the vehicle and a smartphone. For instance, The Weather Channel offers audible five-day forecasts to help keep the driver’s eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
“At General Motors, we are trying to minimize driver distractions through the use of technology,” said Phil Abram, chief infotainment officer, GM Global Connected Consumer.
Outside of preventative safety features built into AppShop apps, General Motors vehicles also offer other features that encourage a safe driving environment, such as text-to-voice and smartphone voice pass-through integration.
Comments
I guess an obvious question would be…..what about the roleout to similar GMC vehicles and Intellelink(Sp?). I would hate to think a Silverado would get access to these Apps and not a Sierra Denali?
What about existing 2013 vehicles with IntelliLink and Navigation.
I have a 2013 Acadia Denali with Navigation, will I get an upgrade option for this or did they leave out the 2013 vehicles?
So maybe count your blessings. I have been to the dealer 3 times and they have worked on my infotainment system to get the iPod to work properly. Still no resolution. Last time they did a complete software update and it was somewhat better, but still not working correctly. Nice to know they are spending time on apps when the infotainment system doesn’t work properly…..
On the same level, I hope they incorporate this into the new Buicks as well…
No, it isn’t backwards compatible. I was at a GM Product Plus/Cadillac Training about a month ago. I’m a product specialist at a Cadillac store here in Canada. The roll out will be for 2015 and newer vehicles only, GM doesn’t have a plan in place just yet to open up this service to current or past vehicles. The same goes for the Gen 10 Onstar with 4G, it can’t be installed in older vehicles to take advantage of the new program/features.
They are currently working on a way to offer upgrades to the NEW intellilink system/MyLink System, they are even looking into allowing after purchase upgrades of the non Nav Intellilink / Mylink 2.0 systems to add in Nav in the near future.
That being said, I’m sure that if enough of us ask or demand for an upgrade to the current system to allow for the new app store they may release a pass-through phone way to download the new apps. The onstar will not be coming to the older vehicles though.
Cadillac needs to get this next. In my opinion, they should have gotten it first, but I can understand going with Chevrolet for the larger market.
Can someone please explain to me how this could be useful? I mean aside from weather music and vehicle diagnostics I don’t see how this could be useful
Wow….I had hoped GM would figure out what a customers expect, but obviously not. Just purchased 1st. GM vehicle in 15 years. Totally disappointed no plan to include apps in 2014s. May be my last GM given that I can’t even save a favorite yet. Been waiting a week for response from dealer to tell me if they have a fix.
Truly disappointed in GM iphone integration. I have driven several Toyotas that work flawlessly with iphone5. Why can’t GM do the same?
Questions for Mr. Batey and Mr. Abram: I have a 2015 Tahoe with MyLink. The REASON I bought a GM vehicle this time is because I thought the “infotainment” system would be better than my previous vehicle…..AND for the most part it is, however, the WEATHER APP, the Weather Tabs COVER MOST OF THE SCREEN, thus rendering the weather MAP useless. I actually NEED that app to work. I travel across this country all the time. Another thing that would be helpful; IF something like the “breadcrumbs” that my Expedition had, were available. CAN YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN? to THIS vehicle? I really don’t even care how much it cost. JUST MAKE IT AVAILABLE. Thank you so far.