General Motors Poised To Launch Maps+ App-Based Navigation
43
Sponsored Links
General Motors just announced the rollout of Maps+, a new app-based navigation system that promises a host of benefits for new and existing GM vehicle owners. The new system is powered by Mapbox.
“We know customers want an easy and convenient in-vehicle experience that improves over time,” said General Motors vice president of Global Connected Services, Santiago Chamorro. “We listened to customer feedback and developed a product that works seamlessly with our current infotainment systems and provides a highly personalized experience that will iterate throughout the lifetime of the vehicle.”
The new Maps+ system will offer customers a range of features, including quick access to things like favorite locations and local points of interest, search categories for things like coffee, food, fuel, and parking, real-time traffic updates and routing, speed limits and road hazards, and faster route notifications.
Beyond this range of helpful navigation features, the new Maps+ system will also offer access to music and podcasts through a single, simplified interface, plus predictive keyboard entry for searches, built-in Alexa support for voice commands, day and night modes for the map designs, and app projection.
“Our obsession is the driver,” said the CEO of Mapbox, Peter Sirota. “The map is the canvas for providing the driver with a delightful, easy-to-use experience. From discovering new places to avoiding traffic on your commute to paying at the pump or the plug, Maps+ lays the foundation for an excellent navigation experience. We are excited to build upon this with GM to continue to drive adoption.”
The new Maps+ system will be available on select 2018-model-year-and-newer Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles through Connected Vehicle, Premium and App Access subscription plans. Eligible drivers will notified when their vehicle is available for the Maps+ upgrade, with the rollout set to launch April 30th. In total, 900,000 General Motors vehicles are expected to receive the new Maps+ feature, with the rollout wrapping up by the end of the 2021 calendar year.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more General Motors technology news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Sponsored Links
Worth EVERY penny to have this!
Funny. I was thinking complete waste of time and money. Why waste time and money reinventing a wheel, a wheel that everyone with a smartphone already has? A wheel that these days automatically connects wirelessly every time you get into the vehicle.
Now, had GM done this back in the 2012/2013 before Android Auto and Apple Carplay became prevalent and able to put maps up on the vehicle’s infotainment screen, then this app may have been useful.
Only supporting 2018+ vehicles, who cares. The phones have been putting maps on the infotainment screens for 5+ years already, with automatic, real-time map updates and features far superior to the static, archaic dinosaur of the vehicle’s built-in Navigation.
1: Smartphone nav is useless without cellular coverage, whereas on-board nav has the data all stored. Go try to start a route with spotty coverage, it’s aggravating. Tech companies want you to use cloud-based nav so they can collect analytics from you and target ads based on where you go.
2: The smartphone directions don’t integrate into the HUD/cluster, at least in current GM and numerous other OEM platforms. If you use HUD for navigation, this is a big thing.
3: The in-vehicle system uses continually re-calibrated dead reckoning from wheel speed and steering angle sensors. Android Auto doesn’t offer that, while Wireless CarPlay is only limited to wheel speed. The in-vehicle systems work great in cities and places like parking garages.
4: If you’re using native infotainment sources, like XM and FM radio, it’s a pain to switch back and forth between phone projection and native interfaces.
5: You can have OnStar operator assistance find you stuff and send the destination to your nav, instead of fiddling with screens and search listings while driving.
6: GM’s system apparently utilizes their Super Cruise dataset, if you’re on one of the mapped roads, the exit guidance and previews are dead-on accurate, with terrain, lane splits, overpasses and everything, even on non-Super Cruise vehicles. It’s far better than Apple and Google’s.
Very unlikely that Maps+ will have locally stored data, particularly real-time updates. The basic maps themselves? Possibly. But these days, most connected vehicle solutions use cellular data to push content to the edge.
Right, Maps+ will be cloud based, like the current OnStar Turn-by-Turn, so point 1 doesn’t apply, and point 6 is unknown, but the rest should.
Actually, with Google Maps, you can download maps to your phone, so cell coverage not needed. Do this all the time.
If it were another manufacturer doing this everyone would be spitting crap on GM for not being the one doing it.
Seem like at times GM can’t win no mater what they do.
Totally agree.
OTA software is the Future. It took GM a long time but I think they are starting to get there.
I am very excited for GM’s Future
I wish non-nav cars could get this upgrade. My Volt only needs to have Nav enabled as all the tech for it is already in the car.
This upgrade is intended for non-nav cars. It replaces OnStar Turn-by-Turn which was stuck in the 90’s.
GM Press release: “For current owners of compatible vehicles that previously did not have navigation built in, Maps+ brings a connected ecosystem of voice assistants, navigation and apps into a singular experience.”
Cool! Hoping to see it on my LT Volt!
It does work for vehicles without navigation; That’s specifically why they made this!
It is for 2018+ GM vehicle without the built in navigation.
It can be accessed through the Apps in the vehicle’s infotainment system.
They have other services like Connected Navigation for vehicles with that built in from the factory.
Or alternatively for free.. Just plug in your phone for Apple CarPlay/Android Auto that updates instantaneously using Apple Maps/Google Maps
Okay so the app appeared today to install in my car. I installed it. This app does not replace the onstar turn-by-turn functionality the old nav screen and buttons are still there. It is added as a stand alone app that requires a connected service plan to see/use the map on the infotainment display. I was hoping it would replace the clunky old nav menus (the nav button on bottom of screen) and give me on dash map behind steering wheel like the preinstalled nav cars have. Ah well. Still better than nothing.
It’s quite convient to beable to use a cars Nav system. I often only connect my phone with Bluetooth because charging my phone through the cigarette lighter is more affective.
I am curious if this update will also apply to cars sold in Korea through GM Korea. In Korea, according to the policy of the GM headquarters, Telenav navigation is installed instead of Korean SME’s, which was used in the past, and I am curious about what has really changed.
Telenav navigation has significantly fewer and inaccurate POIs compared to Korean products, also it does not provide real-time traffic information. (In fact, there is real-time traffic information function, but unlike North America, it is meaningless because it does work with only Wi-Fi connection because it does not have a cellular function) About implementing updates, Telenav only do once a year (even their data from at least a year ago) in contrast to Korean companies do 3~4 times at the same period. Moreover, while competitors supports free update through OTA, Telenav can only update offline by purchasing a disposable SD card.
No matter how compared, Telenav navigation in Korea is not only so poor but is meaningless that comparison with its rival Hyundai Motor Group’s navi system, and it is also inferior to the existing navigation of Korean SMEs.
There are a number of reasons why Chevrolet’s car sales are declining in Korea every year, but I am convinced that one of the reason is the poor but expensive built-in navigation.
Telenav is the navigation engine and maps app. It’s not their problem. The data, at least in the US, comes from Here (formerly NAVTEQ). Some manufacturers, like Toyota, used Telenav with TomTom data instead. GM is the one responsible for getting the pieces together. In the US, we get OTA map updates via Wi-Fi and OnStar cellular.
Even so, the problems are same. Even in terms of functions other than data, real-time traffic information and OTA updates are not available, and there are extremely few items that can be set compared to competitors.
In short, all Korean navigation systems guide traffic control cameras, but those on GM cars are not. (only works when connected to Wi-Fi and also very inaccurate)
I don’t get it, why 2018 only, is there a problem 2017 GM vehicle. The current GM Nav., system in my High Country, and Z06 suck. I paid a big buck for these vehicles and can not update the Nav systems.
This is a costly venture cause I need to pay for the vehicle WIFI in order to to use Google Maps.
For google maps just download the trip to your phone and u don’t need to use wifi at all.
WASE is the best travel app period. Warns of upcoming hazards and police ect. Allows you to participate too. The map is clear and precise.
It is hard to accept that you purchase a GM vehicle (2013 Avalanche) and the navigation system can not be updated because GM no longer supports updates for the navigation system. Should the consumer no longer support GM?
You can still buy new maps to install via usb.
When I talk to GM about updates to navigation system on my 2013 Avalanche, GM says there are no current updates available to install on my vehicle. I don’t know where you would find a map update compatible with a proprietary GM navigation system if GM doesn’t make it. Apparently GM has chosen not to support my vehicle and many other vehicles in regards to updating older navigation systems.
Hmm well it seems the 2013 Avalanche has a DVD based update system for the maps.
Looks like latest one is from 2016
https:// gmnavdisc . navigation . com/product/Catalog/Catalog_Chevrolet_Avalanche_2013/GM-North-America-Map-Update-DENSO-Global-A-v-2016/sku/23286275/en_US/GMNA/USD
I don’t want Alexa in my home…and I sure as hell don’t want it in my vehicle! I hope there will be a way to disable/delete any apps that have integrated Alexa or Google Assistant.
How stupid that 2017 cars left out when 2017 models is when WiFi was added I have 2017 impala that is same as 2018 model how dumb
Excluding 2017 with WiFi is just another one of GM’s many dumb choices.
2017 Models do not have the app store in the vehicles nor do they have OTA updates for the infotainment system. So this would not work.
I have 2017 impala and have all market with WiFi as I have people app and pandora and Dublin donuts app and more so not true but I have built in nav and apple cae play so no biggie not getting this .
Did this ever download on any GM vehicles….as of May 3rd in my 2029 Buick envision and my 2021 GMC Yukon it is NOT showing up anywhere…..what happened?????
I just installed it in my 2019 Chevy Volt. You need to go into the Apps store in your infotainment screen and install it from there. It’s rolling out to 900k vehicles and not all of them will get it at the same time.
So I live in Canada, Canada based vehicles do not get this feature. AND Base model radios of IOR are also not eligible for this update.
Just thought I would provide this insight for those who are wondering.
I have a 2021 Suburban that has the navigation icon but no maps downloaded. I HATE CarPlay and just want my nav system to work. The dealership says they don’t have the maps and sent me to Here Nav but they only have “updates”…..I don’t have anything to update. What I need is the San disk card to install in the vehicle but cannot find where to get one. Any help would be appreciated!
I had the same thing happen last year with a Mercedes…..I was able to buy the disk from the dealership.
Wish you were able to assign a name to addresses that have been stored in favorites… maybe this will be addressed hopefully…
Was able to download the app, but when launched it says I need to have a “connected plan, press the OnStar button for $ details.” I contact OnStar, but I already have the Connected package that includes WiFi. Not understanding why this won’t work. 2020 Silverado.
Had the same issues, and finally got a Tech at OnStar to LISTEN to what I had on the Infotainment Screen. Go into “settings” and see if your wifi hotspot is turned on (should have a green indication) this was done while on the phone with them… Good Luck!!!
Thank you, Terry. It was an odd convo with OnStar – kind of like they aren’t prepared to support the app and getting everyone set up. I’m certain the Wi-Fi is on, as I always connect my cell phone to it when I’m driving and using Waze. But, I will double-check to make sure.
I like the idea of letting the Wi-Fi drive the native app within the head end and not having to use Carplay or Android platform with my phone constantly attached and projecting to the entertainment display.
Is it the “Connected Vehicle” plan?
Per GM:
Maps+ will be available on select vehicles through Connected Vehicle, Premium and App Access subscription plans.
Just purchased a 2021 Cadillac XT4, Map+ is installed but won’t start as it is asking for connected data plans which I have. Called on-star a few times each time get a call back that it should be working, but still the same error message.
Check the app store on the infotainment screen for update on Maps+
I live in Mexico, my vehicle is a 2022 model equipped with GM´s navigation and Alexa. I have a data plan, but Onstar says this service is not available for Mexico, only the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. I travel frequently to the USA, will this feature work when I enter US territory, I have a data plan suscription already,
You have to contact OnStar Support tell them of your travel plans and see if it would be available to you.
I wonder why they offer this service as atrial for 3 months, and afterwards do not allow us to keep using it. It makes Alexa partially useless when asking it for assistance while driving