Chevy to Take On Ford with MyLink

Posted by at 9:09 pm on February 17, 2011

GM’s Chevy kicked off GM’s own alternative to Ford Sync tonight. MyLink is designed to pair up with smartphones and will stream audio and handle calls from smartphones over Bluetooth. Like its challenger, it uses voice commands and will directly control smartphone apps aware of the interface, starting with Internet radio from Pandora and Stitcher.

“There is a new generation of car buyers who don’t want to settle for mass market radio,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. “They want to create their own individual stations and have access to them wherever they are. Chevrolet vehicles have offered customers the ability to use portable media devices since 2006 and the introduction of MyLink takes media personalization to a new level. ”

Which smartphone platforms would be supported wasn’t disclosed. Ford either has or has planned support for Android, BlackBerry and iOS hardware.

The MyLink will center on a seven-inch touchscreen to steer any visually oriented tasks and improves USB support to load up apps from a flash drive. It continues to take in AM/FM, Sirius XM and CD audio; the driver’s own tracks are scanned by Gracenote to simplify voice commands and are accompanied by album art when possible. OnStar already provides much of the in-car navigation and other Sync like features.

Benefits provided by MyLink

  • Enhanced hands-free voice control system powered by Nuance, which allows simple voice commands to initiate phone calls and select radio stations or media from portable MP3 players and smartphones. A tap of a button on the steering wheel enables intuitive verbal control of smartphone applications like “play (artist name)” or “call (name of contact)” to keep the driver’s hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
  • Pandora internet radio allows users to create personalized radio stations based on favorite artists or genres and Stitcher SmartRadio enables access to thousands of audio programming choices allowing customers to build a personalized listening experience. MyLink integrates control of both of these apps for a driver directed listening experience.
  • Gracenote: identifies the music collection on the driver’s smartphone or MP3 player and presents information such artist name, genres and album cover art on the MyLink screen and enables users to select similar music to the tunes they love. Gracenote also improves the accuracy of MyLink’s voice activation system by allowing users to access music using artist nicknames, such as “The Boss,” “G.N.R,” or “The Fab Four” simply by using MyLink’s touch-screen or steering wheel buttons and voice control interfaces.
  • Upgraded USB connectivity: While Chevrolet has offered auxiliary device connectivity since 2006, MyLink adds flash memory capability to its USB device connections. This provides users with the ability to access approved applications that will make their MyLink system even more functional, while assuring that driver’s maintain eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

The combination of MyLink and OnStar will soon be joined by the integration of the Powermat charging system – eliminating the need for charging cords. Chevrolet MyLink will be available beginning with the 2012 Chevrolet Volt and Equinox this fall before expanding to other vehicles in the Chevy lineup over the next 18 months.

1 Comment for “Chevy to Take On Ford with MyLink”

  1. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Doug Dobbins, Doug Dobbins. Doug Dobbins said: #Chevy to Take On #Ford with #MyLink http://is.gd/gir7XM […]

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