Photo Courtesy of GM
What the automotive industry calls infotainment is the merging of formerly separate controls for climate control, audio, video, GPS, text messaging and voice control into a single on-board display. Most systems interface with the driver’s smartphone. This area is becoming more competitive as car buyers are starting to extend their consumer technology expectations into the automotive space.
Infotainment systems have been around for some time, starting with on-board navigation, cell-phone and iPod integration. Some early adopters were faulted for their complexity, such as BMW’s iDrive and Mercedes’ COMMAND system. Each manufacturer is continuously updating its infotainment systems by adding more capabilities and reducing their complexity.
Ford has been a leader in this arena through their initial partnership with Microsoft on a system called SYNC, which offered a reliable Bluetooth connection to the stereo for hands free calling. It’s most recent offering, called MyFord Touch (and MyLincoln Touch) expanded on SYNC by integrating in-dash navigation, phone, entertainment and vehicle information in a unified interface. Key aspects of MyFord Touch include color designations for specific functions and voice and steering wheel controls to minimize driver distraction. Perhaps the most notable feature for car buyers are the two LCD screens next to the speedometer that can be customized to display specific functions (such as audio, climate control, tachometer, fuel, etc.).
Today, GM announced a competing product called Chevrolet MyLink. Apart from a similar naming convention, this new system will integrate smart phone capabilities such as GPS, phone and music with the car’s voice recognition, GPS and sound system.
The big news here is not that GM is offering a competing product, although that is long overdue, but that GM plans to separate the hardware from the software. Having to add another piece of hardware for added functionality is no longer acceptable. Consumers are now expecting regular software updates that add functionality.
This should make used cars more attractive as well. After all, who wants a used 2006 E-Class that can’t integrate with an iPod, let alone an iPhone?
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