A new family of color touch screen infotainment systems is being introduced -- the Color Radio (RPO UFU) and Connected Color Radio (RPO UP9) -- for 2012 and 2013 model year vehicles. The systems use a 7-inch or 8-inch touch screen and an icon-based interface.
The Color Radio offers entry/mid-level radio features. The uplevel Connected Color Radio (Fig. 2) is equipped with the MyLink (Chevrolet) or IntelliLink (Buick and GMC) system that has provisions for the owner to stream music and other programs via a smartphone and the Internet, and includes these features:
- AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 capability
- USB input
- AUX input
- iPod™/mass storage device support
- Bluetooth hands-free phone and Bluetooth audio streaming
- Voice Recognition control
- Full color touch screen
- Upgradeable software by USB
Fig. 2
Each infotainment system can be controlled by using the faceplate knobs and buttons, the touch screen and voice recognition (activated through the audio steering wheel controls).
Advanced Connectivity
The Connected Color Radio offers the following advanced connectivity features and benefits.
Bluetooth - Instead of just being able to wirelessly connect a cell phone to the vehicle to make phone calls, Bluetooth acts almost like a USB connection that is wireless. It enables access to features on a smartphone such as contact lists and music. It also allows data (music, voice, information) to stream over the wireless Bluetooth connection. The Bluetooth hardware, antenna and functionality are part of the radio.
Bluetooth Streaming Audio - Bluetooth Streaming Audio allows pairing a smartphone, feature phone or device that supports streaming audio and then playing music wirelessly through the Bluetooth connection.
TIP: After pairing a Bluetooth-enabled device, the Bluetooth audio screen button may be available even if the device does not support it. In this case, the button will not do anything.
Enhanced Voice Recognition - Short commands can be given through the hands-free Push to Talk button and the radio system will respond.
Smartphone App Integration - Initially, this feature will function only with iPhone, Android, or Blackberry smartphones. It uses the phone's data connection to access Internet radio apps Pandora® and Stitcher™.
The Pandora app streams music and the Stitcher app streams news and other programs. These apps reside on the radio and are accessed from the touch screen or from the voice recognition system. They get the data they need through the Bluetooth or USB (for iPhone) connection accessing the phone's data connection.
TIP: Customers should be advised that when connected, they are using their smartphone's data plan.
Gracenote - Gracenote technology embedded into the CCR radio helps manage and navigate the USB device music collection. When a USB device is connected to the radio, Gracenote identifies the music collection and delivers the correct album, artist name, genres, and cover art on the screen. Gracenote will try to fill in any missing information. Gracenote database updates will be available online through www.chevrolet.com/mylink, www.buick.com/intellilink, and www.gmc.com/intellilink.
TIP: Gracenote indexes music information only when the mobile device is connected through the USB port.
USB Connectivity - An iPod™, an MP3 Player, or a USB flash drive can be plugged into the USB port. The USB icon displays when a USB device is connected.
Customer Upgradeability
In addition to the standard software update via TIS2Web, the new Connected Color Radio is upgradeable by the owner using the USB connection. Downloads are web-based using a USB flash drive, and allow existing features to be updated and new features to be added.
TIP: Be sure the customer understands that after an update, Bluetooth devices will need to be paired again and USB devices may need to be re-indexed.
Customers can perform some updates themselves; others may require a trip to the dealership. Customers will be informed when they can or cannot perform updates themselves.
Complete instructions for the USB software upgrade process can be located on the GM vehicle's brand website. The updates will be available after logging into the customer's GM account online.
The updates must be saved to a USB drive, which is taken to the vehicle and plugged into the USB port. The engine must be running until the update is completed.
- Start the engine.
- Insert the USB drive into the USB port.
- Press CONFIG.
- Touch Radio Settings.
- Touch Software Versions Menu.
- Touch Update Radio Software.
- Follow the on-screen prompts.
- Remove the USB drive when the update is complete.
Voice Recognition
Voice recognition can be set up to respond to English, Spanish, French and German.
Users can control their favorite music source and make phone calls hands-free. To use the enhanced voice recognition, simply press the Push to Talk button on the steering wheel. The radio will say "Please say a command" followed by a beep. After the beep, the user tells the radio what to do.
See the MyLink/IntelliLink Features and Functions Guide for a complete list of voice commands.
- Example calling commands: "Call Amanda" or "Dial 555-1212"
- Example music device commands: "Play artist Van Halen" or "Play song 'Dance the Night Away'"
- Example radio commands: "Tune FM 104.3" or "Tune XM Classic Vinyl"
Internet Radio Services
Currently, two embedded applications reside in the radio -- Pandora Internet Radio and Stitcher SmartRadio. The Pandora and Stitcher applications on the radio are used to remotely control each application on the smartphone.
Pandora Internet Radio is a free personalized Internet radio service that streams radio stations based on favorite artists or genres (a slight delay may occur when loading a song or changing a station). (Fig. 3) Pandora is not available in Canada.
Fig. 3
To use Pandora, customers must download the latest Pandora app to the appropriate smartphone and then restart it. Pressing the Pandora screen button on the touch screen launches the Pandora app on the smartphone.
Any stations created on the paired phone can be listened to in the vehicle. Favorite songs can be identified by saying "Thumbs up" using voice recognition or pressing "Thumbs up" on the touch screen.
Stitcher SmartRadio streams favorite news, sports and entertainments shows.
To use Stitcher, customers must download the Stitcher SmartRadio app to the smartphone and then restart it. Various radio program categories can be selected. Desired stations can be added to the favorites list by pressing the Star button.
TIP: BlackBerry phones do not support this application.
Remind customers that the smartphone uses its data connection to stream the music and news (similar to just launching the Pandora or Stitcher app on the smartphone without using the vehicle's radio).
TIP: The ability to stream Pandora or Stitcher via the radio is directly dependent on the smartphone data connection to the cellular tower/Wi-Fi hotspot. If the data connection is poor or intermittent, music streaming will be adversely affected.
If a "Please See Device" radio error message is displayed, common causes are:
- Lost cellular data connection/Wi-Fi hotspot
- Bluetooth connection between the phone and the radio
- Lost USB connection between the phone and the radio
- Low battery on the phone/device
- Application on the phone terminated unexpectedly
- Thanks to Anthony Kraatz and Katul Patel
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