Automotive

Chevrolet rolls out 4G LTE-equipped cars

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Chevrolet is launching an online AppShop its LTE-connected vehicles can access
An LTE option will begin to roll out with select 2015 Chevrolet models.
4G connectivity in 2015 Chevrolets will include a wifi hotspot
Chevrolet is launching an online AppShop its LTE-connected vehicles can access
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For years now we've been hearing about the dawn of the age of the "connected car." This week General Motors finally announced details on how it will be taking the phrase literally with its planned roll-out of new models that will come with an optional OnStar 4G LTE connection.

GM-owned Chevrolet announced in advance of the start of the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that its 2015 Corvette, Impala, Malibu, and Volt would be the first models to be available with a built-in connection to AT&T's high-speed network in the United States. Later, the Equinox, Silverado, Silverado HD, Spark and Spark EV will be getting the LTE option, and in Canada, where AT&T currently has an LTE data partnership with Rogers, the Chevrolet Trax also makes the connected lineup.

LTE connectivity in vehicles from GM and other automakers isn't a brand new thing, but this announcement from Chevrolet looks to be the biggest mass market deployment of the wireless broadband access by a vehicle brand so far.

LTE-enabled GM cars will also have Wi-Fi hotspots to keep every laptop, phone, tablet or whatever other device in the vehicle connected. Chevrolet hopes that the broader data pipes into the auto will also boost the value of its MyLink infotainment system and its built-in AppShop.

Apps announced today for the system include Vehicle Health, iHeartRadio, Priceline.com, The Weather Channel, NPR, Slacker Radio, TuneIn Radio, Cityseeker, Eventseeker, Glympse and Kaliki.

Source: GM

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2 comments
steveraxx
Hilarious, and not in a good way when people are looking for work they will be asked about their ability to "multitask." Several studies have shown what anyone with good powers of observations discerned, people do not actually do more than one thing at a time.
When people drive cars, most drivers can barely do that well. Keeping a car between two lines is only the start of driving. Now you add in cell phones and other distractions, and people crash, they kill other people. The last thing people need is connectivity in a car. If anything, cars need to return to simple interactions, like knobs. Not screens which take the focus off the road, and people then crash.
The interconnected car is all marketing and a terrible idea.
Matthew Du Puy
I'm always amazed at how little automobile designers attempt to future proof their vehicles. I really wanted a Tesla S but when I sat in it and found out that it had no removable modules for its technology, I had to turn it down. Forget that it didn't even have intelligent cruise control, the main control center (a 17" display) was connected to the world via a "3G" modem. Not upgradable. You'd think they or GM or even Ford who is kicking ass in the tech/ innovation department would simply use an generic data interface like USB and then let you install wireless options for different markets, segments and future proofing.
People keep cars for 5-15 years. They update their smart/connected devices every year or two and often what is in their pocket is their gateway to the world even in the car; be it traffic information, nav, HUD, music, dash-cam features, etc. Give me a car with replaceable modules for wireless and dash display or even just a dumb display that my smartphone screen can use and I'll buy your car. An LTE modem in a GM car is not innovative or worth reporting. This is an "also ran" feature.
I love my Infiniti M37 technology package. Intelligent cruise control and blind spot monitoring are a god-send until my car drives itself but I don't even touch the built in nav/display since Waze came out nor do I use the built in music hard drive. I'd be surprised to find anyone that does.