VF COMMODORE: Getting connected

GM’s MyLink infotainment brand comes to the fore in Holden's newest model, with the VF Commodore expanding the feature set compared to the systems seen in the current Barina CDX and Cruze models.

In-car infotainment has progressed rapidly in recent times as the automobile industry desperately tries to keep pace with consumer expectations in a connected world of smartphones, 3G coverage and user-selectable entertainment.

There is an expectation from new-car buyers that car manufactures can provide the same pace of development in vehicles as has been the case with the home tech environment -- despite the years of development, planning and engineering that go into each new car model.

No more is it acceptable to simply have an AM/FM radio and CD player at hand when on the go and today’s consumer demands advance well beyond the quality and number of speakers providing the entertainment. MyLink is GM’s attempt to meet the demands and tech usage habits of typical new-car customers and buyers of Australia’s humble Commodore are the winners.

It is somewhat of a gamble for The General, which has been hiring teams of software engineers in the US to keep pace with the future direction of consumer tech demand. But by accommodating a range of different consumer tech choices, MyLink provides a framework that is more flexible and ‘updatable’ than many in-car technologies.

MyLink features embedded apps such as Pandora and Stitcher, which open up digital in-car entertainment users to a new world of both music and talk content not normally available. The rub is they will only work when the user’s smartphone also has the app installed and when 3G or 4G data is available. This puts the onus --  and to some degree the control -- back on the phone owner.

With Stitcher in particular, GM has put in extra effort to add more Australian content to what in the past has been criticised for its US-centric bent. It can also be used in offline mode, where content like songs or podcasts is preloaded to the phone and streamed to MyLink from the phone rather than chewing through 3G data allocations.

On that point, GM has also worked with app developers on optimising data usage. Pandora for example runs at 32kb per second, this means hours upon hours of use before pushing data cap limits of a typical phone contract.

The VF Commodore’s eight-inch screen is surprisingly reactive to touch -- better than comparable screens in upmarket European brands. The interface is simple with large icons and features a pleasant blue theme and consistent layout. The display is also customisable so owners can pick and display the icons they use the most.

Setting up Bluetooth connectivity to our iPhone was easy, with one extra step of authorising the phone to show notifications. The system allows up to five phones to be paired.

It would seem Android is the operating system of choice, however. There are some minor restrictions with using when using iOS devices due to the nature of Apple’s closed operating system. For example, to use apps such as Pandora, the iPhone needs to be connected via the standard USB cable connection located in the centre console compartment (which includes handy cord ‘grooves’ to let the phone sit outside the console box).

The main step up with GM’s VF version of MyLink is the inclusion of a full voice recognition command system to enable safer hands-free driver control, as well as the chance to show off a little.

Holden knows just how hard it is to nail a good voice recognition system -- it needs to be responsive and tolerant to a wide array of human voice patterns. In particular, a great deal of accent localisation has gone into the development.

This is a quintessential Australian vehicle and while “strewth”, “cobber” and “dinkum” might not be part of the lexicon, the system will certainly recognise the local drawl with ease. Those from New Zealand may need to choose their commands more wisely.

The VR system allows eyes-on-the-road access to make calls, tune radio stations, launch apps and, where it’s equipped, operate the sat-nav. In the case of the latter it enables the natural spoken input of a destination address.

“Tune FM to 102.7” gets the cars radio connected, while a simple “call” followed by a name in your phone list or a number will get that dialled.

MyLink will also read out SMS messages received and offer ‘templated’ responses which can be sent as a quick reply. These responses are also customisable, but alas this is another feature not available to iOS users.

At least Apple device owners can use Siri Eyes Free which is now integrated into MyLink. In essence this means your friendly assistant can set reminders and look up other details without any information appearing on the phone screen.

Rounding out the features, MyLink allows CD playback and, on models equipped with the integrated sat-nav system, is capable of DVD playback (when parked). Unlike some similar systems, however, there is no hard-drive allowing the onboard storage of songs with MyLink.

Rather than putting in systems such as DAB+ digital radio, Holden is taking a different path with its infotainment systems. Opting for a more software-driven experience that is easily updatable and allows for changes in the technology used by customers during their ownership period could prove a savvy move.

Links to motoring.com.au’s VF Commodore news
>> Mission accomplished: Holden had simple aims for VF
>> Steering a new path: EPAS is the headline item but VF’s chassis represents significant change
>> Aero Dynamic: Pedestrian safety and aerodynamics have shaped VF
>> Inside Job: Fewer parts and better materials drive VF Commodore’s interior upgrade
>> Large car future proofed: VF’s new electrical platform plays a vital role
>> Power games: Carry over powertrains don’t detract from VF story
>> Safely integrated: No US-spec kneebag but Holden says VF is safer

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>> First Drive -- VF Commodore SV6 Ute
>> Along for the ride: In a very small way motoring.com.au played its part in the VF