OREANDA-NEWS. January 08, 2013. They may be small cars, but future Chevrolet Sparks and Sonics will pack a world of infotainment choices with the addition of streaming audio powerhouse TuneIn and its global network of 70,000 stations. Today for the first time, Chevrolet will demonstrate TuneIn capability – in a 2014 Spark EV – at the Consumer Electronics Show, reported the press-centre of GM.  

Enabled by a smartphone app compatible with the standard MyLink Radio on uplevel Spark and Sonic models, TuneIn will give customers all over the world access to global, personalized infotainment controlled through the car radio. It means a customer living in Chicago can dial in a talk radio station in Africa and a customer in South Korea can listen to his favorite electronic music station in Europe or jazz station in New Orleans.

MyLink is currently standard on the 2013 Spark LT and Sonic RS and LTZ models. It is available on the 2013 Sonic LS and LT. MyLink will be standard on the 2014 Spark EV when it goes on sale in summer 2013.

“We listened to customers around the world when we developed MyLink for Spark and Sonic, and we believe TuneIn will be a big hit with those who crave customized connectivity and entertainment,” said Cristi Landy, director, Chevrolet small cars and electric vehicles. “Our Spark and Sonic buyers will have a fantastic solution for tuning in to their favorite radio stations from around the world.”

TuneIn is one of three new smartphone app-based features expected to be available later this year for MyLink-equipped Spark and Sonic models. Others are BringGo, a full-function navigation system; and Siri, Apple’s intelligent assistant (for customers with a compatible iPhone running iOS 6) that allows drivers to get things done just by asking. (Customers should consult their dealer and check the Chevrolet website for updates on when these features will be available.)

Two other embedded apps, Pandora internet radio and Stitcher Smart Radio, were included with MyLink when it debuted in Spark and Sonic.

To access TuneIn through the MyLink Radio, a customer needs to download the free TuneIn Radio app to a compatible smartphone and connect the phone with MyLink for safe, seamless connectivity to live local, international and Internet radio. Users can search for programming by location, genre, sports team name, station type or call sign.

“TuneIn will add another dimension to Spark and Sonic infotainment choices, and demonstrates the ability to continually expand and update MyLink capabilities with new smartphone apps,” said Landy.

How MyLink Radio for Spark and Sonic works
The Spark’s MyLink Radio functions as an extension of the owner’s compatible iPhone, Android, or BlackBerry. MyLink also supports select phones with the Symbian operating system from Nokia and certain phones with the Windows Mobile operating system from Microsoft.

Owners connect their customized music libraries, contacts, videos and photos with the radio using their smartphones, and the vehicle’s Bluetooth, plug-in outlet or USB. Then, they select from options projected onto the seven-inch color touch-screen: Audio, Pictures & Movies, Telephone, Smartphone Link and Settings.

Each menu selection takes the user though a list of easy-to-select functions while the smartphone is safely stowed.

Siri Eyes Free Mode
Spark and Sonic customers with a compatible iPhone* running iOS 6 can direct Siri to perform a number of specific tasks while they keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. Owners will simply connect their iPhone with the MyLink radio via Bluetooth, pair with the system, and use the steering wheel voice activation button to begin and end sessions with Siri in its Eyes Free mode.

In MyLink-equipped Spark and Sonic models, owners will be able to use Siri in Eyes Free mode to:

Make voice-activated, hands-free calls to Contacts on their iPhone

Play songs from their iTunes library, and switch music sources from AM/FM/XM radio to iPod mode

Listen to, and compose and send an iMessage or text message to a phone number or anyone in saved Contacts

Access Calendar and add appointments

Keep the screen of the iPhone from lighting up, even when Siri answers simple questions such as game scores or the dates of national holidays

While in Eyes Free mode, Siri will not provide answers to complex questions that require displaying a web page.

* Siri is available in Beta only on iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad (3rd and 4th generations), iPad mini and iPod touch (5th generation), and requires Internet access. Siri may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Cellular data charges may apply.

BringGo will add full-function navigation, traffic updates

Consumers who purchase the BringGo embedded smartphone app for MyLink in the Spark and Sonic will have access to:

Emergency information such as police, fire and the nearest hospital

Thousands of points of interest, such as the nearest department store, restaurant by type, repair shop, etc.

Local Search via Google

Where am I? locator

Live traffic functionality for select crash reports, lane closures and alternative routes

3-D maps

Ability to calculate remaining miles of electric range

Ability to store native maps to the customer’s smartphone, giving them access to locations and turn-by-turn directions even when phone signal quality is poor. Many GPS-enabled apps do not do this.

All Spark and Sonic models come with six months of OnStar’s premium Directions and Connections service standard. OnStar brings added safety, security and connectivity to these vehicles, including services such as Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostics and Roadside Assistance.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About TuneIn
TuneIn lets people listen to the world’s music, sports, talk and news from wherever they are, with over 70,000 AM, FM, HD and Internet radio stations and more than two million on-demand programs streaming from every continent. To date, TuneIn has raised venture funding from General Catalyst, Sequoia Capital, Google Ventures and Jafco Ventures and is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif.