[JRRF]

I got an email from Onstar about a "store" where I could download apps right into my car. I see no such thing on my touchscreen. Did I miss something?

 

[RePo]

Post the email here. Then we'll know what the deal is.

 

[JRRF]

Here's the youtube link that is referenced in the email:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0vsqEwBwHE

 

[Barry]

At the link below, it says "functionality varies by model," and the vehicle shown in the video is not a Volt.

http://www.chevrolet.com/owners/mylink-vehicle-technology

 

[VikAiRious]

On youtube there is this video on how to set up Shop, you have to register to sign into shop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlAmYRTuWug

 

[JRRF]

So you have to have a wifi connection active. But you still need to have that "Shop" icon. I've never seen it. And they show a Malibu with this feature. It's hard to believe the Volt wouldn't also have it.

 

[manddarran]

http://www.chevrolet.com/owners/mylink-vehicle-technology

Not sure if works in our volts though.

 

[llninja]

too little, too late. Had this functionality been around in the early 2000s, and they created a developer ecosystem, they could have apps in the car infotainment systems far ahead of the iPhone and iPad. They should have made the subscription price free, used advertising and app sales for revenue generation, and made Onstar far more useful than it is today. Alas, stupid beancounters trying to get an ROI on a flawed product is the reason I don't renew my free subscriptions into a paid for one. I get value from my smartphone data plan. I don't see value in an Onstar subscription.

 

[JRRF]

too little, too late. Had this functionality been around in the early 2000s, and they created a developer ecosystem, they could have apps in the car infotainment systems far ahead of the iPhone and iPad. They should have made the subscription price free, used advertising and app sales for revenue generation, and made Onstar far more useful than it is today. Alas, stupid beancounters trying to get an ROI on a flawed product is the reason I don't renew my free subscriptions into a paid for one. I get value from my smartphone data plan. I don't see value in an Onstar subscription.

They certainly could have done a lot more. But the issue they have is reliability. The system architecture in the car is primitive compared to an iOS or Android, but it is very stable, and unfortunately also very hack-able. You wouldn't want to put any of your private data into a car based system. And with every new car you'd have to transfer it. Carplay and Android Auto are not only the wave of the future, but also probably the best option. What's yours is yours no matter what car you enter.

Heck, I had a 2011 car with a big HD in it that they wanted you to load your music onto. That's primitive even by today's standards.

 

[Entry45]

looking at the 2018 volt on chevy.com you can see the Shop icon:

 

[manddarran]

that means dealers can install if for you for $500!

 

[JRRF]

that means dealers can install if for you for $500!

LOL!

looking at the 2018 volt on chevy.com you can see the Shop icon:

So maybe it's only a 2018+ option.

 

[Insight Refugee]

Bumping this because I'm confused ...

OnStar just sent me an email saying that "[my] Volt has apps built right in", but I've never had the "Shop" icon show up.

Is this something that the dealer can add via a software update or is Chevy punking me?

 

[JRRF]

Bumping this because I'm confused ...

OnStar just sent me an email saying that "[my] Volt has apps built right in", but I've never had the "Shop" icon show up.

Is this something that the dealer can add via a software update or is Chevy punking me?

They are punking you. This is only for 2018

 

[Steverino]

Automated marketing sometimes fails to be sophisticated enough to do more than one-size fits all. My service rep also said my Bolt EV's ICE needed an oil change before he caught himself. We both had a laugh over that.

 

[Insight Refugee]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[jcanoe]

I also received this email and even though I have an active OnStar account with roadside assistance and a data plan I do not have the Shop App. I believe that you need to have the latest 4G LTE radio unit in the vehicle to be able to use the Shop App. The early 2017 Volts have the older radio unit.

If they put a 15% higher capacity battery and a 7.2kW charger in the 2019 Volt, along with the Shop App, that might get me to trade my 2017.