General Motors My Link

[shoeman]

I just watched a short video on GM INSIDE NEWS.COM on their new my link system. This system is as fast as an i pad in terms of connectivity and reaction to touch on the screen, this is what my ford touch hopefully will be like with the up grade in the next 2 months or so. If not Ford will possibly be faced with a real issue on their hands.

 

[harlenm]

I'm sure when they demoed MFT it was perfect in a test environment. It's the real world where the problem arose.

 

[jrmexplorer]

I just watched a short video on GM INSIDE NEWS.COM on their new my link system. This system is as fast as an i pad in terms of connectivity and reaction to touch on the screen, this is what my ford touch hopefully will be like with the up grade in the next 2 months or so. If not Ford will possibly be faced with a real issue on their hands.

I took a look at it. Nothing special. In fact I think I like MFT better. The new MFT will be fine once we get Pandora integration and a little bit better responsiveness.

Please note: the responsiveness won't ever feel like that of an iPad. That's because an iPad has a capacitive touchscreen, whereas the MFT main screen has a resistive touch screen. In short, the capacitive touch screen senses a touch based on a change in the stored charge held in the screen, whereas a resistive touch screen uses flexible plastic with transparent conductors on it to complete a circuit. That's why you have to push a bit harder to register a touch. You should feel the plastic bend slightly. What this means is that you have to press a bit harder, and there are going to be times when it doesn't register the touch because you didnt' press hard enough. You'll note that the controls on the Sony radio are capacitive - that's why they are so easy to touch.

Resistive screens are generally thought to be more durable over the long haul then capacitive touch screens.

-J

 

[jrmexplorer]

I'm sure when they demoed MFT it was perfect in a test environment. It's the real world where the problem arose.

+1

 

[shoeman]

I agree that I like the screen and ability to change functions with MFT. My link as well is not voice control as Ford Touch, just stating the swiftness of the system as shown on the video, when touch screen is utilized.

 

[MaynardMonster]

this system is as fast as an i pad.

...lol

 

[chimoman]

...lol

lmaoshmsfoaidmt

 

[Sgt1411]

Are you sure you're not referring to the new Cadillac system "CUE"?

CUE is the GM equivalent to MFT and its much more advanced at this stage of development.

MyLink is a mobile App kinda like Ford's AppLink.

 

[shoeman]

Thx Sarg. Yes you are right . There are a few videos out there , it was the Caddy system that I was looking at. And yes this does at the moment seem to be a much smoother system from the short video.

 

[Sgt1411]

I saw that video too.............if that demo version works like that in the production vehicles then GM has really stepped up and the MFT Development Team has its work cut out for them.

What is really nice is the user customization thats allowed. You can make it as advanced or basic as you want.

Customer ability to ad Apps is also a bonus.

Hopefully we will get there soon.

 

[VinceL]

If the GM system turns out to be so good, we should benefit also. Nothing spurs innovation like a bit of competition.

 

[Sgt1411]

This explains it here.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2012/01/ces-2012-cadillac-cue-chevrolet-mylink-cd.html

 

[w1kedz]

Resistive screens are generally thought to be more durable over the long haul then capacitive touch screens.

Not only that, they don't react to "near" touches, or accidental touches, you must deliberately press where you want, making them more ideal in a vehicle situation where you may not be accurate when you reach toward the screen.

 

[jrmexplorer]

Not only that, they don't react to "near" touches, or accidental touches, you must deliberately press where you want, making them more ideal in a vehicle situation where you may not be accurate when you reach toward the screen.

 

[jrmexplorer]

This explains it here.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2012/01/ces-2012-cadillac-cue-chevrolet-mylink-cd.html

Interesting. It looks rather complicated. Capacitive touchscreen with haptic feedback is nice, but drag and drop in a car? Seems rather complicated and designed to take your eyes off the road. Who can drag and drop something while driving?

It will be interesting to see the auto-rags reaction to the system. Just watching the video it seemed really complicated, and I remember the criticism Ford got for the relatively simple four corners interface.

And there's this little gem:

"Chevy's MyLink also comes in two flavors, so to speak. There is a lower-end version, built and supplied by LG, that will be found in the 2013 Sonic and Spark, Chevrolet's entry-level autos. In these models, MyLink will be devoid of a built-in CD player.

However, a different version of MyLink built by Panasonic for higher-end Chevrolets such as the Volt and the Equinox can be ordered with a CD player as an option. With Cadillac Cue, owners can get a CD player in their glove box as an option.

The two variations of MyLink perform the same actions but offer different user interfaces and perform tasks a bit differently. For example, although both can handle voice recognition for hands-free calling, LG's version uses voice recognition software found in a connected smartphone, and the Panasonic version has this feature built in."

So, you're going to have two seperate user interfaces made by seperate companies. That's a huge mistake. Double the development costs and double the headaches with software quality. Not to mention the dealerships that have to service and support these systems. Ford's experience should be telling for GM that unless they do some major dealership training, they are going to be swimming upstream trying to manage one system, let alone two.