The crushing disappointment of MyLink voice command feature

[pounamu]

Right off the bat: I've had my sonic for a week and I LOVE it so far. I haven't driven many cars in my life so maybe I don't have a high enough bar, but to me, the car is nimble, solid, fun, and amazingly, shockingly quiet (except when that turbo kicks in, but I kinda love that roar).

I'm enjoying MyLink, and while I haven't tried streaming movies on it yet, it plays the music on my phone just fine, and I'm honestly very impressed by the sound quality; depending on the music you listen to, and at factory settings, the bass comes through in this awesome, vibrating way that I love.

So, here comes the BUT. It's true, I didn't buy the car for the voice command feature. But seeing as it's heavily advertised, I'd expect it to goddamn WORK. I was all set and ready with my list of voice commands (so many commands!!) and guess what. When I press and hold the voice control on the steering wheel, I get the ping, but no "ready" or anything like that. I say my command (dial a number, play a radio station, whatever), get another sound of a tone chiming for my trouble, and then nada. Nothing happens. I'm using a Samsung Galaxy 4 phone. I'm getting an iphone 5 tomorrow from work, so I'll try and see if Siri does any better. But the point is, it's not working. I've looked through the threads on this forum, including the master MyLink thread, and my takeaway was to make sure I had an upgraded version of the MyLink software. Mine shows version 13.2 which I assume is the newest one. So, I am at a complete loss. Is this a Galaxy 4 issue? I have to say, it's super disappointing. When I simply press the voice button quickly, I get the phone screen, and I press it again and redial the last number I dialed. But holding the button for a second brings about the disappointing scenario described above.

So, guys, what do you suggest? In my opinion, if you've created an audio system that basically uses a customer's handheld device for 99% of its functions, you better make sure the damn thing works properly!

 

[KartRacer]

I think it's a galaxy issue. Seems there are other threads regarding Galaxy.
I use iPhone 5 and it works fine. The only issue I have is Bluetooth dropping and reconnecting. Taking to dealer soon to get that resolved,( I hope)

 

[ColonelPanic]

I was under the impression that there really isn't much in the way of voice recognition functionality built into this particular low-end MyLink unit...

I know the the only voice command stuff mine is capable of is all handled by Siri on the iphone. MyLink just passes it through. I don't have the latest and greatest version though.

 

[pounamu]

Thanks for your replies guys. I had no idea my version of MyLink wasn't the latest and greatest!! Do you mean there is a further upgrade on the MyLink systems in the Sonic, or are you comparing it to the systems in other Chevy cars? My Sonic is a 2013 and I believe was built in March of this year, so I'm hoping it's up to date...

The thing with the Samsung Galaxy S4 is interesting. It's one of the most popular phones on the planet, so not to have that functionality is pretty bizarre. I'll test out my new iphone tomorrow and will let you know how it goes. Just overall, the confusion with all the MyLink products out there, and not being clear which functionality yours has... The marketing making it appear as if the Sonic version would have the voice command functionality, and then finding out that's false - that's just not right. It's false advertising, in my opinion, and it needs to be fixed asap.

 

[pounamu]

Like, what is this?? My expectation was that the system would work similarly to this video. Interestingly, it says that it's a Sonic, but the steering wheel looks different. Still:
Chevy Sonic MyLink demonstration - YouTube
Doesn't sound like Siri to me!

Or this... I'm happy that Siri works with MyLink - though frankly, I could just turn up my phone's volume and be done with it:
Apple's Siri and Chevrolet MyLink | Sara LeBlanc | Faces of GM - YouTube

Basically, all that MyLink does in this case, is provide a hands-free (or almost hands free) interaction.

Again, if this is only available on iphones, this needs be made CLEAR to the consumer.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Hi pomanu

I am glad that you like your Sonic but I am sorry that you have this issue with your MyLink. Have you checked to see if you have the latest software? If not you can call our Infotainment Team. Thy should be able to walk you through any set up needed and answer any questions that you have. Please let me know if they are helpful to you. You can always send me a private message.

Infotainment Specialists
855-478-7767
Hours of Operation: 8:00am to 10:00pm EST
Seven days a week

Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[pounamu]

Hi pomanu

I am glad that you like your Sonic but I am sorry that you have this issue with your MyLink. Have you checked to see if you have the latest software? If not you can call our Infotainment Team. Thy should be able to walk you through any set up needed and answer any questions that you have. Please let me know if they are helpful to you. You can always send me a private message.

Infotainment Specialists
855-478-7767
Hours of Operation: 8:00am to 10:00pm EST
Seven days a week

Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care

Jackie, thank you for responding. As I mentioned above, the software version on my Sonic is 13.2. Is this the most updated version? What I'm trying to understand is, what to expect from MyLink in terms of voice recognition. I'm trying to understand whether the system is really so inherently limited, or whether something is wrong with my particular system. I suppose i"l have to call the infotainment number above.

 

[ColonelPanic]

I had no idea my version of MyLink wasn't the latest and greatest!! Do you mean there is a further upgrade on the MyLink systems in the Sonic, or are you comparing it to the systems in other Chevy cars? My Sonic is a 2013 and I believe was built in March of this year, so I'm hoping it's up to date...

By "latest and greatest" I meant software-wise. My 01/13 build Sonic still has the MyLink software it left the factory with and there have been some revisions since. I do not have Siri Eyes Free, Tune In, Bringgo or the like. IIRC a new build came out in April or so, and maybe some newer ones after that -- check with the infotainment people as mentioned to see if there are any applicable updates.

And yes another thing I was hinting at was the MyLink setup in the Sonic is not quite as feature-filled as it is on some upper models. As to be expected with an entry level car.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Yes I understand pomanu. Unfortunately I don't have that information and I am also not a technician. I wish I could help you more but the Infotainment Team will be the best team to call to get these questions answered. If you need assistance with anything else feel free to send me a message.

Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[ftwphoto]

Like, what is this?? My expectation was that the system would work similarly to this video. Interestingly, it says that it's a Sonic, but the steering wheel looks different. Still:
Chevy Sonic MyLink demonstration - YouTube
Doesn't sound like Siri to me!

Or this... I'm happy that Siri works with MyLink - though frankly, I could just turn up my phone's volume and be done with it:
Apple's Siri and Chevrolet MyLink | Sara LeBlanc | Faces of GM - YouTube

Basically, all that MyLink does in this case, is provide a hands-free (or almost hands free) interaction.

Again, if this is only available on iphones, this needs be made CLEAR to the consumer.

So to clarify some things for you:

1) The first is not a sonic, nor is it using the type of mylink found in a sonic. The title of that video is wrong. That video is showing a different car, that is not using voice control passthrough, so it can do things like dial a radio or use navigation (which we don't get on our sonic mylink unless we use an app, and then we can't use voice control to do anything with it)

2) Regarding the second video, this is showing Siri passthrough. All of the questions being asked of Siri are questions you could ask it if you were sitting on your couch using your phone. None of them are specific to being in a car.

3) It isn't limited to iPhones, it will work with Android devices, but again, you are limited to the responses Android is capable of giving you.

The major reason for this, is in order to cut costs on the Sonic/Spark, they decided not to integrate an OEM voice system or nav system. The Sonic/Spark MyLink relies on your phone to provide both of these services.

Because of this, it is both greatly limited when it comes to car interaction, but also considerably more versatile when it comes to phone interaction. You can ask it to change the radio station, because it can't control the car, but many cars wouldn't be able to tell you your agenda or send a text for you.

So it is kind of a catch 22. If you really wanted to control all the radio functions with the voice control, your out of luck, however, if you just really want to be able to interact with what's happening on your cellphone, it can do
more then the average system.

Hope that helps.

 

[pounamu]

ftwphoto, what a fantastic reply, thank you! It really clarified things for me.
So it looks like I can't control my radio (switching stations etc) through this version of MyLink, but I can make voice activated phone calls and such. That's a great start.

So, I went to investigate my Galaxy S4 just now, and the voice commands work perfectly to make calls, play music from the device, etc. So there must be something that is happening between this and using the phone with the car that's not quite right. Here's what I discovered that may be making a difference: S Voice, the equivalent of Siri on Galaxy S4, has a "driving mode". You can connect to the vehicle and put this feature in driving mode - perhaps this will solve the problem?

It's too late for me to check this now, but I'll try it tomorrow morning and see if it makes a difference, because at this point, S Voice just isn't connecting to the car properly. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow morning.