2013 Navigation - what exactly is different

[cab]

So I keep hearing about updates to the navigation for 2013, but can't tell exactly what that entails? It looks like MyLink is added and i THINK that just means bluetooth streaming (i.e. Pandora, MP3s, etc.). Is MyLink more than that? Are there other changes beyond MyLink (i.e. hardware, screen size, new core nav capability)? We purchased my wife's Volvo this year and there was a wholesale re-design of the Nav and everything else introduced in mid 2011 which persuaded us to get a 2011.5 or later model as opposed to a 2010 or early 2011. Trying to determine if the 2013 Nav will be significantly different and worth waiting for.

[dwl]

Well, MyLink is already out in a few late MY2012 Volts. So there are people here that have first hand experience with what the MyLink navigation is like. I think there's a MyLink app that can tie in to your phone's navigation if you have turn-by-turn. I THINK. Or maybe it's coming out soon. I can't remember which.

Based on the recent announcement, it sounds like there will be non-phone-based integrated navigation but no one really knows what that's going to be like. Assuming it's different than the existing OnStar turn-by-turn.

I am getting the impression that they're axing the Nav package as we know it, though.

[drbruns]

For MY2012, there is no Nav available with MyLink. There is no MyLink app to do turn by turn at this time either. The only MyLink apps right now are Pandora and Stitcher. I have heard rumors that a Nav app will be added.

Right now MyLink gives you voice active controls over several functions, (phone pairing, radio tuning, voice commands for USB music devices, as well as bluetooth streaming of music on your andriod phone). iPhone currently requires to be plugged into USB.

I previously used the Google navigation app on my andriod phone and now I am using OnStar since it is free for the first 3 years.

According to Vold Advisor Trevor, MyLink will be standard on all MY2013 Volts, including those with the Nav option.

[Neromanceres]

Navigation is not the same as Onstar turn by turn. All Volts have Onstar turn by turn. The Navigation gives you the full moving map and route details.

To my knowledge it appears that the 2013's might be loosing the 30GB hard drive. But Mylink which is now standard on the 2013's will now work with the navigation package.

It seems like the Volt will now have the same setup as other 2013MY GM vehicles like the Malibu, Traverse, Enclave, Acadia, Regal, Lacrosse, Spark, Verano, SRX, ATS, XTS that all use a 7" touch screen with some type of GM infotainment system. This was likely done to save costs. By 2014 all GM vehicles will have an optional colour touch screen infotainment system.

[drbruns]

Navigation is not the same as Onstar turn by turn.

No argument here (if you were referring to my previous post). To me a navigation app is one that helps me get from A to B and turn by turn works fine. I understand there is a lot more to a full blown navigation package.

The 2013 is losing the 30gb hard drive. I personally did not think the Nav option was worth $1995 but I can certainly appreciate that others may think differently.

[saghost]

The available information suggests new core functionality/design. At this point, we don't know if it'll be better, worse, or about the same - but since they're pulling out the hard drive and halving the option cost, I'd expect it to be less capable. (Of course, technology marches on, and it could turn out they're offering a better system for less money, but that doesn't happen very often.)

[dwl]

I suppose the hard drive could have been necessary to support a bad nav design, too. Maybe 2013 nav will be awesome. I don't think anyone is really going to know for several months, sadly. It's all of the stuff that they're not announcing that I'm interested in. The little UI tweaks, threshold adjustments and whatnot.

[cab]

Does MyLink or any feature of the current system "read" text messages to you by any chance? They keep listing the Nav system as "new" for 2013, but like everyone has said...other than MyLink (and lack of hard drive) it isn't clear what is "new" about it.

[drbruns]

MyLink does not process text messages in any way. It would be nice if it did. My sister's Camry has a similar system which does read the messages.

MyLink supposedly has a software comonent that can be updated by Volt owners by downloading updates from the mylink website and installing them into the Volt from the USB drive. As far as I know, there have been no Volt updates yet. Maybe an interface to text messages and some new Nav app could be implemented this way.

[Neromanceres]

No argument here (if you were referring to my previous post). To me a navigation app is one that helps me get from A to B and turn by turn works fine. I understand there is a lot more to a full blown navigation package.

The 2013 is losing the 30gb hard drive. I personally did not think the Nav option was worth $1995 but I can certainly appreciate that others may think differently.

Looking at autobytel.com which has pricing for the 2013 Volt it looks like the Navigation will see a masive price reduction to $895. But it also requires the Bose audio system which is a $495 option.