AUSTIN — Chevrolet said at South by Southwest that it will expand its in-vehicle entertainment offerings by integrating the new Beats Music streaming service into the Chevrolet AppShop, which will be available on select models later this year.
Beats Music, officially launched earlier this year, provides listeners with a blend of digital innovation and human-created playlists from music experts across all genres for a truly personalized and curated experience, according to Chevy.
A data connection for the Chevrolet AppShop will be possible thanks to the availability of high-speed 4G LTE connectivity and data plans through OnStar on most Chevrolet vehicles later this year. Chevrolet expects to offer the broadest deployment of 4G LTE connectivity of any automotive brand, the company said.
Chevrolet will incorporate a version of Beats Music tailored for in-vehicle use. This includes such staple features as the Just For You personalized recommendations and the Highlights staff recommendations. Users will also have access to all of the playlists they’ve saved or created through their mobile accounts, and can choose from dozens of playlists for all drive times – from road trips to traffic jams to Sunday cruising and more. A trial or paid Beats Music account will be required. Features that require a large amount of attention – such as those that use a keyboard – will be unavailable while the vehicle is in motion.
The Chevrolet AppShop will begin to roll out later this year on select 2015 models in the U.S. and Canada with MyLink technology from the Cruze to the Colorado.
Chevrolet AppShop is accessible through an icon displayed on the MyLink screen on properly equipped vehicles that allows owners to view all available apps and download them directly to the vehicle, then organize, configure, or delete them. Planned in-vehicle apps will connect drivers to music, news, weather, travel information, vehicle data, and more.
“It’s all about giving our customers options to be connected in their vehicle,” said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet marketing director. “We realize there’s not a one-size-fits-all option for everybody. So, we’re focused on giving people ability to choose their preferred music service while also opening their eyes to new services they may not have tried before.”
