Is the app included in the infotainment center?

The more I'm reading about the apps, it appears you need to have another device (smart phone, Tablet, Ipod, etc) connected to the USB for any apps to work. Yes? So for Pandora, I'd have to plug in my IPod or Smartphone with the Pandora app installed, and then the icon on the infotainment center becomes active.

Extrapolating this, if Spotify is not an included app, then any input of info would have to be done on the separate device to be played though the car speakers. Connection via Bluetooth or USB cable. Correct?

 

The only streaming app is Pandora. Otherwise you will need to use something like bluetooth to stream audio.

 

I read this on the mylink website. Apparently you have to use an external device to access Pandora. So, it appears the only functionality you get with the infotainment center is a push button on your dashboard to operate Pandora on your attached device.

If you have 4G on your phone you can stream anything you have loaded on that device via Bluetooth to your car speakers.

I foolishly thought that the apps build into the infotainment center were the actual apps (where you would not need an external device hanging off a USB port) and could set up your online account (one time in the car) and push the buttons on the dash screen to steam music or radio (if you had a data plan added to your car).

Taking this one step further, if you have an Ipod or tablet (Wifi only) and a data plan on the car, you connect the Ipod/tablet to the internet via the 4G on the car, connect to Pandora and connect a USB to the car to be able to operate the song skips from the dash (or steering wheel).

Or connect to any online streaming service and connect via bluethooth wirelessly or through a USB and operate changes through the actual device.

Not a really impressive integration if that is in fact how it works.

From the MyLink Website

Pandora Internet Radio

Listen to your own personalized radio stations based on your favorite songs, artists, comedians or composers with the Pandora® mobile app† on your compatible smartphone. Pandora lets you create your own stations based on a particular artist or genre. You can even customize your stations by marking songs you like as you discover new music. With Chevrolet MyLink†, you can access the app right from the color touch-screen once your smartphone is paired with the Chevrolet MyLink† system. For full functionality, Apple devices should be plugged into USB ports†.

Learn more when you watch this how-to video:

Playing Pandora Internet Radio

 

The Pandora app pre-dates having 4G LTE available on GM cars. All the app does is provide an onscreen control for the application on your phone. Personally, I would hate to be locked into ATT and their pricing just to stream Pandora. You are talking $15-30/month to stream medium quality content.

 

Check out this thread https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...gm-4g-lte.html

 

Yes, Agreed, they get you coming or going. Not a big cell phone guy. Love a tablet on wifi. No cheap way to use a wifi item in the car without paying through the nose (minimum $20 a month for 1 GB of data per month- probably the bare minimum one would need to stream audio content)

Using a Cell and it's signal rather defeats the better antenna they furnish with the car to grab the Internet signal.

Probably best to use USB drives of favorites and shun the Wifi, ON star wireless business.

I'm betting most guys are using their cell packages to get the content rather than the OnStar ATT plan.

Cannot believe how hooked we are on all the infotainment (and the cost of it).