GM plans Rs 2500 navigation app

GM has found an interesting way to circumvent a costly sat-nav option for their cars: provide the customer with a touchscreen display in the car, but let it run off the maps and navigation systems they have on their smartphones. Most of us with touchscreen phones are already familiar with this concept - the only difference being that instead of an in-dash touchscreen we use windscreen mounts for our smartphones. The system will be called 'GoGoLink'.

The primary difficulties faced by the smartphone user, however, was the phone's screen size, which may be too small to see effectively while driving, and the inadequacy of the phone's speaker. GM neatly addresses both these issues with the car's screen and audio system - but there is an option that needs to be added to your GM product. 

Customers have to opt for Chevrolet's MyLink touchscreen system, which is standard on premium models but an option on the products at the budget end. The system's exact cost as an option has not been revealed by the company, but they have said that it will debut on the Spark (what we know as the Beat) and Sonic hatchbacks later this year. 

Given the Beat's positioning as a budget car in a marketplace as price-sensitive as the Indian marketplace, it is extremely unlikely that this option will make it to the Beat, but it sure will be an interesting alternative to aftermarket sat-nav systems that are currently the only option for the small- to medium- budget car buyer. India is well-versed with smartphone technology and navigation apps on handheld devices, so it won't be as much of a paradigm shift in thought as it will be to the American market, which has gotten used to in-car navigation systems.