AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 26 -- Today's consumers are
passionate about staying in touch and want to be connected no matter where
they are -- home, work, school or vehicle. To focus on the experience and
connect customers to the things that matter the most, Chrysler LLC will now
bundle innovative consumer technologies under one umbrella name -
"uconnect." The function of the feature is directly in the name - uconnect
phone, uconnect tunes, uconnect gps, uconnect studios and uconnect web.
"We set out to connect customers to the things that matter most to
them," said Deborah Meyer, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer -
Chrysler LLC. "The role for 'uconnect' in the 2009 model year places the
focus on the customer experience and how the features will make their life
easier."
Following are the definitions of the uconnect features.
uconnect phone
What it does: Uses Bluetooth(R) technology to provide voice-controlled
wireless communication between the occupants' compatible mobile phones and
the vehicle's onboard receiver. New for 2009, the hands-free system
automatically downloads up to 1,000 phone book entries from supported
phones. The system also recognizes three languages, and is capable of
learning. Voice commands can manage onboard phone book entries, select
radio stations and access voice mail. Voice memos can be recorded using the
microphone that's integrated within the rearview mirror. Three memos of up
to thirty seconds each can be stored in the system. The hands-free option
promotes safety, freedom, value and flexibility.
Availability: Chrysler 300, Aspen, PT Cruiser, Sebring and Town &
Country; Dodge Avenger, Grand Caravan, Caliber, Challenger, Charger,
Dakota, Durango, Journey, Nitro, and Ram; Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee,
Commander, Compass, Liberty and Patriot
Part of uconnect phone on select Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles is
an iPod interface, which allows an iPod to be plugged into the vehicle's
sound system to play music through the vehicle's speakers, charge/recharge
the iPod when the ignition is on, display artists and music choices on the
radio and pause play when uconnect phone receives a phone call. The iPod
can be controlled through the radio controls and the remote steering wheel
switches (if equipped). The system uses a Universal Customer Interface
(UCI) connector located either in the glove box or in the center console,
depending on vehicle model.
uconnect tunes
What it does: uconnect tunes includes the following features for music,
movie and personalized picture display:
-- A 30-gigabyte hard drive for ripping up to 6,700 songs from CD or
USB memory devices in compressed format (either MP3, AAC or WMA file
formats)
-- Photos can be loaded onto the hard drive, allowing the customer to
personalize the home screen
-- Movies can be displayed on the screen for entertaining passengers
when the vehicle is in Park (as permitted by the state regulations)
Availability: Chrysler 300, Aspen, Sebring and Town & Country; Dodge
Avenger, Caliber, Grand Caravan, Challenger, Charger, Journey, Nitro and
Ram 1500; Jeep Commander, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Patriot
uconnect gps
What it does: uconnect gps combines the features of uconnect phone and
uconnect tunes with navigation and real-time traffic. The system includes
an integrated voice recognition system and touch screen for easy operation.
The voice recognition system also recognizes more than 100,000 words and
can input addresses, which allows the customer to enter destinations while
the vehicle is in motion.
Availability: Chrysler 300, Aspen, Sebring and Town & Country; Dodge
Avenger, Caliber, Grand Caravan, Challenger, Charger, Journey, Nitro and
Ram; Jeep Commander, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Patriot
uconnect studios
What it does: uconnect studios offer optional SIRIUS Backseat TV(TM),
featuring three channels of family TV programming, and optional SIRIUS
Satellite Radio, with more than 130 channels of the best music,
entertainment and information coast to coast. The systems can be bundled or
opted for independently depending upon model availability, and either can
be operated from the rear-seat entertainment unit or from the radio head
unit.
-- Chrysler's uconnect studios offer optional SIRIUS Satellite Radio
which provides more than 130 channels, including 69 channels of 100 percent
commercial-free music, plus sports, news, talk and entertainment. Station
selection with the radio is easy, using the same familiar method as
choosing an AM or FM station. Consumers are able to scan channels or have
preset buttons for their favorite channels. They can also search both by
music category and channel, which is displayed on the radio screen.
Availability: SIRIUS Satellite Radio is available on all Chrysler, Jeep
and Dodge vehicles
-- Chrysler's uconnect studios offer optional SIRIUS Backseat TV which
features three channels of family TV programming: Nickelodeon, Disney
Channel and Cartoon Network. SIRIUS Backseat TV operates via an in-vehicle
satellite video receiver and two small roof-mounted antennas. Programming
is displayed on the vehicle's second- and/or third-row video screens, and
channel name, program title and rating is broadcasted and displayed on the
screen. In addition, when the vehicle is in Park, programming can be
displayed on the uconnect tunes or uconnect gps screen for front-seat
viewing (as permitted by state regulations). New for 2009 in the Chrysler
Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan are larger nine-inch rear-seat video
screens that swivel.
Availability: Chrysler 300, Aspen and Town & Country; Dodge Grand
Caravan, Charger, Durango, Journey and Ram 1500; Jeep Commander and Grand
Cherokee
uconnect web
What it does: The system will provide high-speed data transfer and
flexibility, combining WiFi and cellular connectivity for a new level of
wireless technology. The system transforms the vehicle into a "hot spot" to
deliver the Internet directly to the vehicle, for instant access to Web
sites, e-mail, personalized music, online gaming, photo albums, and more.
Availability: Chrysler plans to offer aftermarket in-vehicle "hot-spot"
wireless Internet capability through Mopar(R) for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep
vehicles.
See Also
