The last time we had a close look at Holden's MyLink infotainment system was back in May 2013, when the latest version was launched in Australia's last big homegrown Holden, the VF Commodore.
One thing we noted back then was how keen Holden, in hiring a flock of software developers for MyLink, was on creating a multi-media framework that could be easily enriched as time went on.
In the relatively slow-moving world of the automotive industry, in which it takes years to develop a new vehicle, upgradability is a real challenge for car manufacturers in the age of smartphones and tablets.
So we thought it was time to check how things may have changed in the two years that have passed and, to that end, borrowed a top-of-the-line SS-V Redline Ute.
Well, the news is that not a great deal has changed. On the surface this seems bad, but the reality is that there was not a great deal lacking with this iteration of MyLink at the VF’s launch.
The interface is still one of the simplest and most effective on the market, with a high level of practicality married to a frequent-use feature set without the expense of options rarely used.
MyLink's voice-recognition functionality remains as responsive and forgiving as any other on the market. Once, I did ring Amy instead of Kimmy when making a hands free call, but I put that down to my country drawl. It had been a while since I'd spoken to Amy, so that was an unintended bonus.
Pandora internet radio and Stitcher for streaming podcasts remain as the main App integration with your smartphone, remembering that the data is streamed through said phone using the 3G/4G allowance of your mobile phone contract.
The Redline was not one of the models sporting Tune-in Radio, but this seems to be an oversight that should be easily fixed.
On the plus side, however, the BringGo Navigation App is not required in the Commodore because it has its own sat-nav system.
The sat-nav also uses the excellent voice recognition to its advantage and now sports SUNA real-time traffic congestion alerting. For our tastes, however, the presentation of the sat-nav veers away from the general concept of keeping things relatively simple, with the default display being very cluttered and garish. New owners are advised to spend some time customising the on-screen iconography.
The MyLink feature of having SMS text messages read out loud to the driver, with the option of a number of pre-set replies available at the flick of a button on the steering wheel, is welcome indeed.
The Gracenote database is now integrated into the audio system so that appropriate album or genre graphics appear on-screen as tracks are played.
The top-spec Ute’s head-up display (HUD) is one of the better ones we've encountered on the market, and includes the ability to adjust the angle of display on the windscreen — a feature missing in some more expensive vehicles.
Furthermore, the HUD offers a number of information options for the driver, from vehicle speed, current speed limit and outside temperature, to the stereotypical sports car owner's favourite: the g-force meter.
While there have not been sweeping changes to Holden's infotainment technology since the VF launch two years ago, the MyLink system remains solid in terms of function, options, performance and value.