Uconnect Streams and Simplifies for 2014

August 31, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -  Chrysler Group introduces factory-installed wireless smartphone charging for model-year 2014.

The feature will be available in the all-new 2014 Jeep® Cherokee mid-size SUV, along with Uconnect Access Via Mobile, which also launches with the new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, SRT Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs.

The charging pad in the 2014 Cherokee leverages Qi wireless technology, which does not require cases or replaceable battery covers to accommodate wireless charging. Place a Qi-enabled device on a Qi charging surface and it charges a device – simply, efficiently, elegantly.

“Our goal is to ensure that our customers who want to stay connected, can do so conveniently,” said Marios Zenios, Vice President — Uconnect Systems and Services. “Our wireless charging system does just that. But further, we want to encourage them to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. For this reason, we provide a docking station for secure storage.”

The docking station is located in the center console.

Qi wireless technology is emerging as a dominant force in this space. According to the Wireless Power Consortium, there are currently 38 different Qi-integrated or Qi-ready mobile devices available on the market today.

In addition to functioning conventionally hands-free phoning and Voice-Texting, customer smartphones can serve as rolling music libraries using Uconnect Via Mobile.

An extension of award-winning Uconnect Access, which leverages embedded cellular technology, Uconnect Via Mobile seamlessly brings four popular Internet radio apps into the vehicle. They are: Aha by Harman, iHeartRadio, Pandora and Slacker.

Customers use their own smartphone data plans to stream content, avoiding additional charges.
 
Content personalization is easy. With Pandora, for instance, drivers can register their preferences by hitting the app’s familiar buttons – “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” – which are displayed on the available 8.4-inch touchscreen.

Similarly, with Slacker Radio, favorites can be identified using the “Heart” button. And tunes that try a customer’s patience can be blocked using the “Ban” button.

iHeartRadio users can personalize their listening experience by saving their favorites in “My Stations” and using iHeartRadio's exclusive Discovery Tuner to control variety.

And because the vehicle is connected, Uconnect can deliver new applications to owners, as they become available. This can be done over the air.