Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM’s infotainment system called UConnect is no stranger to winning awards such as ‘Infotainment of the Year’ from Digital Trends. Factors that make UConnect a great system is its user-friendliness for all abilities to use regardless of age or tech-savviness. How can the future be improved for a great system? What’s coming for the next UConnect Update and will it hold up to its reputation?
Next UConnect Update is not just a software update
Not just a software update, but the all-new UConnect 5 will have all new hardware with more processing power. More processing power means more features and faster processing times (up to 5 times faster). For those wondering if it’ll be possible to upgrade their existing UConnect, the answer is no. Not without some hardware upgrades at the least. The operating system is Android-based, and 3 X today’s resolution.
When will the next UConnect update be?
The new system will most likely premiere in the new redesign of the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica which is expected around the fourth quarter of this year.
UConnect 5 features
Wireless
Wireless connection to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available for two Bluetooth smartphones simultaneously. Why two phones? Now you can have your personal phone and your work phone connected, maybe two travelers or husband and wife.
Natural language voice recognition
Better Voice recognition allows users to have better hands-free controls over features. A new voice recognition system with natural language capability allows commands to be understood easier, in a more conversational way. “Hey Chrysler, change the temperature to 70 degrees.”
Full Amazon Alexa integration
Amazon Alexa integration allows drivers with an Alex-enabled home device to ask commands such as; “Alexa, unlock the doors” or ” Alexa, start the car”. Other commands include asking the weather, check news, traffic, sports, open the garage door, or even just play a fun song.
Driver profiles
6 driver profiles that are customizable. Switching drivers often? Save a host of driving preferences in a driver profile. With the touch of one button, all these custom settings come back. Savable setting examples are; memory seat positions, navigation, and radio settings. Within the favorites bar, AM, FM, and XM stations can be saved in the same bar.
Real time traffic
Real time traffic updates available through a new navigation system by TomTom. Navigation is enhanced with interactive maps, search and text prediction, faster destination searching, speed camera alerts and weather updates.
Layers within the screen allows multi-tasking without having to switch back and forth between screens. For example changing the temperature can appear as a ‘pop-up’ over navigation.
Custom pages
Create up to five custom pages, by adding widgets. Make a favorites page with and access all your most commonly used apps with one touch. Mix, match and rearrange apps as you like.
Aside from all the new features, and the Android system now being much faster, a lot of work goes into making sure the system is still user friendly. Color schemes, fonts and even font spacing is all taken into consideration.
What do you think of the next UConnect update?
Do you currently have a Chrysler Dodge Jeep or RAM Truck with UConnect? What do you love or hate about it?
Are there any other features you’d like see in the UConnect 5 infotainment system for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM Trucks?
Let us know by commenting below or send us an email.
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I did have UConnect in my 2016 Dodge Ram. Service was totally unreliable. Send and Go had to be sent several times and was very slow to post. Locking doors remotely was a long hit and miss. Took forever to connect. By the time it connects ( if it connects), I could have simply grabbed my keys and walked out towards my vehicle if I was nearby. That was the feature I was most interested in. I never knew a way to find out if the doors was actually locked or not until several minutes later. I do mean several Terrible app.. If there has been improvements in the areas mentioned, I would be interested. I like the concept of the app, if it did what it said it would do in a timely and consistent manner. I would pay more for the service if it worked as stated. If it has not improved since the last time I used it about a year or so ago, you couldn’t give it to me for free.
Not sure how or why Dodge Ram Chrysler touts an award winning truck of the year etc (with Uconnect) when ANDROID AUTO (a premier feature) is now,– was then– and will likely— forever shall be— a complete and utter TRAIN WRECK.
They blame Google,… Google blames them— bottom line, answers to everything, solutions to nothing. To this day, still floundering and unstable and beyond annoying.
I have a 2021 Jeep Cherokee with the Uconnect 8.4 app. As for the vehicle condition monitoring tab, it is quite good and functional, unfortunately the same cannot be said for the vehicle lock and remote start tab, it is too slow, sometimes it takes up to 2 minutes to receive the command and complete it. I prefer to take my keys and approach the vehicle to do it with my remote starter and make sure the doors are really locked