The 2012 Kia line up is offering a new UVO2 system. Last year’s Kia UVO system had some great features. Highlighted were the reverse camera, hands-free command center and a touch-screen. The 2012 Kia UVO 2, however, blows it out of the water. UVO (which stands for “your voice”) was demonstrated with its latest improvements at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show.
Keeping up with the former Kia UVO system, the Kia UVO2 offers the basics; hands-free calls, streamed music and back-up camera. Unlike the Kia UVO, however, the UVO2 offers distinct new technologies and multimedia systems.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the new features to look out for:
eService
eService is a built-in app which contains 14 amazing services you may need while on the road such as Crash Notification Assist, Roadside Assist, Automatic Diagnostics, Maintenance, Owner’s Guide, Driving Info, Curfew Limit, and Park Assist. Not to be used only for technical info and maintenance, eService also offers a free app download for your phone. This connects the driver directly to the vehicle through the use of a smartphone. For those times you can’t answer a text message, Kia eService will actually read the message and respond to it without you having to touch your phone.
Digital Jukebox
Like the original Kia UVO this system offers Sirius options and USB ports. The major upgrade with the new Kia UVO2 is it offers 2x USB ports to plug in more than one device, which you can name so your system recognizes them. Did I mention there is a 1-gig hard drive built in? This would be the Digital Jukebox, designed to interface with the 5-disc changer. Also connected with the convenient eService, hands-free select what you would like to listen to and the Kia UVO2 will have it loaded in no time. Say “Play Howlin’ For You by The Black Keys” …and you’re on your way!
Send2Car
Send2Car is an eService option, which allows you to send point of interest information from your Kia via Google Maps to your Smartphone and vise-versa. It also gives you the option to save the information in the Kia UVO2 system for future reference.
Parking Assist
Parking Assist is another smart feature linked to your phone. This feature is set up through the eService app easily downloadable to your phone. This connects your Kia UVO2 to the app and will guide the driver back to their vehicle by showing them & the vehicle pinpointed on a map. There are also options to take pictures of your surroundings of your kia, make notes or set alarms to remind them of the ticking meter – very useful stuff!
“Free smartphone app will provide new levels of connected car experiences, including telematics, parked vehicle locator and advanced vehicle relationship management.” - kiamedia.com
