[b5]

At the end of July 2007, GM announced their Personal Audio Link adapter (Excerpt Below....). They promised availability by end-of-year.

I picked up my 2007 Saturn Outlook in August of this year and my dealership parts department is COMPLETELY unaware of any such device or any plans to deliver it in the near future. Does anyone have additional information on when the PAL adapter will be available for the Outlook? Perhaps a part number which could be referenced by my dealership?

I tried an after market device (coastaltech.com), but was unsatisfied with the interface. Any additional info would be appreciated.

Link to GM Press Release: http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewpressreldetail.do?domain=53&docid=38060


*********************************************************************
Here is an excerpt from their press announcement:

The Personal Audio Link iPod adapter, not visible to the customer once installed, uses software, and is integrated through the radio’s digital XM Satellite Radio band. This provides improved sound over FM modulated systems, and better control and display over FM modulated and CD changer interface units.

The system displays song title, artist, time and track position on the radio display, and allows song selection by genre, play list, artist and album. A unique feature of the system also allows users to easily search alphabetically through artist, album, genre, play list, podcast or audio book. And, shuffling music is a snap with Personal Audio Link.

Podcasts and audio books are no problem. Personal Audio Link enables the user to store, sort and select their favorite Podcast or audio book by title. In vehicles equipped with steering wheel audio controls, those controls will also control volume.

Once the device is installed, the customer plugs the iPod into an interface cable in the glove box, where the player can be safely secured and stowed. The device also charges the iPod while the vehicle is operating.

GM expects to make the device available on many of its models by the end of 2007 – meaning GM will offer one of the widest ranges of vehicle applications for iPod integration in the industry.

 

[tk421]

The PAL has been discussed on here previously and as far as I know it the Acadia and Enclave will get it but the Outlook will not. Which doesn't make a lick of sense to me...

 

[tk421]

I tried an after market device (coastaltech.com), but was unsatisfied with the interface.

While you wait for GM to release the PAL, you might consider this third party product

http://www.coastaletech.com/GM_IPOD_LOCKPICK.htm

LOL

 

[patricktheelder]

I know that the majority of folks on this board are all about factory, factory, factory....

But do yourself a favor and rid your car of GMC Audio.

I've had nothing but GMC's since I was 16 (that amounts to 6 vehicals)

So I am a huge fan, but when it comes to Audio, (and keeping up with the times)
GMC does not fair well.

I have an Pioneer Avic D3 in my Outlook. The Ipod interface is amazing, I can even watch the videos that are on my IPOD. Heck even my Iphone works with it (audio only no video though)
And If you step up to the Avic z2, you even get Album cover art displayed on the screen.

GMC is a long way off from getting any of that to happen

 

[gbshuler]

Just curious. What was wrong with the iPod Lockpick? It looked pretty cool on the demo video. I did note that there did not seem to be support for Podcasts.

 

[b5]

Just curious. What was wrong with the iPod Lockpick? It looked pretty cool on the demo video. I did note that there did not seem to be support for Podcasts.

First of all the lockpick worked as advertised and installed fairly easily (once I found out that the needed wires were NOT behind the glove box). I returned the unit because I did not like how it 'took over' my radio. If I turned off the radio in XM mode...when I turned the radio back on it would be in iPod interface mode (several keystrokes to return it to the XM mode). When entering iPod mode it would immediately start playing the first alphabetical song in my music folder....got tired of hearing Elvis. Navigation thru album list was slow. Podcasts will play, but if you had more than one podcast from the same source (ie diff dates), there was no way to navigate to or play the second podcast.

Hope that helps

 

[gbshuler]

First of all the lockpick worked as advertised and installed fairly easily (once I found out that the needed wires were NOT behind the glove box). I returned the unit because I did not like how it 'took over' my radio. If I turned off the radio in XM mode...when I turned the radio back on it would be in iPod interface mode (several keystrokes to return it to the XM mode). When entering iPod mode it would immediately start playing the first alphabetical song in my music folder....got tired of hearing Elvis. Navigation thru album list was slow. Podcasts will play, but if you had more than one podcast from the same source (ie diff dates), there was no way to navigate to or play the second podcast.

Hope that helps

Thanks. I had a concern over the Podcasts. The Aux In sounds like the way to go

 

[GregPapendick]

I have been asked to answer a few questions on various web sites but won't be able to check back very often.

GM has every intention of supporting the Outlook at the same time as the Acadia and Enclave. We have the PAL available for the HHR, Cobalt, Soltice, Sky, and G5 today and others are on the way. The first group of vehicles all use the same communications protocol and it made sense to roll out the product by protocol to leverage the knowledge gained on the first program.

Getting this product developed has been a real challenge to our team. Believe me, you can not be more disappointed in the delay for having the PAL available than we are. We have several Engineers working on the software, electronics, wiring, and installation to insure that when it does become available you will be getting your moneys worth in quality and performance.

The Outlook, Acadia and Enclave are in the next batch of vehicles that will become available. I can not say when they will be ready as we are still working on fixing the last few known software glitches and are testing to make sure that if any get through it isn't due to a lack of effort. We will not knowingly sell something that we are not convinced will meet the needs of our customers.

I will try to have someone post the part number for the Outlook when it becomes available.

One word of caution. Be sure that if you decide to replace the radio you have someone knowledgeable in electronics help you pick the parts to do the job right. The chime function necessary to meet Federal Motor Safety Standards is incorporated into our radios and if you don't add additional hardware to the vehicle you will lose this function. It is illegal to knowingly disable a FMVSS feature.


Greg Papendick
GM Global Portfolio Planner
Electronics & Infotainment

 

[tk421]

I have been asked to answer a few questions on various web sites but won't be able to check back very often.

GM has every intention of supporting the Outlook at the same time as the Acadia and Enclave.

:cheers:

 

[headcase]

I have been asked to answer a few questions on various web sites but won't be able to check back very often.

GM has every intention of supporting the Outlook at the same time as the Acadia and Enclave. We have the PAL available for the HHR, Cobalt, Soltice, Sky, and G5 today and others are on the way. The first group of vehicles all use the same communications protocol and it made sense to roll out the product by protocol to leverage the knowledge gained on the first program.

Getting this product developed has been a real challenge to our team. Believe me, you can not be more disappointed in the delay for having the PAL available than we are. We have several Engineers working on the software, electronics, wiring, and installation to insure that when it does become available you will be getting your moneys worth in quality and performance.

The Outlook, Acadia and Enclave are in the next batch of vehicles that will become available. I can not say when they will be ready as we are still working on fixing the last few known software glitches and are testing to make sure that if any get through it isn't due to a lack of effort. We will not knowingly sell something that we are not convinced will meet the needs of our customers.

I will try to have someone post the part number for the Outlook when it becomes available.

One word of caution. Be sure that if you decide to replace the radio you have someone knowledgeable in electronics help you pick the parts to do the job right. The chime function necessary to meet Federal Motor Safety Standards is incorporated into our radios and if you don't add additional hardware to the vehicle you will lose this function. It is illegal to knowingly disable a FMVSS feature.


Greg Papendick
GM Global Portfolio Planner
Electronics & Infotainment

And here we are, in the second half of 2008 with still no announcement on PAL for the Lambda vehicles. Any update, Greg?

 

[trev0006]

Thanks for posting this.

At the end of July 2007, GM announced their Personal Audio Link adapter (Excerpt Below....). They promised availability by end-of-year.

I picked up my 2007 Saturn Outlook in August of this year and my dealership parts department is COMPLETELY unaware of any such device or any plans to deliver it in the near future. Does anyone have additional information on when the PAL adapter will be available for the Outlook? Perhaps a part number which could be referenced by my dealership?

I tried an after market device (coastaltech.com), but was unsatisfied with the interface. Any additional info would be appreciated.

Link to GM Press Release: http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewpressreldetail.do?domain=53&docid=38060suspensionbrakesbmwwheels


*********************************************************************
Here is an excerpt from their press announcement:

The Personal Audio Link iPod adapter, not visible to the customer once installed, uses software, and is integrated through the radio’s digital XM Satellite Radio band. This provides improved sound over FM modulated systems, and better control and display over FM modulated and CD changer interface units.

The system displays song title, artist, time and track position on the radio display, and allows song selection by genre, play list, artist and album. A unique feature of the system also allows users to easily search alphabetically through artist, album, genre, play list, podcast or audio book. And, shuffling music is a snap with Personal Audio Link.

Podcasts and audio books are no problem. Personal Audio Link enables the user to store, sort and select their favorite Podcast or audio book by title. In vehicles equipped with steering wheel audio controls, those controls will also control volume.

Once the device is installed, the customer plugs the iPod into an interface cable in the glove box, where the player can be safely secured and stowed. The device also charges the iPod while the vehicle is operating.

GM expects to make the device available on many of its models by the end of 2007 – meaning GM will offer one of the widest ranges of vehicle applications for iPod integration in the industry.
http://www.discountpartcenter.com/

http://www.dpccars.com/

 

[BigTallV]

PAL is an accessory that can be ordered through parts and installed into your Outlook by the service dept. From what I understand it works with many types of iPods but doesn't charge/maintain the power on the newer generations.

 

[mrFamous]

Ok this is gonna sound stupid but is this PAL thing basically the touch screen system minus the navigation? If so can this be ordered thru the Saturn Parts dept? Cause I really want to upgrade this audio system I got.

 

[BigTallV]

It's an interface between your iPod and your in-dash audio system. The only visible component is a cable that pokes through into your storage compartment that's in the middle of the dashboard (in front of your center channel speaker). The remainder of the PAL sits in/under your dash. The PAL does not have a touch screen and has nothing to do with navigation. The only interface controls that are used are your redundant steering wheel audio controls or that on your audio system itself, the songs/tracks display on your radio.

PAL can be ordered through a Saturn dealer parts department or any GM parts dept for that matter and can be ordered online as well.

 

[mrFamous]

Oh ok. Doesn't sound all big time like Ford's Sync.... :-[