Filed under: Gadgets, Tech, GM
OnStar reveals trio of new navigation features
We always wondered how a phone-based concierge service would fit into a world that's populated with DVD-based navigation systems that contain millions of points of interest. General Motors' OnStar service, however, has weathered the arrival of in-dash and third-party nav systems quite nicely, thank you very much. Today the service announced a trio of new features, including one called OnStar Destination Download that marries its main selling point (speaking with a human being) to the power of GM vehicles equipped with a screen-based nav system. Unlike with most vehicles that feature a built-in nav, OnStar subscribers using this new service don't have to stop their vehicles to input a destination. They can push the little blue OnStar button and give the destination verbally to an advisor who will then download it into the car's screen-based nav. All this happens on the go and is completely hands-free, except for pushing the OnStar button.
The second service is called OnStar eNav, which was first announced almost a year ago, that lets subscribers plan their trips on MapQuest (disclaimer: MapQuest is owned by AOL and so is Autoblog. Small world, huh?) and call them up later from within their vehicle. A user will again push the OnStar button and follow voice commands to retrieve their directions. This service, however, does not input the directions into your screen-based nav system, but instead uses OnStar's Turn-by-Turn voice navigation to guide you.
Finally, OnStar subscribers with screen-based nav systems will also benefit from the company signing up with the XM NavTraffic service. This service, which allows the nav system to reroute around poor traffic conditions, is already used on a small handful of GM vehicles, but will expand in 2009 to all 22 vehicles the automaker offers with screen-based nav systems.
[Source: GM]
PRESS RELEASE
GM And OnStar Lead The Way With New Navigation Services
GM's new navigation services include OnStar download to navigation system and MapQuest functionality
Dallas - OnStar today announced the introduction of two new navigational services to complement and enhance its existing Turn-by-Turn service, the most widely available navigation system on the market. These features solidify GM's leadership in navigation with more vehicles on the road with embedded navigation systems and more options than any other automaker.
The first new service is OnStar Destination Download, which enables OnStar subscribers with screen-based navigation systems to quickly input their destination while on the go via the simple press of a button. The second service, OnStar eNav, allows subscribers with a Turn-by-Turn Navigation-capable vehicle to find and save destinations on MapQuest.com and have those destinations sent to their vehicle's OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation system.
"Through OnStar and onboard navigation systems, GM is transforming the category with the broadest range of options to suit customer preferences," said OnStar President Chet Huber. "With 3.1 million model year 2008 vehicles equipped with some form of factory-installed navigation, GM is delivering on our commitment to redefine the availability and functionality of navigation systems in the United States and Canada."
To initiate OnStar Destination Download, users simply press the OnStar blue button to connect with an advisor. Once subscribers provide the advisor with their destination, the destination is downloaded to their navigation screen within seconds. Press the "Go" button on the navigation system to begin the route.
Typically to use a screen-based navigation system, drivers have to bring their vehicle to a stop and place it in park. With OnStar Destination Download, subscribers can have the address of their destination sent directly to their navigation system while still driving, providing a safe, easy and immediate solution.
In addition, OnStar brings more than 10 million point-of-interest records, refreshed every month, to the navigation system. This supplements and greatly enhances the point-of-interest data loaded on navigation DVDs.
OnStar Destination Download will be available on over 80 percent of GM's screen-based navigation vehicle volume or 325,000 Model Year 2009 vehicles. In total, 22 different GM vehicle models will offer this new service.
OnStar's second new service offering, OnStar eNav, allows subscribers to plan their travel destinations on the MapQuest site (www.mapquest.com) and then send those destinations to their OnStar system. When ready to retrieve those directions, subscribers simply press their vehicle's OnStar phone button to access voice-guided commands through which they can select their route. Turn-by-Turn navigation will then launch to guide them on their way.
"At MapQuest we strive to provide our users with easy-to-use features that will save them time and ensure that they find their destination," said Christian Dwyer, Senior Vice President and General Manager of MapQuest. "OnStar eNav is a great addition to our suite of 'Send To' capabilities offering users the convenience of researching and planning online and sending results to a user's preferred device or system."
OnStar eNav will be available retroactively on 2.7 million current Turn-by-Turn capable GM vehicles. Later this year eNav will also combine with OnStar Destination Download to download destinations directly to the vehicle's screen-based navigation system.
OnStar and MapQuest conducted a pilot of eNav beginning in June 2007 with approximately 3,000 customers. A survey of pilot participants showed that 95 percent of them would use eNav at least monthly and 93 percent of the participants agreed that eNav should be offered by OnStar.
"From the pilot we learned that many of our subscribers like to pre-plan their trips, especially when visiting new areas," said Huber. "They appreciated the simplicity of eNav and used it to plan thousands of routes."
Also available to subscribers with screen-based navigation systems is XM NavTraffic, XM's real-time traffic information service is now available in 80 major North American markets. This service feeds comprehensive road condition data such as accidents, traffic backups and road construction to the subscriber's navigation screen. The availability of XM NavTraffic will greatly expand in model year 2009 to the same 22 GM vehicles equipped with screen-based navigation that also feature OnStar Destination Download. XM NavTraffic made its GM debut on the 2005 Cadillac CTS.
Where available, XM NavTraffic subscribers can view a color-coded overlay on their navigation screen indicating the average speed of travel along their planned route.
"GM and OnStar are demonstrating their commitment to providing their drivers with the best in technology, with this impressive expansion of XM NavTraffic across 22 vehicles in the 2009 model year," said Steve Cook, executive vice president, automotive, XM Satellite Radio. "XM NavTraffic provides the most comprehensive information and coast-to-coast updates every minute, ensuring that GM drivers will always have the latest and most detailed information at his or her fingertips. "
"Our varied connected navigation options mean something for everyone whether you drive a Cadillac CTS or a Chevrolet Cobalt," Huber said. "As the leader in navigation our continual goal is to provide GM drivers with useful and convenient services that make the driving experience simpler, safer and more secure."
For more information on each of these navigational services, visit www.onstar.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SPG 11:07AM (4/02/2008)
I've always wanted a nav system, just not sure if it would get used enough to justify the costs and fees.
As far as OnStar, not sure if I like what I hear overall.
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John P. 11:11AM (4/02/2008)
I think that's a great idea if you are driving alone especially. The on-star is kinda like your copilot. Gadget geeks may not feel the need for a person to help out, but I would bet many people will enjoy this feature.
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Borders 11:19AM (4/02/2008)
This is lame. Somehow On-Star has hooked someone in GM and is talked them into this Pay-To-Play thing.
An in-dash nav system to way better.
I have passed on two new cars from GM because they don't offer an in-dash nav system. They did have the mirror Pay-To-Play.
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Disgruntled Goat 11:28AM (4/02/2008)
OnStar is awesome and this just makes it awesomer. So Autoblog is owned by AOL? For some reason I'm a little disappointed to learn that.
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Blake 11:35AM (4/02/2008)
Hurts the heart, just a bit. I still heart you though, Autoblog!
Matt 11:33AM (4/02/2008)
My phone does all this already, and for a heck of a lot less.
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Anti-believer 11:46AM (4/02/2008)
Damn that looks cheap.
Reminds me of those old AC-Delco radios from 80's and 90's.
Big square electronics
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AmericanTruckGuy 11:58AM (4/02/2008)
geez, you guys didn't know that AutoBlog was owned by America Off Line?
I wonder what would happen if you pushed that blue onstar button and asked the adviser to talk dirty to you?
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MichaelS 1:28PM (4/02/2008)
BMW had this for a while with their Convenience Plan - you called up BMW Assist, and they beamed the directions into your navigation system.
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mk 1:41PM (4/02/2008)
Thanks, but no thanks. Don't need someone else's fingers in my car like that.
If they can input a destination into your nav system, can they pull your location from it?
and all the software has to do, is NOT use the car's speakers, and you would have no idea what data the DeathStar, err... I mean OnStar is getting.
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MoonRover 2:04PM (4/02/2008)
OnStar is the best, those complaining have apparently never been stranded on a dark rainy highway at 2:00AM and your cell wouldn't reach diddly. OnStar is a life saver, the absolute best, I wouldn't trade it for all the Nav systems. If you have a wreck they send help automatically without your calling, they know where you are located within few feet, you cannot do that with a cellphone or any, "ANY", nav system other than OnStar..
I would not drive without it........ I buy 100 cell minutes for $14.95 and simply give the operator the number I want to call, the voice comes through the radio speakers as plain as the person is in my vehicle with me, it's the best......no other like it. What they have done here simply makes it better.
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Noah 2:19PM (4/02/2008)
I can see the pros and cons of this OnStar system. Sometimes its great to have a real person to help you with finding stuff or when you get in an accident or your car is stolen or keys locked in. But for basic navigation, a $350 TomTom or Garmin or whatev works just fine most of the time.
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Craig 2:36PM (4/02/2008)
I've had On-star with turn-by-turn navigation for over one year. I love the system, especially for occasional use. I know how to use many of the built-in and aftermarket guidance systems, I'll take On-star.
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Rich 2:59PM (4/02/2008)
I have to agree. I could never justify ponying up $2,000 or more for a nav system (that you often have to pay to get updated). For $10 a month ($28 a month including the required safe & sound package) it's inexpensive, reliable and easy to use. A quick story - driving across PA last month we ran into a blizzard at 2am. Onstar was able to find us a pet friendly hotel, connect us to them to make a reservation, then download the directions. Very cool.
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nick 3:25PM (4/02/2008)
dvd based? Um no... DVDs are out dated, it's hard drive and in a few years SSD...
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Rick 7:24PM (4/02/2008)
Before we got a car with NAV installed, we used to follow printed out MapQuest directions. AND withOUT failure, every to and from set of directions would get at least 1 step wrong! It would miss a turn, or take you 3 block too far and make you u-turn, or make you go down one block to turn left where there is no entrance, etc. MapQuest, in my experience, sucks.
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jamesFF 1:16AM (4/03/2008)
I wish I had OnStar, then I would have my Cadillac returned to me by now.
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Calguy 1:22AM (4/03/2008)
OnStar really does rock.. I use it all the time for directions and as a '411' service (saving me $1.50 a call on my cell phone). Their staff is swell.. generally a 10 outta 10. HOWEVER, I bet there's no way these new services will be compatible with Saab. OnStar gives Saab a short shrift with no vehicle diagnostics, no vehicle un-lock.. kinda lame considering a $15,000 pickup or Cobalt has better OnStar service than a swell Swede.
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Phydeaux 7:45PM (4/03/2008)
Take it from someone who has been rear ended and was knocked uncounscience... I insist Onstar is in my families vehicles!