Autoblog

Latest OnStar focuses on infotainment, adds audio Facebook integration, voice texting

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EST

After 15 years of offering comprehensive safety coverage to General Motors vehicle owners, OnStar will be getting a well-deserved boost in functionality to better take on Ford's Sync and other upstart systems.

New infotainment systems are one of the hottest trends in the automotive marketplace, and GM certainly can't afford to be behind the curve. Because of this, OnStar will be relaunching its brand image, citing the phrase "responsible connectivity" as the motto for everything moving forward. This means that OnStar won't just be about safety anymore, though its core values will continue to be improved.

Two of the main infotainment technologies being tested right now are audio Facebook integration and voice text messaging. OnStar recently released a brief bit of information about these two functions, but we were able to attend a presentation to see these new social functions firsthand.

OnStar's Facebook integration will allow subscribers to post audio status updates directly from the car. These messages will appear as audio updates on the Facebook news feed, and drivers will also have the ability to have their personal news feed read back to them. Even though this technology is still undergoing beta testing, the whole process works relatively seamlessly, though the read-back audio could still benefit from some smoothing-out.

Voice text messaging piggybacks on this same audio technology. Using a Bluetooth-paired phone, drivers can have text messages read to them via the car's audio system. From there, the driver can press a button on the steering wheel to verbally select one of OnStar's four pre-set replies - things like, "I received your text message, but am currently driving," or, "Please call me."

All of this being tested in correlation with OnStar's ninth-generation hardware, which improves voice recognition, adds a Bluetooth phonebook, help 'wizard,' improved navigation and uses advanced notification services for traffic and weather alerts. This is just the start to what OnStar is working on, though. Stay tuned for a deeper dive into the future technologies OnStar is working to bring to GM vehicles. In the meantime, hit the jump for the official press release.

[Source: OnStar]

Continue reading Latest OnStar focuses on infotainment, adds audio Facebook integration, voice texting

Latest OnStar focuses on infotainment, adds audio Facebook integration, voice texting originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OnStar turns 15, has unlocked 4.7 million doors

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, GM

Founded in 1995 and officially launched at that year's Chicago Auto Show, OnStar has just hit its 15th birthday. After unlocking 4.7 million doors and providing over 59 million turn-by-turn routes, the tech centerpiece found in General Motors' vehicles is not ready to sit back and revel in the past. Ford is constantly improving its Sync system and The General is looking to move OnStar into the same league. The major details of it plans are not yet available but we recently learned that OnStar is testing two interesting new features; voice texting and the ability to update your Facebook status simply by speaking.

As OnStar moves into the future, let's take a look at what it has accomplished over the last 15 years.

More than one million responses to Emergency Service alerts, assisting drivers, first responders and local police departments in many life-threatening situations.
More than 146,000 responses to Automatic Crash Notifications where OnStar sent emergency personnel to a vehicle whose driver was unresponsive after an airbag deployment.
198 different coastal communities helped with hurricane preparedness through OnStar's Crisis Assist.
More than 59 million Turn-by-Turn routes delivered. What was seen as a preliminary step against distracted driving, Turn-by-Turn Navigation allows an advisor to send directions directly to a subscriber's Driver Information Center or radio.
More than 4.7 million doors have been unlocked by OnStar's Remote Door Unlock service. OnStar unlocks 1,833 doors every day, a huge convenience for people who accidently lock their keys in the car. (It happens.)
More than 147 million monthly e-mails have been sent to subscribers since launch, giving them real-time diagnostic reports of their vehicles.

Besides just helping those in need, OnStar can also "help" those with greed - the type of greed that would lead them to steal a car. If a thief manages to swipe a vehicle equipped with GM's big blue button, it can be slowed down remotely or, in other cases, OnStar can remotely block the ignition.

OnStar is a service that makes the lives of millions of customers a little easier, and we at Autoblog would like to wish it a happy birthday... as long as GM promises not to throw it a MTV-style Sweet Sixteen next year. Follow the jump to read more about OnStar in its official birthday press release.

[Source: OnStar]

Continue reading OnStar turns 15, has unlocked 4.7 million doors

OnStar turns 15, has unlocked 4.7 million doors originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google plays the field, adds Maps to OnStar

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

Google, a company so large that it's become both a noun and a verb, is spreading the goodness of its Google Maps programming even further into the automotive realm with the announcement that it's now being incorporated into General Motors' OnStar eNav technology.

Perhaps you'll recall that Ford made a remarkably similar move this morning, adding the ability to sync Google Maps to its well regarded Sync system. The major difference between Ford's Sync and GM's OnStar integration of Google Maps is that the Blue Oval's implementation relies on the connectivity of your cellular phone while The General's technology includes its own communications equipment.

Both Ford's and GM's Google Maps integration will go into full effect later this month. All GM vehicles from the 2006 model year forward that are equipped with Turn-by-Turn Navigation capability will gain the newfound capabilities. Get all the details in the press release after the break.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Google plays the field, adds Maps to OnStar

Google plays the field, adds Maps to OnStar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Next Big Debate: Hardware or software?

Dan Roth — Fri, 21 May 2010 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Audi, BMW, Ford, GM, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz

More tech in your car? Oh, that's inevitable. But automakers are trying to figure out the best way to implement it. There are two main architectures currently; tethered and embedded. Ford's SYNC is an example of a tethered tech-integration system that uses Bluetooth to connect to mobile devices consumers already own and carry with them. General Motors' OnStar system is an embedded setup that builds the technology into the car. Going forward, the consensus seems to be that we're going to see systems that combine elements of both.

A tethered system is typically less costly than an embedded alternative, and it works with equipment you already own and know how to use. Systems like Sync can extend the functionality of your gear and is an attractive option to tech-savvy consumers. The lower cost makes it possible to proliferate these kind of features into more models, instead of just being a high-end feature. However, embedded systems offer advantages of their own. With communications hardware built in to the vehicle, performance is more reliable, and safety can be enhanced by tying in to the vehicle's crash sensors and stability control to automatically call for help if it detects a severe accident.

True to the cliche, it seems that the young'ins are more comfortable with tethered systems, while older generations prefer embedded systems. OnStar is already starting to do this, opening up the system in Chevrolet Volt applications with a mobile app that lets drivers connect to their car even when they're away from it. The future likely holds a system that combines aspects of both, enhancing safety, beating back obsolescence and drawing on the strength of each technology to deliver the best experience as cars continue to become more sophisticated.

[Source: AutoObserver.com]

The Next Big Debate: Hardware or software? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 May 2010 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OnStar relaunching this summer with mystery technology partner

Zach Bowman — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

It sounds like General Motors has big plans for OnStar. While speaking with CNN Money, Chris Preuss, head of the telematics service, said that the company is looking to add a number of functions to make the service more usable by customers. That could include tricks like app integration that would allow owners to check on their vehicle from afar and perform tasks like locking or unlocking the doors and starting the engine, all from their smart phone. GM already has plans for a similar service to be available to Chevrolet Volt owners, and it would appear that it's only a matter of time before the tech makes the jump to the rest of the automaker's products.

Preuss also made mention of the fact that GM has partnered up with a major technology company to help make the services a reality, but wouldn't spill the goods on who exactly who that partner is. With Ford and Microsoft tied to each other by SYNC, we don't exactly see Bill Gates joining up with The General any time soon, and it doesn't quite seem like Apple would be willing to hop into bed with the automaker either. Of course, there are plenty of other high-profile tech companies out there that wouldn't shy away from a healthy automotive contract.

GM also made it clear that it wants to be able to push OnStar past being anchored just to its parent company. Eventually, we may see OnStar featured in other brands or bleed into other customer service outlets.

[Source: CNN Money]

OnStar relaunching this summer with mystery technology partner originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 May 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Despite split from GM, Saab to continue with OnStar?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, GM, Saab, Spyker, Luxury

It was never in question that Spyker and General Motors were going to remain BFFs after the Saab sale. Yet one of the things they will continue to share is a little surprising to us: OnStar. Spyker will continue to install Onstar in U.S.-market Saabs for an undisclosed amount of time.

Nothing will change from the way the assistance system is currently sold, with the first year free followed by the opportunity to sign up. Not that OnStar doesn't have its uses, but as long as Saabs hold onto that little nav screen as well, we're all for it.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Despite split from GM, Saab to continue with OnStar? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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