General Motors Announces New Features For Google Android OnStar App And Chevrolet Volt EV

by Alex Luft
May 20th, 2010

It’s finally official – General Motors has just announced that the OnStar mobile app for the Chevy Volt will get two new features on the Google Android smartphone platform. The features were debuted and are being demo’ed at the Google I/O conference in San Francisco, CA this week.

First is a new “navigation” tab on the home screen of the existing Android Chevy Volt mobile app. By going to this tab, users will be able to see the current location of their Chevy Volt on Google Maps – as well as their location relative to the Volt. From there, users have the option for voice-guided directions to the Volt from their current location using Google Maps Navigation on the Android.

Second is the OnStar app’s ability to use Google voice search to vocally search for a destination with the Android handset. Users will be able to see where that destination is relative to the current location of the Volt and then send the destination from the Android phone to their Volt (also known as OnStar eNav Destinations). From there, OnStar Turn-By-Turn will be waiting for them when they start the vehicle, providing directions to their destination.

The new functionalities won’t be available on the Volt mobile app at the app’s launch. Instead, OnStar is planning to include them as part of version 2.0 of the smartphone app.

The features aren’t quite what we expected last week, when the rumormill did its thing in bringing us juicy rumors about a deep Google-GM-OnStar collaboration. Perhaps such a partnership is still in the cards, but – as we like to say – only time will tell. We have GM’s presser after the jump.

OnStar App New Features For Google Android Smartphone

OnStar Leverages Google technology to Connect Customers to the Chevrolet Volt
New features coming for Chevrolet Volt Mobile App
2010-05-18
Detroit – OnStar is leveraging the power of Google technology to develop a number of new mobile app features that strengthen Chevrolet’s commitment to providing Volt customers with the most connected vehicle experience possible.

The public will get a peek at what OnStar is working on at the Google I/O conference May 19-20 in San Francisco, CA, where OnStar will debut and demonstrate new functionalities they’re developing for the Chevrolet Volt mobile application leveraging the AndroidTM platform.

“While OnStar will never lose sight of our core focus on safety and security, this relationship is an example of how we’re evolving our leadership position in connected vehicle technology,” said Chris Preuss, OnStar president. “What we’re talking about today is only the beginning.”

A new “navigation” tab has been added to the home screen of the existing Chevrolet Volt mobile app on the Android smartphone. When a Volt owner presses this tab, they will be able to see the current location of their Volt pinpointed on Google MapsTM , as well as their location relative to it.

From this map screen, owners can use Google search by voice to vocally search for a destination with their Android handset, and see where that destination is related to the Volt’s current location. They can then elect to send the destination from their Android phone to their Volt and have OnStar Turn-By-Turn directions to their destination waiting for them when they start the vehicle. Additionally, the owner will also have the option to get voice-guided directions to their vehicle from their current location, using Google Maps Navigation.

The new functionalities won’t be available on the Volt mobile app at launch, but are planned for a 2.0 version.

The smartphone mobile application for the Chevrolet Volt made its debut at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show and is planned to launch in tandem with the Volt this fall. Launch features include:

Charge status display – plugged in or not and voltage (120V or 240V)
Flexibility to “Charge Now” or schedule charge timing
Display percentage of battery charge level, electric and total ranges
Ability to manually set grid-friendly charge mode for off-peak times when electricity rates are lowest
Send text or email notifications for charge reminders, interruptions and full charge
Display miles per gallon, electric only miles, and odometer readings
Shows miles per gallon, EV miles and miles driven for last trip and lifetime
Remotely start the vehicle to pre-condition the interior temperature

“These two new features add to the suite of mobile application features for Volt that given Volt owners a personal connection to their car,” said Tony DiSalle, Chevrolet Volt marketing director. “Connecting customers to their cars is one way we’re using technology to provide value and a real useful benefit to the Volt owner.”

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