CES 2011: OnStar Will Begin Offering Hands-Free Texting, Facebook With Voice Communication App
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Somewhere, Ray LaHood (America’s Secretary of Transportation) is cringing. Yes, OnStar has officially launched a public test pilot application that will allow Android mobile phones to send text messages and mingle with Facebook via Bluetooth to their hearts content — all while keeping both hands on the wheel.
Some key features in the Voice Communication App include three different operating modes (Beginner, Intermediate and Expert) that provides little, to moderate, to no voice prompts while using the App. Drivers can also set automatic replies to all incoming messages such as: “I’m driving at the moment, don’t bother me” or something even less polite if they desire. Expect the full launch to happen the second half of this year, though everyone is still hush-hush on the price.
Don’t you “like” that?
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Well thats good to know that GM is keeping onstar competitive.
I found onstar somewhat helpful with my CTS but in the corvette? I found it impossible to use. The vettes too loud a sports car for voice recognition..
From autoweek: and its kind of cool to have a camera to view whats going on around the car while your away from it..This way we can see the masked men as they steal the car! LOL
OnStar and Verizon reveal camera-laden Buick
By GREG MIGLIORE on 1/05/2011
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Buick
OnStar is to reveal a prototype Buick LaCrosse filled with video and Internet features at the Consumer Electronics Show. The 2011 model is shown.
OnStar and Verizon are debuting a prototype Buick LaCrosse at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that offers a range of futuristic technologies.
The spy-tech features include cameras that monitor activity around the car which can be viewed from a smartphone and a computer, and an impact-detection system that can replay a video clip of fender-benders.
There also are enhanced voice commands to access Web sites, including YouTube, Twitter and Wikipedia, and an electronic owner’s manual for the car that’s streamed onto the dashboard. There’s also a way to make a video call with Skype and a navigation system with images of live traffic.
And the new technologies aren’t limited to being within the Buick prototype. Another feature allows OnStar to connect to home-security systems to control the thermostats and lights from the car.
Most of the elements only work with the car in park. OnStar and Verizon teamed up on the Buick, which will be shown at both companies’ displays at CES.
Meanwhile, in other OnStar news, the company is amid a period of growth and is looking to craft its own identity within parent General Motors. OnStar says it gets 3 million button pushes a month and has 6 million subscribers around the world.
“It’s become a major profit center for GM, and one we need to keep building on,” OnStar president Chris Preuss said.
Look for connectivity features in the highly touted Chevrolet Volt to expand to help owners’ awareness of the technology and capability of their cars.
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110105/CARNEWS/301059998#ixzz1ABM92V3p
Of course it could hurt corvette sales as your spouse can watch on the computer or smart phone as all the pretty young girls smile and comment as your getting in and out of the car! (kidding of course!)