When OnStar first launched its RemoteLink app for Apple iOS and Google Android devices, BlackBerry and Windows Phone users started clamoring for a version of the app for their favorite smartphones. OnStar remained tight-lipped about bringing the very useful app to other platforms until earlier this week, when the telematics company officially announced a version of RemoteLink for certain Blackberry devices, leaving the Windows Phone platform as the only major smartphone architecture without access to RemoteLink. But that may soon change, as well.
In its official announcement for the BlackBerry app, OnStar wrote:
“Writing the app using HTML 5 gave us insight into the readiness of the technology and positioned us to be more flexible supporting new phone operating systems,” said Steve Schwinke, Director of Development at OnStar. “Delivering it on the Blackberry platform is just the start of this journey.
In particular, divert your attention to the “to be more flexible supporting new phone operating systems” and “the BlackBerry platform is just the start of this journey” parts of the presser. Both seem to be surefire signs of things to come, especially given the fact that the app’s HTML5 underpinnings can be easily incorporated into any connected device, mobile, desktop, tablet, or otherwise.
So even though OnStar didn’t provide any kind of official confirmation on the matter, this seems like a slight tip of the hand to us… or are we off our rockers?
Comments
To me, this app is a game-changer and reeeeeally undervalued and underappreciated. I live in an apartment complex and only have one garage spot, so my second car is sometimes far enough away where I can’t utilize remote start. This completely solves that problem! And what about if you’re at work in a meeting, but it’s 105 degrees outside… get the A/C on and get that puppy cooled off!!
From a business standpoint, I don’t understand why GM doesn’t license this out to all manufacturers. They’re sitting on a gold mine. I think they could make a pretty penny from this and it could essentially become standard equipment. They should capitalize while they can, as I’m sure cell phones themselves will eventually become the actual key! (RFID, next-gen Bluetooth, etc)
Completely agree. This is not only very convenient, but also can help prevent inefficiencies such as running the AC/heat in the car full blast while driving. No one even come close to the connection OnStar has with the vehicle.
Also, OnStar did license its network, data centers, and overall technology/solution. Toyota’s Lexus used it in the early 2000s. But I think they built their own, as did Hyundai.
Finally. What they’re realizing is that it’s quicker to develop a cross-platform application with HTML 5, vs creating/maintaining a version of the app for each device. I received my Volt a week ago, and look forward to accessing the RemoteLink capabilities through my phone directly…versus logging into the MyVolt website and accessing the remote commands/statistics through my phone’s browser.
Congrats on the Volt, Dan!
Thanks…so far I am impressed!
Onstar remote app would be great boast for the windows phone collection. If you every use a windows phone its hard to go back to any other phone
I received an email response that Onstar has Windows Phone on their ‘roadmap’…hinting at a possible HTML 5 implementation of Remote Link, which would allow them to support all platforms with minimal effort. However, they said they did not have a release date in mind.
I am the CTE for our chevrolet dealership. A cross mobile platform is in the works. Other than that WE have been told very little. One thing I can comment on is that Microsoft provides the software for the Ford Sync. This may cause a delay due to contracts , licences ETC.
The Onstar remotelink application crashes at signon on my i{hone4. When I loooked it up in setting it was listed as a “build version”. Do I have the wrong version? I downloaded from the Aple App Store.