OnStar relaunching this summer with mystery technology partner

[Sal Collaziano]

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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[Molson02536]

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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This would be a great system if it was utilized to it's full potential. As we know On Star can shut down the engine when need during a recovery and unlock doors. It would be great if there was a App for a iphone as to location and to power down the engine management to as to when we lend our vehicle to our family member and friends. Example as to leaving are car off to be service and knowing that we have a ability to power down the engine's Hp and maximum top speed when we are not going to be driving it, as we all have kids and kids will be kids. (one of the reason i bought the kids a used Blazer for them to drive rather then mine that has been tuned to ludicrous speed and HP)

The only down fall to this system would be accidentally having the car's PCM system that runs the On Star to catch a virus like any laptop out there since it's receiving a active program for it's command. There is going to be many sleepless nights to make sure the Vehicle programed PCM/BCM is not compromised to endanger the public as to sudden lost of vehicle control at any time. But i am sure On Star can constantly scan the system every time we start or shut down the Vehicle to ensure are vehicle is at 100%

But wouldn't it be nice to know that i can trust my vehicle to make sure that my family member's are safe when driving in bad weather if there was also an App to reduce engine performance during night and bad weather like in rain or snowy conditions. We have rain sensors now that activate the whipper and headlight, it would not be that hard to also program the PCM to reduce the HP and turn up the Engine Torque Management up under certain conditions from sensors already installed in our vehicles.

If were lucky, may be GM can try a pilot program with this system in there SS vehicle.