OnStar reveals mystery partner: Google
By Thomas Ricker 
posted May 18th 2010 2:16AM
posted May 18th 2010 2:16AM
OnStar Leverages Google Technology to Connect Customers to the Chevrolet Volt
New features coming for Chevrolet Volt Mobile App
DETROIT, May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 Android™ 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 Maps™ , 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 give 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."
Skynet is almost complete.
@furquanatique Hahaha, Skynet FTW!
@furquanatique
NEW ERA IS COMING
@furquanatique
I can't wait!
@JCreazy
That phone looks very sexy :)
Too bad its running android though, I dont like how that os is laggy..
Hopefulyl FROYO can solve that problem!!
HTC EVO 4G HERE I FRIKKINN COME!
@furquanatique The Great Car wars will soon begin!! Microsoft/Ford vs Google/GM vs RIM/Audi... RIM has he coolness advantage right now
Who will Apple and HPalm side with i wonder
@furquanatique
And they said we didn't warn them...
@SteveyAyo
All the while, Apple will come out with their own iCar and pompously declare that all other cars "blew it".
@horchata despite having any form of control over the car... it will be programmed to only drive to and from Apple stores and play apple commercials on the way... Magical
@horchata Said car will of course prevent you from driving to unapproved destinations, and shut off the engine near red light districts.
@SteveyAyo
Too bad this probably means that Audi won't do jackshit to improve their stereo/iPod/MP3 interface implementation. It's one of the clunkiest things I have ever used.
@Sunweb yeah i think they threw that out the window for Blackberry... im alright with that
@SteveyAyo
If they get a good interface and a USB port instead of the iPod dock out of this, I'm all for it.
@horchata HAHAH yup.
http://www.startuptrekking.com/2010/05/steve-jobs-circa-2020-thoughts-on.html
@SteveyAyo
Dude. don't try be be funny online when you obviously have no personality.
You're obviously 13 years old, and just repeating the same old comment we've all been reading for months.
@suicidebob actually i turn 22 on may 29th, sorry that its so easy to offend fanboys as yourself... maybe take a step back and realize just how lackluster Apples offerings have been since 2007 and youll loosen up... thanks guy
@suicidebob also it seems strangely iRonic that someone with the name suicidebob would comment on someones personality. its pretty clear that only a 15 year old introverted emo kid with hearts carved into his wrists after yet another poetry session about his long lost love would find that name even remotely appealing or clever... but then again maybe youre just some depressed 50 year old man whose live never amounted to anything and you came on here to get your rocks off defending Apple... either way you are sad and pathetic.
@Technologeee
2.1 runs mighty fine, name a better handset os?
@horchata If they have a gas pedal, they blew it.
@Technologeee Don't high-jack other comments.
@furquanatique
I'm going to need amo. Going call of duty modern warfare on their a**.
@furquanatique
Not unless Onstar runs on bullock carts....
YESSSSS!!!
@AlienSix
Uh, actually, I have no idea who those people are. Can you reference a single post where someone has said that?
@tonicboy Maybe them ornery Apple fanboys?
@tonicboy
You want me to reference a post where someone has said "Android is crap?"
are you seriously asking me that?
@AlienSix
Oh no he d-i-dn't
This sounds amazing. I want a prettier app and no silly OnStar fee.
Hmmm... I wonder if other future GM vehicles will be upgraded with this awesomeness...
Or if current models will be upgradeable... That would be awesomeness on a stick, considering that my mother just got a GMC Terrain.
Google knows too much about me and my browsing habits.
Man if Google would team up with Microsoft WP7. Man Apple would have to shut its doors forever.
@Trickymaster You care to elaborate on how competition with one of apple's products would kill the entire company? Get rid of the iPhone and apple would still be raking it in hand over fist.
@dmgabe Good. Now I tell you how the real world is. Microsoft owns the OS market. Nokia owns the phone market. Adobe owns the multimedia and creativity software market. Now where is Apple? Oh right. They let their OS run on their own computers. LOL Nothing is easier than that.
@Trickymaster Don't let you hatred of a tech company overpower your common sense. These companies have been in the same competitive market for decades, and guess what, Apple is till alive and well. Wether you like their products or philosophy or not, many people do, and will continue to buy their products.
Also, don't forget that Apple owns the mp3 player market, as well as the digital music distribution market. They currently own the slate market as well.
To think that simply because they don't dominate every market they compete in that they will go out of business only shows your lack of understanding about "the real world" as you like to call it.
@dmgabe Actually.... Apple ALMOST died in the 90s...It wasn't until Steve Jobs came back after being fired that they started up on the iPod initiative which eventually saved the company. Also, if iPods/iPhones died, I'm fairly certain no one would miss them. Here is the reason why... With the death of a company comes sale of patents. Therefore everything that made the iPod/iPhone popular would be open to all to use. The App store and all its goodies, iTunes and its music library and partnerships and so on. At which point better companies could use said technologies and come out with something better. I am a Cowon man myself, will never use another Apple portable device other than their MacBook Pro, with bootcamp of course. Apple would not be alive if not for the iPod and iPhone... This brings me to my next point. There are already better devices out, that may not be as pretty, but are infinitely better. Apple took our eyes away from the functional and to the pretty. Americans are blinded by the pretty, other countries are not. Look at Japanese and Korean devices... Some are ugly as all hell, but they are functional, and outsell almost everything in their countries. Apple is smart though... They know if they remove certain functionality, they can add it later and get people to buy the newest device as it comes out. It is a great scheme, however there are some of us who gawk at that. In the end, Apple's hold will stay, even though it shouldn't. Most of their "innovations" are nothing more than old ideas that they left off intentionally to bolster future sales.
ooooooooooooooh baby!
Ok, just give me a Chevy Volt and I will happy to beta test with my N1
Awesome! Maybe now I can find the clit!
@bakedbeans6
Just say no to fatties
What if someone hacks this so it takes me to the gym instead of the burger joint?
Well Google is in our desktops, pockets (cell phones) and soon to be cars but are they in our hearts? world domination is at hand!
Greet post, I have read and many important info has I find here.
So next time China wants to hack Google, they'll go through your Chevy.
what could keep them from implementing these features in the fall? I bet another car company could implement this idea now from scratch and have it done in a month. Chevy has to do something if to sweeten the deal if they want to sell 40K electric Malibu's. Wait till the fall, and BMW, Lexus, and Nissan will have these features as standard on all models. I doubt onstar is needed for any of that. It doesn't really matter though cause I'm on my 3rd chevy, and its my last one. I should of learned after the second one..
Ya......
I don't want advertisements in my car.
not good. they are going to know every time you fart in the seat and then they are going to post a street-view of it so your Government Agents can follow along.
Just hope it ends up in the camaro.
Don't forget Polyphony Digital / Nissan
Now only if Onstar would do a service for "Cellphone test". "Sir, we got your phone". That would be awesome.
Now if only OnStar would do a service for "Cellphone Theft". "Sir we've got your phone". That would be AWESOME!