OnStar's Stolen Vehicle Slowdown used to recover carjacked vehicle, baffle carjacker (video)
by Darren Murph 
posted Oct 21st 2009 at 11:29AM
OnStar posts
OnStar debuts Remote Ignition Block to shut down stolen vehicles
by Donald Melanson posted Jul 22nd 2009 at 6:48AM
OnStar's already rolled out a method for slowing down stolen vehicles once the cops have 'em in sight, and it looks like it's now come up with a solution for the ones that get away as well. Dubbed Remote Ignition Block, the new sevice does just what it promises and uses GPS to prevent the vehicle from starting again once the ignition has been turned off. As with most of these systems, however, the police will first have to confirm that the vehicle is in fact stolen before OnStar flips the switch, so you'll have to come up with something else for your next grand workplace prank. No word on specifics just, but OnStar says it'll be making the service available on over two million GM 2009 and 2010 model year vehicles.
GM touts new crash severity-predicting OnStar technology
by Donald Melanson posted May 22nd 2009 at 2:31PM
OnStar has been working with the CDC for a few years now in an effort to deliver real-time crash information to first responders, and it looks like it has now finally come up with something that's ready to be put to use. That comes in the form of OnStar's new Injury Severity Prediction technology, which apparently takes some recent CDC findings into account, and uses a whole range of sensors in the vehicle (along with other crash data) to predict whether a crash is likely to have caused severe injury to the people in the vehicle. That information can then be relayed to first responders with a simple severity prediction of "normal" or "high," which OnStar says should be especially helpful in cases where crash victims cannot speak for themselves. While there's no exact date for a rollout just yet, OnStar says it should be available to OnStar advisors "early next year," and that it'll be available on all vehicles equipped with OnStar's Automatic Crash Response system.[Via GM FastLane]
Twitter integration could come to OnStar
by Darren Murph posted Mar 28th 2009 at 3:19PM
OnStar adds new enhancements to turn-by-turn navigation service
by Darren Murph posted Apr 7th 2008 at 5:00PM
If you've been warming to those OnStar assistants when dialing up to get directions, you've now got a couple more reasons to pretend that you're lost. The first enhancement to its existing turn-by-turn service is Destination Download, which essentially enables subscribers with screen-based NAV systems to have routes beamed in without the driver having to pull over and manually enter them. Moving on, we see the official rollout of the long-awaited eNav service, which allows motorists in "turn-by-turn navigation-capable vehicles" to find and save destinations on MapQuest.com; afterwards, the directions can be sent to the car's navigator. Lastly, XM NavTraffic is joining the fray in order to give OnStar users instant notification if there are any delays ahead in their planned route (and the ability to change course). Peep the read link for a video demonstration of the services, and click on through for the full release.OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown hits the brakes on jacked cars
by Darren Murph posted Oct 9th 2007 at 9:39AM
OnStar teams with Red Cross for location-based disaster info
by Darren Murph posted Jun 7th 2007 at 2:02PM
With Japan doing the whole earthquake awareness thing, it's not too surprising to see America embracing a more sophisticated method of divulging crisis-related information to those in need. OnStar's new Crisis Assist capabilities will not only provide access to "specially trained crisis advisers" that can contact emergency responders and provide real-time updates to the situation(s) at hand, but subscribers that can actually drive away from the disaster will be routed to the nearest established shelter. Additionally, frantic customers can be connected to friends and family that they have listed as close to their heart on the American Red Cross Safe and Well website, and public safety officials can be notified of a request for help and track down that person's location using OnStar's embedded GPS. Interestingly, there's no word on a timeframe in which we can expect the service to officially go live, but here's to hoping a disaster doesn't strike in order for you to find out.GM partners with MapQuest for beefed-up OnStar service
by Donald Melanson posted Apr 25th 2007 at 3:08PM
GM doesn't look to be letting the prospect of a huge chunk of its customer base disappearing stop it from rolling out enhancements to its Onstar service, with the company today announcing that it's struck a deal with MapQuest that'll see the two services linked up. Under the new arrangement, OnStar users will be able to plan out their trip on the MapQuest website and then follow along in their vehicle using OnStar's turn-by-turn audio navigation service, with them still able to call up the help of a live advisor if they really fall off course. Not everyone will be getting the expanded service to start with though, with a pilot program encompassing some 3,000 users planned for this summer, followed by a full roll-out later this year or next once they've gotten all the kinks worked out.OnStar signs with CDC to beam real-time crash information
by Darren Murph posted Mar 24th 2007 at 10:05AM
While you'd probably agree that having a perfect stranger tracking your car's every move is less than comforting, we certainly wouldn't mind the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention taking a peek at our status in case of a crash. In a recent deal between General Motors and the CDC, the company's OnStar system will soon be working hand-in-hand with the agency by beaming "real-time crash data to help emergency services provide a more targeted response to those injured in a car accident." Basically, the OnStar system would alert emergency responders when one's airbag was deployed, but it would also send crash-specific information concerning the severity of the hit(s), where it was struck, and if it was rolled over. The idea is to provide more accurate information to officials that are required to make critical decisions regarding care, and this new system will purportedly go live sometime in 2008 -- if your OnStar will actually connect, that is.[Via MedGadget]
OnStar could go black for millions of analog subscribers in '08
by Darren Murph posted Nov 22nd 2006 at 1:57PM
If you just so happened to pick up a 2004 (or earlier) year model GM vehicle while waiting for that oh-so-tempting self-driving edition to land in '08, and can't wait to take full advantage of the svelte built-in OnStar system, you better start now. When analog networks have the option to go silent in 2008, vehicles equipped with analog-only hardware will not be able to communicate with those friendly voices on the other end of the blue button, which could leave some (previously) loyal GM customers seeing red. All vehicles kitted prior to 2002 will unfortunately not sport the same sense of security they once did, while select vehicles from 2002 to 2004 can be upgraded with digital equipment. Verizon Wireless -- the current network of choice for OnStar -- "has not said how or when it will dismantle its analog network," but will likely pull plugs in stages. While the value of OnStar's service is certainly debatable, leaving a substantial amount of your four million customers without a resolution certainly doesn't bode well if you're looking to snag repeat buyers, but we suppose it's the price you pay for keepin' things fresh.[Via Autoblog]
