VehicleTracking
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OnStar's Family Link tracking package launching in mid-April (updated: hands-on)
Looks like OnStar's finally ready to go live with the Family Link program it was talking up last summer. The service, which lets family members track vehicles for the low, low price of $3.99 (on top of an existing OnStar package), is set to begin a phased rollout next month. Family Link revolves around two primary, similarly named features: Vehicle Locate and Vehicle Location Alert. The first lets concerned relatives view the vehicle's location on a map and the second sends an alert at a chosen interval, letting the vehicle's location be known via text or email. The initial roll out will be open to select subscribers in April, with more invitations hitting in June and a more complete rollout later in the year. We went hands-on with the service at an OnStar demo in New York City, tracking vehicles in both New Jersey and Detroit. Family Link was able to locate a connected truck in Detroit in a mere five seconds, zeroing in on the vehicle's precise location at OnStar HQ in Michigan (note: we had tracked another vehicle in New Jersey a few minutes before -- that time with a roughly 20 second delay). It's not designed for constant tracking -- you won't see the car icon moving down the map as you drive -- but it appears to be an excellent solution for keeping tabs on your kids as they drive OnStar-equipped vehicles. We also took a look at those handy text vehicle location alerts, that OnStar will push directly to any mobile device or email address at user-selected intervals. Jump past the break to see our hands-on with both Family Link components. Zach Honig contributed to this report.
OnStar abandons plans to keep tracking vehicles after service cancelation
OnStar found itself at the center of a firestorm after it sent out an e-mail notifying customers that it planned to collect data from vehicles even after service had expired or been terminated. That is, unless the (soon to be former) users specifically opted out. Well, in a statement today, President Linda Marshall changed course and announced the post-subscription data collection would be opt-in only. The company still hoped some departing customers would volunteer to maintain a connection so that it can "provide former customers with urgent information about natural disasters and recalls affecting their vehicles." (They're just looking out for you buddy.) Even if OnStar loses out on boatloads of valuable data, at least the company won't have to listen to Chuck Schumer's public chastising any more -- that man lays a better guilt trip than your mother and grandmother combined. Check out the full announcement after the break.
Senator Schumer blasts OnStar for 'brazen' privacy violation, calls for FTC investigation
Last week, OnStar issued a privacy notice informing customers that it would continue to collect data on vehicles still connected to its servers, even for those who have already canceled their subscriptions. The move elicited a chorus of protests from Democratic privacy advocates in the Senate, including Chris Coons, Al Franken and, most recently, Charles Schumer, who wrote a letter to the FTC yesterday calling for an investigation into what he sees as a bold violation of consumer rights. "By tracking drivers even after they've canceled their service, OnStar is attempting one of the most brazen invasions of privacy in recent memory," the New York Senator said. "I urge OnStar to abandon this policy and for FTC to immediately launch a full investigation to determine whether the company's actions constitute an unfair trade practice." Find out more about OnStar's new policy, after the break.
OnStar Family Link brings loved ones closer together through vehicle tracking
Add this to the ever-growing list of things we're glad we didn't have back when we were teenagers. GM this week announced the release of Family Link, the latest addition to its OnStar service. The new feature lets subscribers track the exact location of vehicles at any time via an online map. Subscribers can also set up a text message alert to keep on top of the car's location. There's certainly potential for the feature as a safety tool, but it's also no doubt a long awaited addition for overbearing parents everywhere. The service is beginning life as an invitation-only pilot program that includes around 10,000 OnStar subscribers.
DriveSync tracks your kids' joyrides
Nothing gladdens our hearts more than seeing yet another paranoid parent kid tracking device aimed at locking down the hearts, minds and loins of today's youth. This one provides off-line GPS tracking (read: cheaper than real-time) of your vehicle so you can see when, where, how fast and how aggressively your teen is abusing the family getaway-mobile. The data is tracked passively and stored in a USB key that plugs into the receiver unit and detaches to be read on your home computer. The data is uploaded to a DriveSync server where it gets interpreted, generating reports including trip logs and usage alerts ("Junior's doing 95!"). All of this is couched under euphemistic marketing language about identifying aggressive driving behavior in your teen (or your fleet drivers, if you're the paranoid trucking co. manager-type instead of paranoid parent) and nipping it in the bud early, but don't be fooled, kids -- what this really means is no more clandestine trips to the liquor store without the 'rents finding out.
