OnStar

OnStar to offer Facebook, voice-to-text?

General Motors plans to update OnStar with Facebook integration and voice-to-text messaging, according to Bloomberg.

Citing unnamed sources, Bloomberg reported Tuesday that OnStar will unveil an update this month that will let people connect to their Facebook profile and translate voice messages to text. Bloomberg's sources said OnStar might also provide smartphone-linked "entertainment and information services."

Bloomberg's report follows a CNET interview with OnStar President Chris Preuss earlier this month. Preuss didn't provide many details, but he said his company will announce a "relaunch" of its service on September 15. The announcement will … Read more

OnStar to reveal new hardware, services

On September 15, OnStar announces what it is calling a relaunch, with new hardware and 21st-century services. We discussed the relaunch with OnStar President Chris Preuss. Most details of the announcement are still under wraps, but we were able to get some information.

Current OnStar hardware, called "the box" by OnStar staff, uses a 2G CDMA voice and data connection through Verizon, along with a GPS chip. Preuss said that on September 15, the company will announce a new box that is "better all around," with improved hardware and user interface.

A jump to a 3G … Read more

Cars: The next hacking frontier?

That nice, new computerized car you just bought could be hackable.

Of course, your car is probably not a high-priority target for most malicious hackers. But security experts tell CNET that car hacking is starting to move from the realm of the theoretical to reality, thanks to new wireless technologies and evermore dependence on computers to make cars safer, more energy efficient, and modern.

"Now there are computerized systems and they have control over critical components of cars like gas, brakes, etc.," said Adriel Desautels, chief technology officer and president of NetraGard, which does vulnerability assessments and penetration … Read more

GM: OnStar upgrade bypassed dealers

DETROIT -- General Motors Co. has upgraded software on its vehicles' OnStar module remotely -- without requiring the vehicles' owners to visit a dealership -- and will do so again, said Karl Stracke, vice president of global vehicle engineering.

The action is part of an expanded assertiveness by GM to control its software. But some dealers argue that they should retain control of vehicle software and customer relations.

"We manage our software development internally," Stracke told Automotive News. "We need to have the internal capability and not be dependent on the suppliers. We use and integrate the … Read more

Can't find your car? There's an app for that

Pretty soon, there will be an app for everything. And that trend is starting with your car.

OnStar released an app that works with almost the entire 2011 lineup of GM vehicles, and gives its subscribers remote access to many of the vehicle's key on and off functions, diagnostics, and vehicle information. With this app, you will never need to remember anything about your car.

So what can you do with this application?

Remotely lock and unlock the vehicle Honk the horn to locate your car Start the vehicle Turn car lights on and off Check the fuel tank … Read more

GM revving up Google Maps for OnStar customers

Google is in the driver's seat with Ford and now General Motors, as both automakers are unveiling services to enable car owners to send Google Maps directions to their in-car systems.

GM said Tuesday that its new service will let drivers download Google Maps from their smartphones to their OnStar navigation systems, where they can listen to turn-by-turn directions. The feature, known as OnStar eNav, will become available through Google Maps at the end of this month, according to the automaker.

The debut of OnStar eNav confirms rumors last month that GM had been working on a new service … Read more

Chevy, OnStar sponsor EV rescue classes

Chevrolet and OnStar are sponsoring a series of training courses for first responders across the U.S. specifically geared toward electric-vehicle crash rescues.

The training has the endorsement of a myriad of rescue organizations including the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), according to a joint statement from all parties involved.

Sessions will be held in 2010 in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Washington, D.C., as well as at leading rescue and first-responder conferences throughout the year.

In conjunction with the rescue organizations, Chevy … Read more

Cadillac gives its SRX turbo boost

Last year we tested Cadillac's SRX small SUV. As most of its cabin tech mirrors what's in the CTS sedan, we had high praise for the vehicle; however, we felt its direct injection 3-liter V-6 engine didn't give it enough power. This year, Cadillac is releasing its top trim vehicle in the SRX line with a turbocharged 2.8-liter V-6 engine under the hood.

Despite the smaller displacement, the turbo SRX gets 35 more horsepower than the direct injection version has. Even though its fuel economy suffers from the turbo, it's not much. We also like … Read more

Chevy Volt app for Android gets Google Maps boost

Last week, rumors were swirling around a potential partnership between General Motors and Google to develop an Android-based telematics system. On the eve of Google's I/O conference, GM made an official announcement about its actual plans for the Android OS, a version 2.0 of the Android version of its OnStar Mobile app for Chevrolet Volt that will feature Google Maps integration.

Essentially, what GM will be doing is adding a "navigation" tab to the Android version of the OnStar app that allows users to see their current location and the location of a connected Chevrolet … Read more