General Motors’ OnStar telematics unit has earlier unveiled a smartphone application for the Chevrolet Volt that allowed drivers to remotely manage the charging, locking and unlocking of their vehicle and pre-warm or cool it while plugged in. And now OnStar is also extending that basic concept to nearly the entire General Motors lineup for 2011.
But GM users will have a difference to that the Ford users. GM integrates cellular radios into the car while Ford relies on the driver’s existing phone connected via Bluetooth or a cable. This allows Ford to offer services like turn-by-turn directions without charging a subscription fee. OnStar has long struggled to find a way to encourage customers to carry on paying the subscription after the initial period expires.
The incorporated cellular radio allows OnStar to offer services like remote starting, car location and lock/unlock from anywhere that can’t be done with Sync or just a short-range key fob. The applications will also offer access to vehicle data like tire pressures and oil levels, and permit owners to call an OnStar adviser or schedule service activities with a dealer. The applications will be available for Androids and iPhones. You can check out a video after the jump.
So start using your iPhone, BlackBerry, or Android handset right away. But, you’ll need to be an OnStar subscriber to use the app, with rates currently starting at a somewhat steep $18.95 per month.
Tags: android, androids, blackberry, bluetooth, cellular radios, chevrolet, chevrolet volt, chevy volt onstar, ford, general motors, Iphone, onstar, pre warm, remotely charge, smartphone control, sync, unlock
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