OnStar has been on a technology tear to keep up with the demands of the always-connected car consumer as well as its crosstown rival Ford. OnStar's latest tech update may be to add a Facebook feature that lets subscribers use voice commands to update their status.
Certain smartphone-addicted drivers want to keep up with every tweet and Facebook status update from behind the wheel, and automakers are trying to figure out how to offer them these features, without incurring the wrath of Oprah and other auto-safety advocates or causing carnage on our roadways.
Bloomberg reports that an OnStar spokesperson wrote in an email this morning that the company may allow users to verbally update their Facebook status via the system and also receive "news feed" updates from Facebook. Bloomberg also said OnStar is working on a way to allow drivers to receive text messages and have them read aloud as well as respond with canned replies a la Sync.
Ford's Sync system offers some of the same features as OnStar, including 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Reports, except for free. But Sync relies on a Bluetooth-connected cell phone rather than electronics embedded in the vehicle. Mercedes-Benz and Lexus have also recently debuted new telematics systems and services, and OnStar has been keeping up by offering apps and other enhancements.
Expect more news from OnStar in the next week or so: In a recent CNET interview, company president Chris Preuss said the telematics service will undergo a "relaunch" on September 15 so that it's "better all around."
half_ton says:
04:07 PM, 09/ 8/10
It is beyond ridiculous that so many people (IDIOTS) feel the need to be online behind the wheel that this is even being considered. What happened to the days of PAYING ATTENTION TO DRIVING while behind the wheel!?!?!
brn says:
04:12 PM, 09/ 8/10
Sadly, this will sell cars.
santiagofdz says:
04:22 PM, 09/ 8/10
What tha f#@k?!
93aero says:
06:00 PM, 09/ 8/10
oh wow....one...stop adding more to the rearview mirrors.....two....WTF IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE!!!!!! Why would you feed into this demographic? Yes i see there is a problem today with texting and driving...but this is by far one of the dumbest ways to combat it. Get a ford with sync....
saxdogg says:
08:12 PM, 09/ 8/10
This would have been a great April Fools post...wait, is this real?
dougtheeng says:
09:04 AM, 09/ 9/10
Twitter is stupid. I said it when it started and I maintain it now.
the_big_al says:
03:07 PM, 09/ 9/10
why would i want to update my facebook status while driving?? Oh wait, so I can let the world I am about to crash....
lets see ... here's how the post will read...
the_big_al about to run int car in front of me.
5 seconds later.... the_big_al ran into car in front of me
1 minuite later.... the_big_al being cited for inattentive driving and causing an accident
5 minutes later.... the_big_al posting from my car while being towed to the junkyard. Couldn't wait till I got home to let the word know I'm a moron.