"There's an app for that" could become a motto of sorts for GM, as the automaker prepares to open up its OnStar API to third party developers. But on a limited basis.
First up is a partnership with the car-sharing service RelayRides, which will allow millions of GM vehicle owners to use the embedded OnStar system to rent their cars while controlling access and rates. Utilizing the OnStar API, a RelayRides app will let renters unlock and access a participating GM vehicle starting later this year. GM claims that vehicle owners could earn up to $250 a month. Just make sure you've stashed your stuff.
This isn't the first API solution OnStar has developed with outside companies. OnStar's eNav service was created in conjunction with Mapquest and Google, and an API solution was also used in the beta test of OnStar's Facebook audio updates. You've probably seen the commercials. And heard the outcry.
But it is the first in OnStar semi-open API policy. And with its new initiative, OnStar users may find a much broader selection of app offerings in the future. "We want to give people 1,001 reasons to keep their OnStar subscription active," said Eric Litt, OnStar's chief information officer. "We feel that opening up our proprietary API to developers will ensure that OnStar continues to keep customers connected in ways they never thought possible."
Apps that may come down the pike are open to speculation, but it's safe to say that Angry Birds probably won't be one of them. OnStar's open-source API will be made available in the first half of this year, and inquiries should go to developers@onstar.com.
Let the OnStar app race begin. And conspiracy theories by privacy advocates run amok.
-- Eric Hiss, Contributor
sigmabody says:
11:10 PM, 01/ 8/12
I'm unclear... I don't think there are very many conspiracy theories about OnStar, but I could be wrong. It's pretty common knowledge that they can and do spy on passengers, track people for the government, remote control your vehicle, etc. If you buy a car with OnStar (and/or support GM), you're essentially signing up to be monitored by the government, and/or anyone else OnStar wishes to allow to monitor/control your vehicle; you're already saying you don't care about privacy or big brother abusing your "rights".
All this is well known and well documented, though... where's the conspiracy theory? Unless you mean the kind which is only a conspiracy theory to the woefully uninformed and/or intentionally ignorant...?
ralphhightower says:
10:39 AM, 01/ 9/12
I'm interested in the OnStar API. I have an idea for an app that sends text alerts from my phone to the radio's display.