OnStar adds features, gets social

OnStar has announced plans to increase the services and capabilities offered by its telematics services, available on General Motors vehicles. Part of the plan is to allow users to stay more connected to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter without taking their hands off the wheel.

In what OnStar is branding as "Responsible connectivity", the GM subsidiary is testing a way to let subscribers update their Facebook status using their voice, and to listen to news feed massages. Beta testing is also underway for an SMS (short message service) feature that would allow users to listen to text messages and respond with a preset response. While this technology is hands-free, it is debatable how much connectivity will be compatible with safe driving with minimal distraction.

Also new is the MyLink app for smart phones, which will enable subscribers to unlock their cars, remotely start them, and turn on the lights using their phones.

Another feature with the somewhat cumbersome title of Advanced Telematics Operations Management System or ATOMS, promises to locate the vehicle within a specified area, in what is called geo-boxing. This, company officials say, will enable users to display their location and determine that of friends, family members, or whomever they choose, and get more granular weather and traffic information.

At a media event to announce the enhancements for their service, company officials admitted that competition like the Ford SYNC system and others on the horizon were part of the motivation for updating OnStar, which comes with a free trial period on some models but normally starts at $199 a year. SYNC, which offers some similar services, is standard on some models and optional on others, but carries no subscription. But SYNC requires users to use their own cellular phone, where OnStar-equipped vehicles do not.

OnStar officials also emphasized that a big part of the value of their service is that they employ live operators to assist subscribers, and would be adding more operators trained to help in emergencies like CPR and choking.

Hardware to support the new features is included in 2011 GM vehicles, but no timeline was given on when to expect them.