OnStar

OnStar just launched the new Family Link pilot program – an optional service that will allow subscribers to stay connected to their loved ones when driving an OnStar-equipped vehicle. They are conducting the pilot program to gauge consumer interest.

Pilot services will include:

• Vehicle Locate: The subscriber can log on to the Family Link website to view a map with the vehicle's exact location at any time.
• Vehicle Location Alert: Subscribers can set up email or text message notifications to let them know the location of their loved one's vehicle. They can choose the day, time and frequency of the alerts.

"Our subscribers have asked us for a solution to help them stay connected to their family when they're on the road," said OnStar President Linda Marshall. "What parent hasn't asked their teenaged driver to call or send a text when they arrive somewhere, only to not hear from them? Family Link's Vehicle Locate feature lets a parent check on their child's progress or help determine when he/she might be home safe and sound."Read more

Starting July 24, owners of older vehicles will be able to add the safety and security of OnStar to their automobiles thanks to OnStar FMV (For My Vehicle), the first out-of-the-box solution of OnStar's "blue button" service.

OnStar FMV features:

• Automatic Crash Response: triggered by an accelerometer in the unit, connects the vehicle to a trained OnStar emergency advisor in the event of a crash. The advisor can provide the exact location of the crash to emergency responders using the mirror's GPS location, even if the vehicle's occupants are unable to respond.
• Turn-by-Turn Navigation: OnStar's most-popular service with 1.9 million requests a month is accessible with a press of the blue button. The driver asks the advisor for directions for a specific address or location, such as a gas station or restaurant. Directions are downloaded to OnStar FMV, which provides spoken turn-by-turn instructions to the destination.
• Hands-Free Calling is available through the OnStar service itself or through a Bluetooth connection to a mobile phone. An external microphone, which is tucked neatly into the roofline or above the overhead console, gives the best-possible voice quality while drivers keeps their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
• Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance: uses OnStar FMV's global positioning satellite system to provide a stolen vehicle's location to law enforcement officials.
• Emergency Services: summoned by pushing the red button, bring specially trained emergency advisors on the line immediately to help in a crisis, such as witnessing a collision or a crime in progress.
• Roadside Assistance for non-emergency situations, such as a mechanical breakdown or a flat tire, is a blue-button push away.

OnStar wants to remind drivers just how easy it is to stay safely connected while on the road with its Push On sweepstakes. In a national campaign which launched on Monday, 10 people will win a new OnStar-equipped Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle of their choice.

Anyone with a digital OnStar-equipped vehicle -- regardless of whether they are a current OnStar subscriber -- can enter to win by pressing the blue OnStar button in their vehicle now through May 31.*

Sweepstakes winners can select any Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle with any combination of factory-installed options – yes, even a Corvette ZR1! The only exception is the limited-production Chevrolet Volt electric car.Read more

This week, OnStar-equipped Chevrolet vehicles will come to life and join the social conversation by posting updates to dedicated Twitter accounts as they travel to SXSW in Austin. Used for the first time in external testing, the tweeting cars along with their blogger drivers will tell their own stories of the Chevrolet and OnStar Road Trip Challenge to SXSW.

Ten teams of four bloggers will represent their city on the excursion. Equipped with OnStar Directions and Connections service, a mobile phone loaded with OnStar mobile apps and Autonet Wi-Fi units for passengers, teams will document their experiences as they travel from all directions doing good deeds and raising money for Adopt-A-Classroom through their social media outreach. The hope is the Chevrolet vehicles will build a social following along with their teams during the March 8-10 road trip.

During the road trip, the drivers will have an exclusive opportunity to use and provide direct feedback on existing services like OnStar MyLink, a mobile application that provides remote vehicle connectivity to select 2011 Chevrolet vehicles. Bloggers will also review services that are in public testing including the Voice Communication App and Audio Facebook Updates. Through these tools, bloggers can send and receive text messages, Facebook updates and Twitter messages using only their voice so that they can keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Read more

Owners of 2011 Chevrolet models can now access their vehicle information and OnStar services right from their smart phones, thanks to the new myChevrolet and OnStar MyLink applications. Available as free downloads; the apps provide location-based services, vehicle-specific information, and OnStar connectivity features…all from your Android or Apple iPhone device.

The location-based services include a parking reminder that allows you to save your parking location to a GPS-enabled map, set a timer to track how much time you have on the parking meter, and even add a note or photo with details about your parking location. If you return to a flat tire, you can use the app to request roadside assistance or to locate the closest Chevrolet dealership and schedule a service appointment.

Vehicle-specific information is accessible after scanning the vehicle identification number using your smartphone's camera. These features include searchable content for the most-commonly accessed information in the owner's manual, such as directions saving radio presets. The app also provides explanations of warning lights and indicators on the vehicle instrument panel. Read more

We all know the OnStar service can provide emergency crash response, roadside assistance and stolen vehicle assistance, but the company is upping the game with their latest announcement. OnStar is jumping in head-first into the smartphone mobile app business for all GM brands. No longer just tied to the Chevrolet Volt, OnStar announced that it's expanding its mobile app technology to include the majority of vehicles in the 2011 Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC lineups.

Smartphone users will be able to use many of OnStar's features right from their device. In addition to unlocking the doors and sounding the vehicle's horn and lights, OnStar subscribers will be able to see their current fuel tank level and range, remaining oil life, current and recommended tire pressure and lifetime average miles-per-gallon... even remotely start their vehicle!Read more

Do you have OnStar? Santa does. For the first time ever, Santa's sleigh will have a GPS system that will allow you to follow his journey around the world on Christmas Eve. Starting at 6:00 a.m. E.S.T. on December 24, drivers with OnStar will be able to press the blue button in their vehicles and request a "Santa Update." From there, an advisor will share St. Nick's whereabouts based on location information provided by the The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). A new update will be available every hour through 5 a.m. EST on December 25.

Santa's hi-tech sleigh upgrades also include Rooftop Assistance and Automatic Crash Response, On-Board Reindeer Diagnostics, Stolen Sleigh Slowdown and hands-free calling to the North Pole and Turn-By-Turn Navigation.

Want to follow Santa online? Just visit NORAD Santa 2009 or NORAD Santa on Facebook.

In these economic times, every dollar counts. In an effort to help families save money wherever they can, OnStar continues support for the Low-Mileage Discount program. This program helps those Americans who drive less, pay less on their automotive insurance.

Using built-in technology, customers who opt-in can save up to 54% just by driving less than 15,000 miles annually. With the subscriber’s permission, the odometer reading from the monthly diagnostics email is forwarded to the insurance company. Based on those readings, the company will decrease premiums accordingly.

Not only does this program cut down on insurance premiums, but it also gives families an incentive to limit unnecessary driving.
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