Wild Ass Rumor Of The Day: GM And Google Discussing Onstar-Android Tie-Up

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

The Wall Street Journal [sub] reports that GM and Google are discussing new ways to connect the internet giant’s Android mobile phone operating system with GM’s Onstar system. OnStar’s president Chris Preuss has hinted that “big news” is coming next week, spurring speculation about the features that a partnership with Google could yield for Onstar. If such a plan is in the works, GM’s timing is quite good. Ford had previously enjoyed an exclusive license to Microsoft’s technology which underpins its Sync system, but that agreement recently expired, prompting deals between Microsoft and automakers like Fiat and- Hyundai-Kia. By becoming the first US-market OEM to partner with Google, GM could enjoy an advantage in Detroit’s burgeoning technology wars… at least until distracted driving becomes a capital crime.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Porschespeed Porschespeed on May 13, 2010

    And people wonder why I won't drive a car made past about 1995... Orwell was right, just a bit off on the date.

  • Dhathewa Dhathewa on May 13, 2010

    I was hoping that Android would help usher in a new era of openness in automotive (and other) electronics. If they've got any kind of exclusivity going with OnStar, that won't advance openness.

    • Dhathewa Dhathewa on May 13, 2010

      Maybe an open systems approach would be a good fit with Scion's image.

  • Ton12 (of GM) Ton12 (of GM) on May 13, 2010

    To answer the technical connection questions... An OnStar automobile determines its coordinates (location) from satellite triangulation the same way a portable GPS does. However, the automobile connects to the OnStar system through cell phone networks. OnStar knows the location of a car because the car phone sends the coordinates through the cell phone connection. Nothing is uploaded back up to a satellite.

  • Steven02 Steven02 on May 14, 2010

    This would be a good move for GM if they can get a really good interface similar to Sync and MyFord Touch. I am willing to be other companies will be doing the same thing as well soon, but the name is good for marketing. People know what Sync is. They may not understand what all it does, and that other companies over very similar systems, but the branding makes people more interested in it.

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