DETROIT – In a move to compete with Ford’s Sync system and attract younger buyers, GM is negotiating with Google about using its Android operating system to link phones to OnStar. According to the Wall Street Journal, it would allow drivers who use Android-based smart phones to use OnStar features while not in their car.
For example, you could check maintenance information or a Volt owner could check the charge of the vehicle from their phone. There are not a whole lot of details, but OnStar said it’s going to make a significant announcement next week, so hold the phone.
Like Sync, Google’s Android would allow GM customers to pair their vehicles with almost any brand of smartphone. While Android would offer GM serious competition for Ford’s popular Sync, which was recently expanded into a set of services now called MyFord, MyMercury, and MyLincoln, the Google hookup wouldn’t be an entirely parallel competitor with the Microsoft system.
Google would allow better two-way communication between a smartphone and the car. Google’s operating system also would render useless GM-owned OnStar’s turn-by-turn navigation system, because Android would use its own GPS map navigation. This could be a sticking point in negotiations between Google and GM.
How soon could it happen? We’re unlikely to get confirmation from either GM or Google earlier than 2011, Motor Trend magazine reported.
Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/6646652/technology/gm-woos-google-collaboration-would-compete-with-ford-microsofts-sync/index.html#ixzz0nqKFehTm
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