Google Android Interface For the Chevy Volt 132
jerryjamesstone writes "Earlier this month, General Motors hinted at a partnership with a major tech company to fully overhaul its telematics system, OnStar. While OnStar CEO Chris Preuss was tight-lipped about who that partner was, Motor Trend recently reported that it's Google. If the rumor's true, GM will make the Chevy Volt the first Android-based vehicle to hit the road. The Motor Trend article suggests 'Google would sell its Android operating system for in-car use,' while the Wall Street Journal has a slightly different take: 'The pairing would likely involve a way for users of Android-based smartphones to use OnStar features from their phone while not in their car. ... For instance, a person could find out information about their vehicle's maintenance needs through the Android phone. In the case of the Volt, GM's coming electric car, an owner may be able to keep track of the car's battery charge without being in the car.'"
Comment removed (Score:3, Interesting)
Best use-case? (Score:3, Interesting)
For instance, a person could find out information about their vehicle's maintenance needs through the Android phone.
Is that really the best use-case you can come up with? The only time I care about my car's maintenance needs are when I'm actually driving it. The 'check engine' light is annoying enough, I certainly don't want it to push notifications to my phone!
1 lost sale (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Best use-case? (Score:2, Interesting)
The only time I care about my car's maintenance needs are when I'm actually driving it.
And I think that's a big part of why Americans aren't too on top of keeping their car maintained and only have anything done after something breaks. Despite being a car enthusiast, I know I don't do a good job of keeping track of preventative maintenance beyond oil changes. If you could have an app on your phone that could say "Hey, you've driven X thousand miles since these tires were installed and they're only good for X+5,000 miles, so you should get new tires soon" or "Hey, you're coming up on 75,000 miles, you should take it in and get the belts and hoses checked so that they don't break / spring a leak on you while you're driving". No one would be forcing you to use the app, but I could definitely see a lot of people who would get a lot of usefulness out of such a thing.
Re:Erm, is this really usefull? (Score:3, Interesting)
Wow, those 'features' all sound very useless. What use does it have to check all those stuff when you're not in your car?
Exactly - when I'm scheduling maintenance for my car, I have to be sitting inside it! I don't do it from my office, where I can see my own calendar to know when I have time to take it in or anything.
Fleet managers! (Score:4, Interesting)
This would be great for people who have to manage a large number of vehicles. Not only do you know where all of your fleet is at any one time but you know who and how the miles are being put on them. Could save millions.
Re:Best use-case? (Score:3, Interesting)
It could have an OBD reader, too, so instead of "Check Engine" it could say "Faulty Oxygen Sensor, service soon".
Hmmm, let's see (Score:2, Interesting)
Your car - Android - Google - maps - street view - "accidental" data harvesting...
I'll take two!
Sorry, only one per customer
Not as lame as u think (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Beta (Score:3, Interesting)
The article says the Volt's travel data interface will be running Android. It doesn't say it's going to run Google Apps.
The way I understand it, Android is the OS (or more precisely, the software stack). I'm betting there will be special apps written by a contractor for Chevrolet that will actually do the GPS-ing.
Do I have that right?