OnStar combines telecommunications and GPS technology to offer a variety of safety, security and convenience services in cars.Consumer Reports Blogs: Cars (June 19, 2008)
Available on General Motors (GM) vehicles, the subscription-based service may include automatically alerting emergency personnel after a crash, tracking a stolen vehicle, maintenance reminders, turn-by-turn directions and stock quotes.OnStar.com: Plans & Services
Navigation System
- Push the OnStar button to connect to an advisor
- Tell the advisor the destination
- The advisor downloads the results to the car's screen-based navigation system
OnStar eNav
- Subscribers plan and save trips on MapQuest
- Push the OnStar button and then follow the turn-by-turn voice navigation directions
XM NavTraffic
- Only available to subscribers with a screen-based navigation system
- Subscribers view a color-coded overlay on their navigation screen indicating the average speed of travel along their planned route
- Accidents, traffic delays and road construction are fed into to the subscriber's navigation screen
OnStar Privacy Concerns
The OnStar Privacy Statement acknowledges diagnostic vehicle information is collected and phone calls made through their system may be recorded and/or monitored. However, OnStar claims they will not release any audio or physical records that are created as part of their service without a subpoena or other legal requirements. OnStar.com: Privacy Statement Despite the privacy policy, some people have continued to express concern for the privacy of OnStar subscribers.Onstarprivacy.com: Boycott All GM Vehicles with OnStar
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Uses telematics, a combination of telecommunications and GPS technologyConsumer Reports Blogs: Cars (June 19, 2008)
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Fact:
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Fact:
Uses cellular, voice recognition, GPS and vehicle telemetry HowStuffWorks.com: How OnStar Works
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Fact:
Services include emergency alert, turn-by-turn directions, stock quotes, stolen vehicle tracking, navigation system and hands-free cellular service
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1997
First introduced in select General Motors (GM) vehiclesConsumer Reports Blogs Cars (June 19, 2008)
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2009
Stolen Vehicle Slowdown will enable OnStar advisors, working with law enforcement, to send a signal to a subscriber's stolen vehicle to reduce engine power in order to slow the vehicle down graduallyOnStar.com: OnStar News (October 9, 2007)
