onstar

GM explores new Terrain

It may look like yet another boring SUV, but the GMC Terrain brings the SUV, and GM itself, into this millennium. A direct injection 3-liter V-6 offers plenty of power, an option over the standard direct injection four-cylinder. The interior looks particularly nice, especially considering a base price in the mid-20s. And we were most impressed with GM's new navigation system, a hard-drive-based unit with traffic detouring. The Terrain could change your mind about GM.

Read our review of the 2010 GMC Terrain.

BOL 1093: E-book Mania

MySpace and Facebook are hooking up? In a way. Maybe. But the real meat of the news today is all the e-book hype. Barnes and Noble will sell the Que, Bridgestone has a color one coming out, and Barnes and Noble may not always have its own Nook eReader. But does anyone want them?

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) Episode 1093

MySpace and Facebook? http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10383501-36.html

Google Voice makes steps to work with your phone number http://news.cnet.com/8301-27076_3-10383573-248.html

Microsoft pulls out … Read more

GM connects Chevy Volt to OnStar EV Lab

DETROIT--General Motors on Monday opened the doors to the OnStar EV Lab here, a testing center for in-car communications the company hopes will give its electric Chevy Volt more high-tech appeal.

The OnStar EV Lab, housed in GM's downtown Detroit corporate headquarters, is now using the OnStar communications system to gather data on 19 Chevy Volt vehicles for engineering purposes. The same technology will give consumers the ability to tap online services and perform tasks specific to a plug-in electric vehicle, company executives said.

When GM releases the Volt at the end of next year, consumers will be able … Read more

Driving while texting: A hands-free answer

According to some studies, about a quarter of U.S. motorists send text messages while driving. So why not make it safer?

That's the idea behind an upcoming service from telematics service provider ATX Group. ATX plans to introduce hands-free text messaging by voice.

According to ATX, of Dallas, its system, which uses existing speech-recognition technology, will allow people to dictate customized messages with minimal driver distraction.

Other in-vehicle communications systems read text messages aloud to drivers. And some, such as Ford's Sync, allow drivers to send texts--though only from a menu of scripted messages.

Don't look … Read more

New OnStar tech keeps stolen vehicles from starting

OnStar's suite of Stolen Vehicle Assistance services currently includes GPS technology that pinpoints a stolen vehicle's exact location, and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, which can remotely slow a stolen vehicle to idle speed. Today, OnStar announces Remote Ignition Block, a new tool that will help law enforcement to safely and quickly recover stolen vehicles.

Remote Ignition Block lets an OnStar adviser send a remote signal to a subscriber's stolen vehicle to prevent the vehicle from being restarted once the ignition is turned off. By killing the ignition, OnStar can make sure that the stolen vehicle remains stationary so … Read more

OnStar uses Microsoft Virtual Earth for better accident response, directions

Editors' note: The title of this blog post initially misstated the name of Microsoft Virtual Earth.

When OnStar advisers get an accident response call, they now have another tool at their fingertips to use. The GM subsidiary recently integrated Microsoft Virtual Earth into their response system and are using the 3D features to guide first responders with more accuracy to hard-to-find or rural locations.

"Microsoft is helping automakers, suppliers and customers focus on long-term innovation to reshape the plant floor, in-car and dealership experience," said David Graff, U.S. automotive industry solutions director, Microsoft Corp. in a press … Read more

Rumor: GM's OnStar to possibly support Twitter

Most Twitter addicts have been guilty of stoplight tweeting (an epic race against the clock to squeeze in 140 characters before the light turns green), but if recent rumors are true, General Motors is going to make TWD (Twittering While Driving) much safer if they integrate the Twitter microblogging service into OnStar.

The rumor originates with a blogger at Gear Live. While filling out an OnStar survey, he noticed this tidbit:

"While in your vehicle, you can use OnStar to submit and retrieve tweets (messages) via your Twitter account. Using OnStar's Voice-Activated Hands-Free Calling system, and having your … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 941: Urine nation

The Streamy awards made me think of how Hollywood and the video bloggers are starting to come together. It made Natali think about urination. So, maybe they need to rethink branding. We also tell you how violent video games will make you see better. For real.

Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 941

Happy fourth birthday! I can’t believe Buzz Out Loud has been around for four years. Here’s hoping for four more! –Joseph in Ohio http://buzzoutloud.wikia.com/wiki/Episode_1

Streamy Awards dominated by Felica Day http://newteevee.com/2009/03/29/joss-whedon-felicia-day-and-a-pile-of-streamys/

Google gives … Read more

2009 Cadillac CTS-V review

With stunning power and handling, the CTS-V gives the already excellent Cadillac CTS a huge performance edge. First-class interior and cutting-edge cabin tech make it a comfortable cruiser, but get it on a track where you can really have some fun. BMW M3s and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG's better watch out if they see a CTS-V coming up behind them.

Read our review of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V.