OnStar announced earlier this week that it is testing new voice-activated features, including Facebook updates and voice-to-text messaging. The new perks will be included in an update coming soon to its in-car communications system which is available in almost all new GM vehicles.
Craig Trudell and Jeff Green from Bloomberg write:
The Facebook technology may allow users to verbally update their status message and listen to their most recent “news feed” messages, Elizabeth Robbins, an OnStar spokeswoman, said today in an e-mail.
OnStar also is testing technology that will allow users to have their text messages read to them and reply to messages using four preset replies, Robbins said.
The ability to bringing social networks like Facebook inside the car is meeting mixed reviews. Check out the comments on some of these articles around the web.
We’re holding off judgment until we see a finished product. Who knows, OnStar might scrap the idea all together. Jocelyn Allen, OnStar’s Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs, had this to say:
OnStar will not implement a new service simply because it’s technically feasible. All of our technologies are rigorously evaluated.
Just because we can do it, doesn’t mean we should. Stay tuned.
Jocelyn Allen
OnStarDiva
In the meantime, this blogger is going to enjoy her commute uninterrupted by Facebook (but streaming Pandora.com on her iPhone).
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