The Android version of the Chevy Volt’s OnStar mobile app will gain integration with Google Maps with its 2.0 upgrade.
(Credit:CNET)
Last week, rumors were swirling around a potential partnership between General Motors and Google to develop an Android-based telematics system. On the eve of Google’s I/O conference, GM made an official announcement about its actual plans for the Android OS, a version 2.0 of the Android version of its OnStar Mobile app for Chevrolet Volt that will feature Google Maps integration.
Essentially, what GM will be doing is adding a “navigation” tab to the Android version of the OnStar app that allows users to see their current location and the location of a connected Chevrolet Volt on Google Maps. With the vehicle located, the user can then get Google Maps directions to the Volt on their handset. Users will also be able to use Google’s Voice Search to find and send destinations to the paired Volt, where OnStar turn-by-turn directions will take over in-car navigation duties.
Although demonstration versions of the Chevrolet Volt mobile app are available in the Android Market, the iTunes App Store, and for Blackberry devices, a working 1.0 version of the app has yet to be released (probably because the Volt itself is still awaiting release). Additionally, the new Google Maps integration and functionalities touted by GM won’t be available at the app’s launch, so this news of Android-specific features in the version 2.0 is a serious bit of foreshadowing on GM and OnStar’s part.
“While OnStar will never lose sight of our core focus on safety and security, this relationship is an example of how we’re evolving our leadership position in connected vehicle technology,” said Chris Preuss, OnStar president. “What we’re talking about today is only the beginning.”
GM and OnStar will debut and demonstrate new Google Maps functionalities of the Chevrolet Volt mobile app for Android at the Google I/O conference May 19-20 in San Francisco, CA.
Topics: GPS, Communications Tags: Google, Volt, Android, OnStar, Google Maps, Google I/O, Chevrolet Share: Digg Del.icio.us Reddit Facebook Twitter Recent posts from The Car Tech blog 5 best SUVs for twisties The Chevy Volt actually exists, and we drove it Porsche counts on new Cayenne, V-6 Panamera Cadillac gives its SRX turbo boost BlueAnt debuts voice-activated Bluetooth car speaker American Express offers half-price Ford Fusion Hybrid Zap’s new lithium battery systems offer long life New bus for London: Routemaster revival Add a Comment (Log in or register) (3 Comments) prev next by stepyourgameup May 18, 2010 9:12 AM PDT The Volt was once a cool concept, now it’s yesterday’s news. Like this Reply to this comment by Joe Real May 18, 2010 10:45 AM PDT Enough with these useless over-hyped software. We need the Volt and the Volt’s price to see if it will be worth our while. Like this Reply to this comment by May 19, 2010 5:35 AM PDT ?? Like this Reply to this comment (3 Comments) prev next Add a comment Comment SUBMIT Click here to add another comment. Popular discussions on CNET: Why I became an Android fanboy
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