July 22, 2010 by onstarconnectioncom
OnStar Expands Smartphone App Technology
We’re excited to announce that owners of most new 2011 Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles will soon be able to control key vehicle functions from their smartphones thanks to the power of OnStar.
Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC are developing brand-specific mobile applications that will leverage OnStar technology to allow vehicle owners to activate all of the functions available on a traditional vehicle key fob — remote start, horn and lights, and door lock/unlock.
Information normally found in your OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics email, such as oil life, tire pressure and lifetime average miles per gallon, also will be available and current as of the last ignition cycle. Important vehicle information, such as current odometer reading, vehicle VIN and OnStar account number, will also be readily accessible within the apps.
Learn more about the mobile technology expansion:
Read the full OnStar mobile app press release.
This is just another example of stuffed shirts making decisions without fully understanding their consumer base! Big companies like OnStar love to think they know what their customers want but in reality they don’t have a clue! OnStar how could you roll out this amazing new technology without thinking that current OnStar customers would not want this?!?!? You should have come up with a way for current owners to upgrade their hardware! Or at least give us a firm clear answer why you didn’t make it an upgradable option for the rest of us? Way to suits!!
Good Lord, GM has peed people off by improving their product! Is it so hard to understand that it took a hardware change to upgrade to SmartPhone technology? And that they can’t just press a button to upgrade older systems? Are you mad because they wouldn’t put fuel injection in your old Chevy Vega? Geez, what’s the matter with you people?! And you’ll pay $300 a year to be able to start your car remotely and uselessly pollute the air, but won’t pay it for all of the other pretty incredible safety and convenience features of On-Star? If your tush is so sensitive that it can’t get into a cold car, move to a warmer climate!
i CAN ACESS APP ON PHONE, BUT HOW DO i ENABLE REMOTE TO WORK THE FUNTIONS.
i DO HAVE A PIN NUMBER.
I have a 2011 Buick Regal CXR and it did not have this technology & I was told by dealer that it can’t be upgraded. They tell me it’s because I bought an “early” 2011 model (bought 9/10). Will there be a time when I can upgrade?
Sorry Linlee59, the hardware in your Regal is not upgradable. I wish I had better news for you.
How do I set up myRemote Lock and Unlock?
Hi Michelle – Do you have an OnStar.com account set up yet? You will need one in order to enable the remote functions for the RemoteLink app.
If you follow this link http://www.onstar.com/web/portal/connectionsexplore?tab=2 and then click “See How to Use It”, a video will play that will give you the step-by-step instructions on how to set up the app with your phone and your vehicle.
I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions. – Lisa
I think you could be a little more open minded . I can’t afford to run out and buy a new DTS so I can have this feature . But Onstar came out this xmass with the new mirror with Onstar that you can install for a nice chunk of cash . All company’s today want are the new customers and no loyalty to the customers they already have ! Cell phones are perfect example ! You get more perks if you are a new customer than the guy who is renewing a 2 year contract ! Now back to point . My car can have doors unlocked and all other features if I call Onstar . Instead of rewireing car just have a phone app that Onstar receives message when I push buttons on phone then they send signal to car or report back to phone ! Then charge more for that sevice ! I know there is a little more to it but can easily be done and would make them money and make customer from 2006 feel like they are as important for being loyal to Onstar !!!!
Stacy,
It’s understandable that hardware had to be updated for certain interfaces and functions to be offered. Obviously, this can be a backfit option for previous models. I don’t want to beat the same drum that you have probably heard a thousand times today for any other reason than hoping OnStar might listen to their client base and begin to offer retrofit options for existing clients. It sure would be great to see that OnStar listens and responds to the voices of their clientele.