November 9, 2011 by onstarconnects

Getting Directions with OnStar RemoteLink Mobile App

Jeff Ravas, engineering group manager at OnStar Advanced Systems Development

OnStar RemoteLink, the mobile app for iPhone and Android smartphones, has been updated with a new navigation component that lets you search for a location and then send it to your vehicle either as a destination for an in-dash navigation system or — for vehicles without an in-dash navigation system — as Turn-by-Turn(1) driving directions. Built-in voice recognition capability lets you speak your search terms to the app rather than type them in, if you choose.

For example, you can ask OnStar RemoteLink to find a local bagel shop. Results appear on a map or in a list. When you find one you like, you can send it to your car as either a destination or Turn-by-Turn route, or you can choose to send it later. The OnStar RemoteLink app will retain the five most recent destination results in a rolling list (the newest replacing the oldest) indefinitely.

How enhancement works

Here’s what happens when you select the send-to-car option:

• OnStar RemoteLink transmits the destination information to the computer in the OnStar data center

• The OnStar data center either initiates a download of the destination to your in-dash navigation unit, or processes it into Turn-by-Turn directions and initiates the download of the Turn-by-Turn route to the OnStar hardware in your vehicle.

• When your vehicle is started, it automatically starts determining a route on your in-dash unit or gives you the first maneuver of the Turn-by-Turn route that was already downloaded.

The OnStar RemoteLink navigation enhancement is an addition to OnStar’s current navigation offerings, which include driving directions supplied by an OnStar Advisor or by OnStar eNav — the feature that allows you to send a destination to the vehicle from Google Maps™ or MapQuest.com. Learn how to plan ahead with MapQuest.com.

A natural addition to RemoteLink

“Whether it be checking the Home Tab to confirm your vehicle has gas or starting your vehicle from the Remote Tab to confirm it is warm upon departure, RemoteLink helps you prepare for your next drive” says Jeff Ravas, engineering group manager at OnStar Advanced Systems Development in Detroit. “To that end, the navigation enhancement was a natural evolution for RemoteLink. Instead, having a mobile device available to you and being able to search categorically, seeing all the restaurants that are around you and picking one based on whatever information is important to you, in the app itself, is pretty convenient. You can find and send your destination at a time that is convenient to you. With RemoteLink, you’re assured the vehicle is ready to go when you are!”

OnStar RemoteLink debuted at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show for the Chevrolet Volt. Since then, it has been adopted by Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac to work with many 2010 and most 2011 and 2012 vehicles. It can be downloaded free for compatible smartphones from either the App Store or the Android Market and is complimentary for all OnStar subscribers. See the full list of RemoteLink-compatible vehicles.

What would you use RemoteLink for the most? Let us know in the comments below.

1 Requires ABS and Directions & Connections plan. Visit onstar.com for coverage map. Services vary by model.

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Other Posts That You May Like:

1. OnStar Leverages Google Technology for Chevrolet Volt
2. OnStar Partners with Google to Expand Turn-by-Turn Navigation
3. “OnStar Turn-By-Turn Navigation Gives Me My Independence”
4. OnStar Launches Mobile App for Chevrolet Volt
5. Drive with Confidence

Tags: eNav, RemoteLink Mobile App, Turn-by-Turn Navigation