* * * OnStar iPhone application - UPDATE * * *

[Blade]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

Well, perhaps you can get this for the older cars with onstar. Just individually. Maybe when they say it's only for 2011 and newer, they mean it comes with these cars. I mean, has onstar said it can not work with older cars?

edit:


Doesn't say anything about not being able to upgrade the older cars.

Yea and thats what irks me. For them to have new hardware called, Gen 9, they would had this for a while now before releasing it this year.

My issue is first they say its a hardware problem and blow us off. And then they try to make us believe that the hardware was created overnight, and thats why they can't work with the older models.

For them to have the hardware and software setup for the 2011 model, this project would have been started atleast a year ago. And for them to release the new hardware and software in time to be installed on the 2011 models, they would have gone through testing all winter and early part of spring, before making the recommendation to install it in 2011.

So they should tell their owners the real problems working with the 2010 and not treat the owners as if they are stupid. They should have also released this info along with the new features of the 2011 models, because yes this is a new feature. I am sure since so many people held off buying the 2010s because of HUD and color options, many people would have waited till they had the latest and greatest from OnStar.

[vm1971]

Originally Posted by Eduk8r

Maybe I am just a little old school, but what happened to being satisfied with what you have. Thank you GM for continuing to bring new technology to the cars you build even if mine does not have it.

[formare]

Somebody nut up and call on-star and ask them to remote start your car and see if they can...

[The Stig]

Somebody nut up and call on-star and ask them to remote start your car and see if they can...

Yes they can. When I first got her I was on the phone with OnStar for an hour or so having them explain all the features. Reader's Digest version

- remote start and remote shut down of your vehicle
- GPS tracking to within 50 yards
- sound the alarm/honk the horn
- tell you if your tire pressure is low
- Lock/Unlock your vehicle remotely
- uses the car's black box to recall what the car was doing seconds before an accident (down to if you were wearing your seat belt, how loud the radio was, if you hit the brakes right before, etc)

[justincase_2008]

the plot thickens...

[DevilKnightFalcon]

Agreed. The limitation here is mot the hardware. The limitation is that GM was coming out with new OnStar hardware and was too cheap or lazy to invest in coding in backward compatibility for this feature.

[Toasty]

Originally Posted by Blade

The OnStar hardware already has ability to communicate back and forth with the OnStart servers. That's why when we call OnStar, the rep is able to pinpoint our locations, unlock doors and turn off the car. Same reason why we get emails monthly updating our car info.

This is a firmware upgrade issue, which can easily be done same way the GM techs update the PDIM software in our cars.

I don't want to sound rude or mean, but just because you're a programmer doesn't mean that you know how the OnStar hardware works. Not saying that I do or that it is 100% hardware issue. It could be as simple as a different communications protocol needed to be implemented for the new features, and it is CERTAINLY possible that the Gen 8 hardware doesn't support the new protocol, new firmware or not.

[scritchy]

Originally Posted by stieger

Yes they can. When I first got her I was on the phone with OnStar for an hour or so having them explain all the features. Reader's Digest version

- remote start and remote shut down of your vehicle
- GPS tracking to within 50 yards
- sound the alarm/honk the horn
- tell you if your tire pressure is low
- Lock/Unlock your vehicle remotely
- uses the car's black box to recall what the car was doing seconds before an accident (down to if you were wearing your seat belt, how loud the radio was, if you hit the brakes right before, etc)

So why not just set up a shortcut (or whatever on the iPhone) that calls OnStar and then ask them to do the stuff for you? It isn't as simple as pressing a button since you'll have to talk to somebody, but it still has the same end state. Hell, if you call enough times maybe they will make it available for the 2010 models.

[BSX_Camaro]

Here is the problem, Gen 8 hardware does the exact same thing as the Gen 9. The only difference is one can be done via app and the other can be done by an Onstar advisor. The hardware itself isn't the problem, for them to say it is, is pure BS. They just don't want to build the interface for the customers to have the same abilities that the Onstar advisors have.

It wouldn't be so bad if they had announced this when the info for the 2011 models came out. Many people had the opportunity to buy either a 2010 or 2011 and didn't have this piece of information even though GM knew about it well in advance of the 2011 models.

We, the 2010 GM owners took a leap of faith that they wouldn't leave us hanging when we bought our vehicles. They can do it, but just don't "want" too.

Onstar's Facebook page has been nuts on this top and this is their latest response.

"We recognize the service limitations of our hardware and we are committed to exploring more flexible solutions for our mobile app offerings. As we explore, we will continue to offer similar services through our advisors who are a blue button press or a phone call away. We are listening to your comments and are taking them to our tech team to see if they can develop a solution. -Stacy"

Again, advisors can do it, an interface for the customer to have the same capability is not out of the question. Just poor direction by upper management.


BS

[Blade]

Originally Posted by BSX_Camaro

Here is the problem, Gen 8 hardware does the exact same thing as the Gen 9. The only difference is one can be done via app and the other can be done by an Onstar advisor. The hardware itself isn't the problem, for them to say it is, is pure BS. They just don't want to build the interface for the customers to have the same abilities that the Onstar advisors have.

It wouldn't be so bad if they had announced this when the info for the 2011 models came out. Many people had the opportunity to buy either a 2010 or 2011 and didn't have this piece of information even though GM knew about it well in advance of the 2011 models.

We, the 2010 GM owners took a leap of faith that they wouldn't leave us hanging when we bought our vehicles. They can do it, but just don't "want" too.

Onstar's Facebook page has been nuts on this top and this is their latest response.

"We recognize the service limitations of our hardware and we are committed to exploring more flexible solutions for our mobile app offerings. As we explore, we will continue to offer similar services through our advisors who are a blue button press or a phone call away. We are listening to your comments and are taking them to our tech team to see if they can develop a solution. -Stacy"

Again, advisors can do it, an interface for the customer to have the same capability is not out of the question. Just poor direction by upper management.


BS

Bingo.

[orangeonwhite]

Originally Posted by nashstat

I just have to say... the 2010 Camaro non compatibility issue is such a fail for GM. Many buyers here put faith in GM in their darkest hour... and this is how they take care of them!

A car that Ed Welburn said is the latest in technology is outdated just a year after it's release!

MASSIVE FAIL!

Do you really think GM cares about anyone or anything else besides lining their pockets with bailouts or sales? The list of GM "stick it to Camaro" owners (2010) grows each day. Passenger seat, DRL, Hurst shifter option, XM subscription, paint, etc,etc,etc. Ask Fbodwhatever, he can tell you all about it.

[Sean_W]

All they have to do is make an app that talks to the same computer the live rep uses when you call. Your just taking the rep out of the equation. IF I call them to start my car, they push a button to do it. All they have to do is make an app that pushes that same button (inside the software of course). So whats the big hold up?

[formare]

I just hung up the phone with ONSTAR: REMOTE START CANNOT BE DONE VIA TELEPHONE.

[chevydrvr]

I just say get over it. I mean NONE OF YOU cared when you didn't know about it right? Well for those who own 2010 cars...just pretend it doesn't exist. You were perfectly fine without it.

Just be happy with what you have...nothing is perfect in life, and when you add a huge company into the equation are they going to make it easier for you ALL the time? Hell no. Of course they DO make things better for the customer, but not 100% of the time. I like it better anyway having to actually walk up to my car and lock the doors. Something about putting the key in the door, turning it and hearing all the locks lock at once. Yeah, sometimes you forget but hey...it happens. You just go back and lock it. It's all luxury, not necessity. Owning a car in itself is a privilege, not a right, but it seems that more and more think it is. That's all I have to say. I know a lot of you will disagree but if you do, be nice about it. Don't do or or any of those. Just address is in a nice calm way. I've stated my opinion just as you have.