Android Apps
GM confirms Chevy Volt will heavily-integrate with Android app
May 18, 2010 | by Andrew Kameka
Travel
Google and OnStar will begin working together to pair Google’s services with OnStar in select vehicles. GM announced today that it would “leverage” Google technology to develop new mobile apps for the Volt, promising to give more insight tomorrow at the Google I/O conference.
The new technology will include a navigation tab that uses Google Maps to tell owners the location of their Chevrolet Volt (take that, thieves!). Users will also be able to perform a Google Voice Search, send a destination from the phone to the car’s built-in OnStar navigation system, or get voice-guided directions using Google Maps.
These features will NOT be available immediately, but will appear later in a 2.0 version of the forthcoming Chevrolet Volt Android app. Other highlights from the announcement include:
- Charge status display – plugged in or not and voltage (120V or 240V)
- Flexibility to “Charge Now” or schedule charge timing
- Display percentage of battery charge level, electric and total ranges
- Ability to manually set grid-friendly charge mode for off-peak times when electricity rates are lowest
- Send text or email notifications for charge reminders, interruptions and full charge
- Display miles per gallon, electric only miles, and odometer readings
- Shows miles per gallon, EV miles and miles driven for last trip and lifetime
- Remotely start the vehicle to pre-condition the interior temperature
Chris Perry has some big shoes to fill in his new job. Hyundai has named Perry to replace Joel Ewanick as its vice-president of marketing. Ewanick, who left Hyundai in March for a short stay in the same position at Nissan, recently was appointed to that role at General Motors. Ewanick is credited with many of the particularly creative initiatives that have boosted Hyundai’s market share in the past several years, including last year’s assurance program, in which the automaker committed to making payments for laid off customers. Perry has been with Hyundai for ten years and since 2007 has been director of marketing communications. In that role, he’s been involved in developing the aforementioned award-winning programs, so things shouldn’t shake up too much. Perry will report to CEO John Krafcik.
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