They have a phone application for everything nowadays… Really. I’ve seen some phone apps that come close to putting Nintendo DS and Playstation PSP to shame. What’s probably most amazing to me, however, is how much control the phone apps are gaining. With just the simple click of the “download” link on your phone’s screen, you can control your every life’s aspects from your cell phone. I remember when “snake” was the bees knees; times they have changed.
Well now you control every aspect of your life and now your car’s. General Motors is launching an app on the droid/iPhone markets for 2011 year model cars that lets you do and check anything on the car, from anywhere.
For starters, you can do simple and expected things such as start and turn off your vehicle, you can of course lock or unlock your doors and trunk, you can sound the horn and alarm as well as flash or turn on the lights. It gets better. You are also able to review diagnostic information, view fuel level and range, oil life status, individual tire pressure gauging, and average gas consumption. If that’s not enough, you can also check other information such as the odometer, VIN, OnStar account information, and a few more tidbits. The app promises to give customers complete versatility to their vehicles “soon”.
So how does it work? General Motors tapped into their own OnStar satellite network and cellular networks combined to connect you to your car. That also means that since the app uses your cellular network, you can access all options from anywhere you get service; even if your car is nowhere near you. I can’t help but wonder, now, how long it’ll take for other automakers to follow suit. Mercedes and BMW have similar emergency software and there are a few others who are utilizing Google and Microsoft software in their vehicles that all sound like great bases for getting similar apps for their vehicles, however none have been announced at this point.
The auto industry’s first cell-phone app sounds great but it’s not flawless. I must point out the dangers of using the app including the fret of losing your phone or worse, having it stolen. What if you’re at a club and someone grabs your phone and runs outside? What if you also just got a brand new Caddy CTS and you don’t have a password on your phone? You could also be at a restaurant and someone could be looking over your shoulder as you’re locking your doors from your seat, that person could wait for the perfect opportunity to snatch the phone and he already knows you have a car made by GM– all he has to do is walk around and press buttons on the phone until the car pops up. I’m also curious to know what insurance companies would have to say seeing as how they don’t really seem to be as helpful if you leave your keys in your car; does that mean they consider you losing your cellphone, leading to the loss of your car, irresponsible as well?
