GM to trial Facebook While Driving

General Motors, not wishing to fall behind American rivals Ford in the connectivity battle, are to trial a system that will give their customers the ability to update their Facebook pages, while they are on the road.

 Plans are in operation for an advertising campaign later this month outlining their OnStar system. Working alongside Google.inc, they have created a system that by using voice commands over smartphones enables drivers to download maps and directions on the OnStar console.

Through OnStar, they have already introduced a mobile app that allows drivers to unlock and start their car but this is a clear sign that General Motors are trying to understand the needs of a younger niche market. The Facebook and texting service are in the experimental phase at present but it is hoped that soon they will be available to subscribers on an annual fee basis.

The Facebook app will allow fans of the social network to update their status simply by speaking as they drive along and having news updates read out as they appear. Smartphones will also be able to connect to OnStar by Bluetooth and also read out any incoming text messages. It allows customers to reply with one of four preset choices available through buttons on the steering wheel.

General Motor’s OnStar service was initially considered revolutionary when it first came out in 1996 and was conceived as an anti-theft and vehicle safety device. Since then however the company has fallen behind in the race to introduce new mobile technology and entertainment programs. 

GM brands Vauxhall and Chevrolet hope to have the new devices as part of their new models soon and bridge the gap between Ford’s Sync consoles. The Sync program came out in 2007 and allows customers to connect their mobiles for phone calls, music players and other plug in devices, making them voice activated.