Comments on: Smartphones Will Replace OnStar and Similar Systems http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2009/01/16/smart-cell-phone-or-onstar/ Toyota Tundra News, Reviews, Accessories, and Information Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:36:24 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: admin (Jason) http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2009/01/16/smart-cell-phone-or-onstar/#comment-6039 admin (Jason) Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:46:58 +0000 http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/?p=726#comment-6039 Lauren - Good link. It makes a case for Onstar for sure. Lauren – Good link. It makes a case for Onstar for sure.

]]> By: Lauren http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2009/01/16/smart-cell-phone-or-onstar/#comment-6026 Lauren Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:56:40 +0000 http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/?p=726#comment-6026 I do some web work for OnStar and james everyhing you were saying as dead on. Onstar just made a video on it too.  Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9xpOD–xN0

]]> By: admin (Jason) http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2009/01/16/smart-cell-phone-or-onstar/#comment-5822 admin (Jason) Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:44:26 +0000 http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/?p=726#comment-5822 James - All good points, but I don't think you're right about OnStar working outside a cellular coverage area (a quick search shows that OnStar uses a powerful cellular phone to transmit signals). Still, you're absolutely right about what smart phones can and can't do right now. Our thoughts here are that in the near future, the smart phone will seriously erode and replace many of the features that make OnStar (and systems like it) useful. Smart phones can't detect accidents now, but there's absolutely no reason that one couldn't be programmed to detect a painfully rapid deceleration if it was "docked" and receiving power from the vehicle. It could then quiz the driver to respond, and if a response wasn't received, the smart phone could call the cellular service and request help. It's not happening now, but in 2 years? My guess is that it will be (along with portable diagnostics, navigation, etc. basically everything you can do now with a laptop computer). James – All good points, but I don’t think you’re right about OnStar working outside a cellular coverage area (a quick search shows that OnStar uses a powerful cellular phone to transmit signals). Still, you’re absolutely right about what smart phones can and can’t do right now. Our thoughts here are that in the near future, the smart phone will seriously erode and replace many of the features that make OnStar (and systems like it) useful. Smart phones can’t detect accidents now, but there’s absolutely no reason that one couldn’t be programmed to detect a painfully rapid deceleration if it was “docked” and receiving power from the vehicle. It could then quiz the driver to respond, and if a response wasn’t received, the smart phone could call the cellular service and request help. It’s not happening now, but in 2 years? My guess is that it will be (along with portable diagnostics, navigation, etc. basically everything you can do now with a laptop computer).

]]> By: Mickey http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2009/01/16/smart-cell-phone-or-onstar/#comment-5803 Mickey Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:01:20 +0000 http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/?p=726#comment-5803 James you forgot the price also. A rip off. I keep my cell phone in my pocket so I don't use it while I'm driving. I guess you do..... That says it.... Also jason mention ripped off antennae and guess what ONstar can't hear you. What will you do after your free years worth? Get another vehicle... Yes James it's a great system but way too much. It all falls down to god's will James. If it was meant to be Onstar can't help. You did forget to mention Onstar can track the car itself if stolen. James you forgot the price also. A rip off. I keep my cell phone in my pocket so I don’t use it while I’m driving. I guess you do….. That says it…. Also jason mention ripped off antennae and guess what ONstar can’t hear you. What will you do after your free years worth? Get another vehicle… Yes James it’s a great system but way too much. It all falls down to god’s will James. If it was meant to be Onstar can’t help. You did forget to mention Onstar can track the car itself if stolen.

]]> By: James Simpson http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2009/01/16/smart-cell-phone-or-onstar/#comment-5798 James Simpson Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:54:27 +0000 http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/?p=726#comment-5798 Just a few things a "smart"phone can't do that OnStar can: 1. OnStar is available where there isn't a cellular signal. 2. OnStar performs comprehensive vehicle diagnostics. 3. OnStar calls emergency help if you're in an accident. God forbid, but you could be bleeding out, unconscious, and your "smart"phone flew out the window. There's much more, of course, but this article is an Apples and Oranges comparison. Toyota is making a smart move. Just a few things a “smart”phone can’t do that OnStar can:

1. OnStar is available where there isn’t a cellular signal.
2. OnStar performs comprehensive vehicle diagnostics.
3. OnStar calls emergency help if you’re in an accident. God forbid, but you could be bleeding out, unconscious, and your “smart”phone flew out the window.

There’s much more, of course, but this article is an Apples and Oranges comparison. Toyota is making a smart move.

]]> By: admin (Jason) http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2009/01/16/smart-cell-phone-or-onstar/#comment-5723 admin (Jason) Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:04:55 +0000 http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/?p=726#comment-5723 Dave - You're right about the theft benefits of OnStar. A smartphone isn't able to do much more than navigation right now, but as expensive as they're getting maybe theft recovery will be a new feature. Anyways, just for reference (and because I know about this), the actual LoJack system is actually quite a bit nicer than the theft recovery system OnStar uses. LoJack uses a hidden FM transmitter, OnStar uses a cell-phone. To disable OnStar, you rip the antenna off the roof. To disable LoJack, you hunt through the entire vehicle and hope you can find the transmitter (which is un-marked and hard to identify). Most police departments have cruisers with LoJack computers that listen for and track down a stolen car with a LoJack transmitter. LoJack doesn't rely upon GPS co-ordinates to transmit it's location like OnStar does, so it can't be defeated by going in an underground parking garage. Finally, LoJack is a one-time expense and lasts a lifetime. OnStar, not so much. Not that I'm a LoJack salesperson or anything! :-) Dave – You’re right about the theft benefits of OnStar. A smartphone isn’t able to do much more than navigation right now, but as expensive as they’re getting maybe theft recovery will be a new feature. Anyways, just for reference (and because I know about this), the actual LoJack system is actually quite a bit nicer than the theft recovery system OnStar uses. LoJack uses a hidden FM transmitter, OnStar uses a cell-phone. To disable OnStar, you rip the antenna off the roof. To disable LoJack, you hunt through the entire vehicle and hope you can find the transmitter (which is un-marked and hard to identify). Most police departments have cruisers with LoJack computers that listen for and track down a stolen car with a LoJack transmitter. LoJack doesn’t rely upon GPS co-ordinates to transmit it’s location like OnStar does, so it can’t be defeated by going in an underground parking garage. Finally, LoJack is a one-time expense and lasts a lifetime. OnStar, not so much. Not that I’m a LoJack salesperson or anything! :-)

]]> By: Mickey http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2009/01/16/smart-cell-phone-or-onstar/#comment-5713 Mickey Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:29:55 +0000 http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/?p=726#comment-5713 Dave that's a good thing to have. I had lowjack before also in my fords. I'm not sure of the price is now but I bet it's over $30 month for that incentive. Dave that’s a good thing to have. I had lowjack before also in my fords. I’m not sure of the price is now but I bet it’s over $30 month for that incentive.

]]> By: Dave http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2009/01/16/smart-cell-phone-or-onstar/#comment-5710 Dave Wed, 21 Jan 2009 05:47:55 +0000 http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/?p=726#comment-5710 Another thing OnStar has now is a type of lowjack. If your vehicle gets stolen, OnStar can track down where your vehicle is, notify law enforcement, then switch off the accelerator when law enforcement is ready to do the recovery. Another thing OnStar has now is a type of lowjack. If your vehicle gets stolen, OnStar can track down where your vehicle is, notify law enforcement, then switch off the accelerator when law enforcement is ready to do the recovery.

]]> By: Mickey http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2009/01/16/smart-cell-phone-or-onstar/#comment-5704 Mickey Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:35:19 +0000 http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/?p=726#comment-5704 Jason remember I had an 06 Silverado and I had added a verizon line on the truck which all buttons were on the steering column. When after a year of free Onstar I renewed it and then after 4 months I traded the truck in and it wa a big hassle in dropping service from Onstar. It was simple dropping the verizon line from Verizon but I had to go through Onstar first then they contact Verizon and I contact verizon to drop the line and this took 3 months to get it right. I had to drop it twice. It was like having a nasty cold kept coming back. Jason remember I had an 06 Silverado and I had added a verizon line on the truck which all buttons were on the steering column. When after a year of free Onstar I renewed it and then after 4 months I traded the truck in and it wa a big hassle in dropping service from Onstar. It was simple dropping the verizon line from Verizon but I had to go through Onstar first then they contact Verizon and I contact verizon to drop the line and this took 3 months to get it right. I had to drop it twice. It was like having a nasty cold kept coming back.

]]> By: admin (Jason) http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2009/01/16/smart-cell-phone-or-onstar/#comment-5701 admin (Jason) Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:50:59 +0000 http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/?p=726#comment-5701 Mickey - Wow - had no idea. That's definitely a reason to think about skipping OnStar. Maybe that's why Toyota launched a competing product. Mickey – Wow – had no idea. That’s definitely a reason to think about skipping OnStar. Maybe that’s why Toyota launched a competing product.

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