Comments on: Chevy Volt Will Connect to Blackberry and iPhone Apps

By: Mike Huggins

Mike Huggins — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:12:12 +0000

This is awesome news! The video is inspiring! November can’t get here fast enough.

Lyle, I plan to wear my “I am # 2139 on the waiting list at GM-Volt.com” shirt to the NAIAS on January 16th. I am making the several hundred miles drive from Grove, OK weather permitting.

Who do I need to impress to get a chance to sit in the seat for just a few seconds?

By: theflew

theflew — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:11:11 +0000

Jackson: I like the idea of being able to plan routes before you get into the car — but how about on your PC?Either push it through a website or carry a flash drive out with you (will save time and be safer than fiddling with an in-dash system).Several have mentioned detecting theft — how about remote car power-down, or remote “make the lights flash and horn blow” to underscore to police that the vehicle is actually stolen?With this connectedness, a Volt may become too dangerous a target for any but the most foolish theives.

OnStar already does this via Mapquest.

http://wireless.mapquest.com/sendto/onstar/

Actually I think OnStar already does everything you mentioned. Probably should go to http://www.onstar.com

By: theflew

theflew — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:05:57 +0000

I imagine they said iPhone/Blackberry but I would imagine this could work on any smartphone or iPhone(not sure iPhone is a smartphone – very good feature phone with apps). I imagine the app doesn’t interface directly to the car. It probably goes through some web app that talks with OnStar and OnStar is doing the vehicle communications. So I imagine the app could be written for any phone given the web API.

By: arnab basu

arnab basu — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:33:46 +0000

tigers wife could have used this feature.... Arnab, Delhi..

Tibor: It would be great to get the car’s location… and no, not when it is in my garage. The feature would be great to have at large parking places: your car is located 150 meters THAT way. The Volt has GPS, my iPhone has GPS…

By: Arti Choque

Arti Choque — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:41:58 +0000

GM Volt Data systems Designers:

Three things to consider:

1) a Bluetooth data dump to any BT data device – containing a subset of your most useful vehicle data: mpg, ttl mi, ttl kWh, AER miles, SOC etc. For admitted geeks to track performance specs and share with geek friends.

2) A social network via Fbook or similar, that allows Volt owners to compare stats, stories, tips, and gossip.

Prii owners (me) “related” to each other because the vehicle reflected our values. A similar effect will develop with Voltites. This is worth 100Ms in free good will. Viral word of mouth will drive sales faster than advertising can – this is a key concept for that purpose.

3) A “Plug-Ins” software box where owners can install third party plug-ins that benignly access a portion of the vehicle’s data set. e.g. a graphic display illustrating gallons of oil, gas, dollars “saved” in EV mode (barrels, tanks, trucks, coins, etc).

This accomplishes a couple things: you access huge software talent pool, encourages attention from tech-savvy population. Potential ancillary revenue by license sales to plug-in developers. Grows an “after market” for EV add-ons and accessories.