OnStar MyLink Android App updated to OnStar RemoteLink

[ssj4vegita2002]

The android app updated this morning. Aside from the name change [apparently to stop confusion with the new MyLink software bundle that will be in the newer Chevy's] they added in an actual number fuel indicator for the Volt remaining. Mine now gives the % left as well as gallons left and range.

https://market.android.com/details?i....mobile.mylink

[voltage692]

Just downloaded the iPhone version. The old version already had those features you were missing, so there's almost no difference for our phone other than the name.

I did test a remote start and it only took about 12 seconds versus the normal 60+ seconds. Although, I don't trust that will last because the last iPhone update of the OnStar app worked faster for a short while before it went back to minute plus for commands to complete.

[ssj4vegita2002]

I didn't remember it giving an actual fuel level, just the %. Either way I hope they keep updating it. What I'm really looking forward to is those efficiency graphs on the MyVolt website.

[AZ EV Driver]

The android app updated this morning. Aside from the name change [apparently to stop confusion with the new MyLink software bundle that will be in the newer Chevy's] they added in an actual number fuel indicator for the Volt remaining. Mine now gives the % left as well as gallons left and range.

https://market.android.com/details?i....mobile.mylink

I'm not sure you have to install a new version. When I launched the old MyLink on my Android phone I could see all of the info you are talking about (%, gallons, & range).

VIN # 0985

[BJ.Doman]

The only thing besides the name that changed is the icon for the oil remaining.

[Slapshot28]

I did test a remote start and it only took about 12 seconds versus the normal 60+ seconds. Although, I don't trust that will last because the last iPhone update of the OnStar app worked faster for a short while before it went back to minute plus for commands to complete.

My impression is that communication between the OnStar app and the Volt is via SMS text messaging. Text-message delays vary quite a bit, usually from a few seconds to a minute or more. Also, this communication may involve a handshake (say, for security), so two or three messsages may have to go back and forth. I think this also explains why it takes quite a few seconds to retrieve up-to-date status information from the Volt, either to a smartphone or to the website.

[Rusty]

My impression is that communication between the OnStar app and the Volt is via SMS text messaging.

My bet is for an SMS "ET phone home" message, with the bulk of the security and data retrieval done via an IP data connection. I'd sure hate to do a Diffie-Hellman over SMS. And DH over a connectionless interface would require an HMAC bigger than an SMS message would enjoy.

At least I hope there's data security and integrity in the GM message protocol...

I'd sure love to find a USB connection to the OnStar device. But for that matter, anyone with a Verizon phone and appropriate diagnostic software (such as QXDM) could monitor the paging channel for messages to the car. You'd just need to know the IMSI.

[scottf200]

Mike could probably tell you --- from his page http://crichton.sacknet.org/volt/

I've written some code to interface with the OnStar webservice interface used for the iPhone/android apps.

In the thread about his tool he mentioned they may be changing their method for security and the API (he meet with OnStar folks) "Yeah, most likely a system where an app developer can redirect you to an onstar server for authentication, then onstar can pass the developer back a token without the developer having to see the credentials."

UPDATE: Excellent point by Rusty in the next thread.

[Rusty]

I presume the iPhone/iPad/Android apps never talk directly to the car, and only talk to the car through the application servers. So Scott I think we're talking two different security realms (user app to server, and server to car).

I presume the user app to server interfaces are reasonably zippy enough (they should at least not be significantly communications limited). I'm presuming the OnStar server to car interface is the limited one I'm talking about here.

[Bob_Livonia]

I did test a remote start and it only took about 12 seconds versus the normal 60+ seconds. Although, I don't trust that will last because the last iPhone update of the OnStar app worked faster for a short while before it went back to minute plus for commands to complete.

Not sure about the Volt, but past versions of OnStar had a delay, even after the advisor on the phone said they would unlock the doors for you. The reason is that OnStar "goes to sleep" when the vehicle is parked so it doesn't run down the (small) 12 volt battery (needed to power the electronics, so the Volt can start). Doesn't seem like much, but think of a car parked for weeks at the airport, or not driven in the winter. With the car parked, the contactors are open, so the high-voltage battery is not charging the 12 V battery via the DC/DC converter. So the onboard OnStar module would power up briefly every minute or 2 - think of turning your cell phone to airplane mode than back to receive calls again. The OnStar server keeps trying until the vehicle's OnStar wakes up every minute or two. In the past, the longer the vehicle sat, the less frequently it would wake up the phone connection.