How It Works: GM's Bluetooth

[nsap]

How It Works: GM's Bluetooth
A quick view of GM's new-for-2009 Bluetooth.
www.gminsidenews.com
September 8, 2008
By: Nsap

Bluetooth connectivity has been the plight of General Motors enthusiasts for about two years now. The Bluetooth cries started trickling into GM back when the luxury marquees started putting it in their vehicles, but the floodgates opened wide when Ford announced that they were going to have their Microsoft-designed SYNC in-car communications system in basically every model within a year. In typical GM fashion, they were late to the in-car Bluetooth connectivity party, but when they arrived, they arrived in full-force it appears.

We assume that one of the main hang-ups for GM with getting Bluetooth was OnStar. Not only would Bluetooth likely cut down on the amount of money-making OnStar calls, but it also proved to be a technical challenge. The interface buttons, such as those on the steering wheel of many models, were for use on the OnStar Personal Calling System. Obviously GM did not want to create an inconvenience by pushing OnStar to the back of the boat by having the interface be for Bluetooth only; leaving customers to use only the OnStar “phone” button on the mirror. Plus the Bluetooth system can utilize the same microphone and sound system input as OnStar.

Their solution: mesh Bluetooth with the OnStar hardware. For 2009, almost every GM vehicle from Cobalt on up have Bluetooth optional or standard. Initially some questions were raised at how well it would work being tied to the OnStar hardware, but reactions so far have been very good.

Once your phone is paired with the car’s Bluetooth system, you perform the following to utilize it. Hold down the “mute” button on the steering wheel and the system says “Ready.” At that point you can say “Dial” to utilize your OnStar minutes or “Bluetooth” to access your device that is paired with the car. Once you are in the Bluetooth menu, you can access your phone’s voice commands by saying “Voice” and make a call using the phone’s phonebook and voice-dialing system. The other option is to say “Call” and read the number digit-by-digit to the system. To hang-up a call you hold down the “seek down” button.

[killerrd2]

When will this be implemented? CY09??

Does that also include the 2009 Pontiac Vibe with OnStar? I haven't seen it listed in any of the press kits for the Vibe.

Thanks NSAP!

[1487]

I dont know how this compares to other systems.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by killerrd2

When will this be implemented? CY09??

Does that also include the 2009 Pontiac Vibe with OnStar? I haven't seen it listed in any of the press kits for the Vibe.

Thanks NSAP!

Any 2009 product that is out and i going to have it, you can buy now.

The Vibe is not included for 2009.

[killerrd2]

That kinda sucks since the Matrix already has Bluetooth when you opt for the JBL sound system. What a bummer.

I guess I'll wait for the Cruze (or the Pontiac version) to come out before I buy a new car.

[kmacleod]

Actually, this is pretty neat to have integrated both. I don't currently have my phone set to voice commands. With a new GM car, this would be a nice touch to have both On Star and Bluetooth as I have a company cell phone.

Ken

[XCR440SP]

So do I read correctly that it uses your phones voice dialing for speed dials? Also I'll be curious to see how this compares to Sync for performance. I've used many systems and most (like Chrysler) have poor voice recognition software. The Sync system is the only one I've used that actually seemed to get everything I said right on the first try every time.

[ChevyOptra5]

I have the bluetooth on my '09 Cobalt and it works great. Same with the USB connectivity for ipods. When you read the number that you want to dial it displays it on the radio. It works exactly like dialing with OnStar except when your phone is paired with the system it uses that to dial rather then onstar. The only thing i've noticed is that when I dial, you don't hear the phone ringing, you hear nothing til somebody says "hello".

[PontiacBixler]

How well does this work with the iPhone? Anyone try it yet?

I would rather just have an iPod connector (not USB) that I can plug my iPhone or other iPods into and use for phone and/or music.

[Rocket 88]

I like On-Star and wish my wife would have bougth a GM car for this feature. That said, Bluetooth is much better then having another phone line with Onstar. If you already have a cell phone the Onstar phone is pretty much just a waste of money. Especially because no one ever calls your onstar number instead of the cell.

If the intergration and choice between the Onstar phone or Bluetooth really works well, its a good move but I can't help but think the Onstar phone is a redundant waste. I'm sure it is only there because GM can make money off it. (which I'm not saying is horrible.. just saying).

Now if only GM would start making Nav widely available. Turn by Turn may work but GM can not dictate what people want. They want Nav systems and they want easy i-pod hookups.

[CamaroCrazy]

I love this technology. I'm dreaming of a 2010/2011 Camaro with this Bluetooth and a Nav system (rumored, I know)

[HiHoSilver]

Originally Posted by Rocket 88

I like On-Star and wish my wife would have bougth a GM car for this feature. That said, Bluetooth is much better then having another phone line with Onstar. If you already have a cell phone the Onstar phone is pretty much just a waste of money. Especially because no one ever calls your onstar number instead of the cell.

If the intergration and choice between the Onstar phone or Bluetooth really works well, its a good move but I can't help but think the Onstar phone is a redundant waste. I'm sure it is only there because GM can make money off it. (which I'm not saying is horrible.. just saying).

Now if only GM would start making Nav widely available. Turn by Turn may work but GM can not dictate what people want. They want Nav systems and they want easy i-pod hookups.

If you have Verizon Wireless and a nationwide calling plan with OnStar it would fit in perfectly. Using the same minutes on your cell phone and the OnStar phone and having one bill - not having to pay extra for OnStar calling minutes. OnStar markets their phone for emergencies, if you leave your cell phone at home or it has a dead battery. Great choices and now bluetooth!

[coaster.n3rd]

The Bluetooth is damn near flawless... However...

Say I want to check my voicemail. I have to enter a password and prompts to check the voicemail. To do this, you have to hit the mute button at the appropriate time to enter the prompt. So you hit the Mute button and the system responds with "ready" you say "dial X the system responds with "OK, dialing X", then enters the prompts. this is time consuming and in some cases you have to do it all over again because the system took too long.

[squat]

I think you're 100% correct about GMs worry that bluetooth connectivity causing fewer onStar subscriptions. That's just something that GM is going to have to live with. Every company would like to charge their existing customers more but when it start to look like they're gonna just nickel and dime all their customers they start to lose customers.

Better to just give people what they want and hope that your market share grows because of that.

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by squat

I think you're 100% correct about GMs worry that bluetooth connectivity causing fewer onStar subscriptions. That's just something that GM is going to have to live with. Every company would like to charge their existing customers more but when it start to look like they're gonna just nickel and dime all their customers they start to lose customers.

Better to just give people what they want and hope that your market share grows because of that.

I agree with this - the first priority should be to sell cars at a profit, not OnStar subscriptions! Subscriptions are nice but shouldn't drive content in such a way that pushes customers to other brands...