GM announce Facebook for your car

[csv8]

OMG: Facebook comes to the car
Richard Blackburn
September 15, 2010


GM have teamed up with OnStar to provide Facebook access for cars.

A US company is developing technology that allows drivers to use Facebook on the run.

Drivers in the United States will soon be able to update their Facebook page while they are driving.

The developers of the new technology say it won’t unduly distract drivers because the updates will be voice-activated.

OnStar, the technology arm of General Motors, says the new system would allow Facebook users to verbally update their Facebook status and listen to news-feed messages.


Drivers will also be able to compose voice-based SMS messages and have text messages read to them via Bluetooth.

They can then press a button on the steering wheel and reply to the messages by verbally selecting a pre-set response.

The new system is one of many being developed by car makers to connect with the digital generation. BMW is offering internet access on its top-of-the-line 7-Series, while Mercedes-Benz has developed a wireless hotspot for its E-Class and S-Class sedans.

OnStar says the technology is being developed under the banner of “responsible connectivity”, with special attention paid to not diverting the driver’s eyes from the road ahead.

But some studies have found that even “hands-free” applications have the potential to distract drivers.

OnStar will also develop a series of applications for smartphones that will perform the various functions usually found on a keyfob, remotely opening doors and turning on air-conditioning or heating systems.

The company has asked university students to help design the technology and develop applications to keep them connected on the road.

[mrbaxr6t]

asif there isn't already plenty of incar gadgets to keep oneself entertained, altho I can see GEN Y loving this given they text each other about 50 times per minute...

[GTJOHN]

Wow , great technology and all...
But seriouslly, are people that into facebook that they wont be able to wait to get to
work or home for updating this crap ???.....
Drivers need less distractions whilst driving not more...and facebook ???....far out , maybe im missing something, but is updating facebook that critical ???

[JerseyVics]

if there is one thing my Chevy Impala needs the most, its definitely live Facebook (rolleyes)

[dannyhilton]

Christ, do we need facebook that much? Soon we'll have status like this thanks to Voice Activation...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSHco...eature=related

[g220ba]

are people really that into this rubbish they need it in their car. What could possibly be that important that it can't wait.

For the record i don't have a facebook account and i never will. I don't feel a need to share every aspect of my life with the entire world, especially while driving.

[mik]

maybe i`m old fashioned, l like driving in comfort and driving gadgets up to a some level, but it is there a cut off point?................what`s next microwave oven?

[tweeked]

Why?

The first documented facebook crash will be a bit like the Holy Grail - "Arrgghhh....he must have died while carving it"

[mrbaxr6t]

I later remembered the simpsons episode where homer had all manner of gadgets in his car, television, microwave oven and all kinds of other stuff iirc he was watching a cooking show on the television in his car and was cooking something, that is until he ran into some water off a pier and TBH if you REALLY need facebook in a car hello IPHONE (Gave this more thought after original post I was in a hurry)

[Jason[98.EL]]

great to see that gm have public safety in mind

i really hope ford dont follow them on such a numbnut idea

Jason

[Ryan]

I'm all for technology that helps the driving experience, but I don't see the point of this at all.

As others have said is it really that important to have while you're driving?

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by GTJOHN

Wow , great technology and all...
But seriouslly, are people that into facebook that they wont be able to wait to get to
work or home for updating this crap ???.....
Drivers need less distractions whilst driving not more...and facebook ???....far out , maybe im missing something, but is updating facebook that critical ???

That about sums it up, could not have said it better.

Perhaps my profile says something about my attitude on this.

[Falcman0o7]

DUMB! DUMB! and mega DUMB!

I know a woman that sits at a red light because of FB. I think alot of road accidents are caused though texting on mobiles!!!

[ST]

Apart from the obvious reasons stated above it's not even necessary when it comes free with every mobile phone.

[Tribal]

First thing that come into my mind...

[AussieAV]

I can't believe how dependant people are becoming on the internet to allow them to interact with other people. This is really starting to P me off. I'm glad I have you guys to vent to otherwise I.................... oh crap, self realisation kicking in


Serioulsy though, caught myself using the steering wheel controls on the FG to choose a song on the iPod. Then realised how long I'd been looking at the screen to choose a song, and not on the road. Only a few extra seconds, but it scared me a little that I would allow myself to get so easily distracted.

New toys will distract you. This sort of thing is only going to make it even worse. I see a lot of class action law suits in car makers' futures.

[saam]

forget facebook, it would be much better if we all had this site in our cars.........so whenever someone breaks down, their would always be someone online to give a helping hand

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by saam

forget facebook, it would be much better if we all had this site in our cars.........so whenever someone breaks down, their would always be someone online to give a helping hand

Awesome idea, that would be so good. Then we could give real time, accurate opinion on here regarding bicycle helmet laws as the cyclists head is hitting our windscreen, "You're right, the helmet did not help this poor bugger".

Like has been said, even voice activated hands free systems are going to be a distraction that is not really needed.

[Mad_Aussie]

[Rodp]

Facebook and driving? I thought the age you obtain a licence corresponded with the age you stopped using Facebook...?

I spent the first 40 years of my life not needing to know whether people I barely know are on the can taking a dump or some other inane activity that's so important you feel compelled to tell the world, I don't need it read out to me while I'm in the car.

[Iggypoppin']

I'm proud of being one of the only 21 year olds in Australia who doesn't have a facebook. I see absolutely no need for it.

[AussieAV]

Originally Posted by geckoGT

Awesome idea, that would be so good. Then we could give real time, accurate opinion on here regarding bicycle helmet laws as the cyclists head is hitting our windscreen, "You're right, the helmet did not help this poor bugger".

Like has been said, even voice activated hands free systems are going to be a distraction that is not really needed.

[Venomous1]

Originally Posted by Iggypoppin'

I'm proud of being one of the only 21 year olds in Australia who doesn't have a facebook. I see absolutely no need for it.

Same here 21 too.

[ltd]

I travel around the USA a lot, catch lots of flights on American Airlines as LA bores me to tears. One thing I notice, is the amount of yanks on their phones. From pushback:
"Yuuuuurrr, like, we're like, you know, like, about to like, take off now. I'll call when we laaaaaaaaaaand".
Then upon exiting the runway the phones go nuts again, and over 200 people simultaneously on a 767-200, all on the phone "Yuuurrrr, we like landed, we're like taxiing to the gaaaaate like, and I'll like be an hour like". Vacuous and vapid moronic robots.

Nope, on second thought this facebook malarki is probably a brilliant strategy for the average American.

[Falcman0o7]

Originally Posted by ltd

I travel around the USA a lot, catch lots of flights on American Airlines as LA bores me to tears. One thing I notice, is the amount of yanks on their phones. From pushback:
"Yuuuuurrr, like, we're like, you know, like, about to like, take off now. I'll call when we laaaaaaaaaaand".
Then upon exiting the runway the phones go nuts again, and over 200 people simultaneously on a 767-200, all on the phone "Yuuurrrr, we like landed, we're like taxiing to the gaaaaate like, and I'll like be an hour like". Vacuous and vapid moronic robots.

Nope, on second thought this facebook malarki is probably a brilliant strategy for the average American.

lmfao!!!!

[b2tf]

Great idea - we already have enough distracted teenage idiots on the road.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Tribal

First thing that come into my mind...

Beat me to it, thats the first thing that came into my head

[My poor XF]

Originally Posted by Venomous1

Same here 21 too.

24 here. Facebook is just not necessary.

[Franco Cozzo]

You guys think this is a lame idea, but you watch, it'll sell like hotcakes for Gen Y.

[mrbaxr6t]

I expressed the homer thing in text, I beat you all, now I'm off to post that you guys ignored me on facebook....