The battle is on between General Motors Co.’s (GM) OnStar and Ford Motor Co.’s Sync. The following year, GM's OnStar will pose tough competition against Ford’s Sync because OnStar may provide free services. OnStar will rival Ford's Sync, which is a “music and information system.”
GM’s in-car system is “a subscription service that provides accident alerts, directions and vehicle diagnostics.” The improved, upgraded OnStar system will threaten Sync livelihood because it will connect cars to online social networking websites like Facebook and will have a voice-to-text system. OnStar may also link a consumer’s Smartphone to “entertainment and information services” for free. With the significant rise of the use of Smartphones, the auto industry needs to cater to those that have them. OnStar’s new system will attract the tech-savvy, young generation and people in the professional world.
The computer-generation will be keen on the ability to access social networks sites and music on OnStar. This competition between GM and Ford will encourage all manufactures to provide technology to please customers by providing the ability to access music, GPS and internet social networks. The availability of these technologies will play a key role in determining which device a consumer will purchase. Will systems, like OnStar’s updated version, be a must-have in new cars for future generations? Will having social networking sites available to access be too much of a distraction?
Irene Kalis
Although this is a very technological advance in auto information and entertainment, I think that it is starting to become companies problem that the world is so connected. Is it really necessary for someone to be able to change their Facebook status, while driving? I don't know if people remember, but there was a time when there was no Facebook and even no cell phone and people still survived. But, the auto industry cares about attracting new customers, and a good way to do that is by adding an already extremely successful business, into the car.
ReplyDeleteDavid Kabakow
Irene, please include some of your own thoughts on the article next time.
ReplyDeleteDavid, of course people survive. It is not about necessities anymore. It is all about pleasure and luxury.