DETROIT-OnStar is working with Verizon Wireless to make it cheaper for OnStar Personal Calling customers to forward calls from a handheld Verizon phone to the OnStar phones embedded in their vehicles.Also, OnStar and Verizon charges will be combined on a single bill.Today customers who...
DETROIT—The recent and well-publicized crackdown on mobile-phone use and driver safety and the official launch of its "personal calling" service prompted OnStar to release last week what it claims is significant proof that using the OnStar system while driving a car does not contribute...
WASHINGTON-After hinting at such legislation all year, Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) last week introduced legislation aimed at protecting the privacy of mobile-phone users."If you have a cell phone in your pocket or OnStar in your car, somebody knows where you are at all times....
Oracle Corp. and Wingcast said they have formed a strategic alliance to develop new wireless telematics applications and services.As part of the alliance, Oracle and Wingcast immediately expect to begin work on a development center in San Diego to create, test and implement telematics...
Despite predictions that Web access would be a highly sought-after feature of telematics services, today's market is demanding more and better safety and security services such as roadside assistance, remote door unlocking and navigation. Leading the way, much as it has since its inception...
This year, the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association's National Wireless Safety Week aptly fell in the midst of heated congressional disputes regarding risks cellular phone use poses to drivers and potential harm created by cell-phone radiation.But rather than focus on the harm wireless devices...
WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission proposed rules that could lead to the eventual end of analog cellular service, a move that could hurt telematics and other security businesses.However, the commission gave itself a number of "outs.""We seek to ensure that eliminating the analog compatibility standard...
NEW YORK -Ten Square, San Jose, Calif., plans to expand its provision of wireless e-commerce services to 2,800 service stations and convenience stores in various cities by year-end.The privately held company, whose lead investor is Marconi Ventures, delivers interactive content to consumers during the...
The Senate Republican Conference will begin offering its recess packets and other information wirelessly to the Palm Pilot VIIs used currently by 11 Republican senators. Avantgo powers the service. The Republican Conference estimates that it costs $1,800 per recess to prepare the issue packets...
If we applied human attributes to mobile location services, they would be in preschool today, learning and acquiring the skills they will need to have a long and successful life in a world where bigger and tougher kids are always around the corner.While still...
MENLO PARK, Calif.-Nuance, a manufacturer of voice interface software, and OnStar, the telematics subsidiary of General Motors Corp., announced OnStar has licensed Nuance's speech recognition software to be used in the OnStar Virtual Advisor.Nuance's software will deliver hands-free, voice-activated access to Internet-based information and...
Alan Greenspan's move to cut interest rates is cause for concern. The economy has slowed. Telecom stocks generally are still in the dumper and third-generation technology is going to be delayed.What can the wireless industry smile about?My family. No one in my family is...
Just as Sprint PCS was quick to offer wireless Web services, the company is jumping head first into the voice-recognition market, signing a new agreement with voice portal provider BeVocal Inc. to test speech-activated applications powered by BeVocal's Total Voice Portal Solution.The BeVocal deal...
DENVER, United States-Qualcomm and Ford Motor Co. perpetuated the marriage between wireless communication and mobility, creating a new company called Wingcast, which will develop and deliver wireless mobility and information services to cars and trucks, and give Qualcomm a means to main line new...
WASHINGTON-While Batman touts the virtues of General Motors Corp.'s OnStar System, the U.S. Department of Transportation has joined with the Communications for Coordinated Assistance and Response to Emergencies (ComCARE) Alliance so if Batman (or anybody else in a telematics-equipped vehicle) is in an accident...
Qualcomm Inc. and Ford Motor Co. perpetuated the marriage between wireless communication and mobility last week, creating a new company called Wingcast, which will develop and deliver wireless mobility and information services to cars and trucks, and give Qualcomm a means to main-line new...
Just yesterday, it seems wireless carriers and resellers were at legal odds in front of the Federal Communications Commission.Resellers fought for mandatory access to carriers' networks, while carriers battled that effort, coming up with a concession that would end mandatory reselling two years from...
TOKYO-Honda Motor Co. Ltd. and OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Corp., have agreed to offer OnStar mobile communications services in Honda and Acura vehicles beginning in the 2002 model year."We are delighted to deliver OnStar's safety, security and information services to...
NORTHBROOK, Ill.-Motorola Inc.'s Integrated Electronics Systems sector, OnStar and Saturn Electronics & Engineering announced they have joined to develop and manufacture telematics devices for General Motors Corp.Under terms of the agreement, the companies said they hope to offer advanced wireless products on virtually every...
NEW YORK-The ongoing fight for dominance of the U.S. wireless market flared up once again last week as Bell Atlantic Corp. and Vodafone AirTouch plc said they will commence this year an initial public offering of Verizon Wireless, the joint venture that combines the...
Telematics services, despite their slow start, are on the cusp of becoming standard features on millions of cars, but the kinds of services that will emerge as the most beneficial and applicable to consumers still remains to be seen."I think the big challenge for...
Another Swedish company soon will be competing for America's wireless business.Satsafe AB, based in Stockholm, said it plans to expand its mobile data communication and global positioning system-based services beyond Europe and enter the U.S. market this year.Since its inception in the spring of...
TROY, Mich.-General Motors said it selected Bell Atlantic Mobile and GTE Wireless to establish a nationwide wireless network to expand OnStar's portfolio of in-vehicle services to include personal calling and access to Internet-based information.Later this year, OnStar subscribers will be able to place personal...
Several telecommunications companies hooked up with auto makers to provide in-vehicle wireless capabilities at last week's 2000 Detroit Auto Show. General Motors Corp. is in talks with Bell Atlantic Corp. to put at least 1 million cellular phones in its vehicles this year.The alliance...
