Comments on: GM’s OnStar – Fading Out For Some In 2008 http://blog.motorists.org/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/ News For Drivers Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:32:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Talladega http://blog.motorists.org/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-11001 Talladega Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:51:27 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/technology/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/#comment-11001 Good, OnStar is an invasion of privacy and I wouldn't want some Big Brother tracking system in my ride anyway. Good, OnStar is an invasion of privacy and I wouldn’t want some Big Brother tracking system in my ride anyway.

]]> By: MICHAEL WILLISTON http://blog.motorists.org/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8345 MICHAEL WILLISTON Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:54:40 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/technology/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/#comment-8345 Gm onstar should give us a refund on the older onstar equipment for the new car first owners on all not upgradable vehicles and some kind of equipment change for to remove the onstar equipment replace it with something to make the vehicle run without the onstar equipment since the outdated onstar equipment drains down the power of the vehicle battery when not in use. Gm onstar should give us a refund on the older onstar equipment for the new car first owners on all not upgradable vehicles and some kind of equipment change for to remove the onstar equipment replace it with something to make the vehicle run without the onstar equipment since the outdated onstar equipment drains down the power of the vehicle battery when not in use.

]]> By: JOE http://blog.motorists.org/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-4846 JOE Sun, 04 May 2008 18:31:18 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/technology/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/#comment-4846 While I don't know much about that particular system I do work bench electronics (aviation) and I'm sure your correct. My concern is it's potential for abuse with some slight engineering changes along with changes in the law that our congress seem to be all too willing to go along with. There's no reason to believe this system couldn't be modified to implement monitoring. While this my seem far fetched look at what some states are trying right now with Real ID. This being a ID that will be required by all in the near future. And we used to criticize the former Soviet Union. Some states are placing RFID devices embedded within the drivers license (Real ID). Some say readable up to 30 feet which could be increased as technology improves. You'll have to keep this in a shielded environment if you don't want to be monitored. This is not paranoia, it's reality. It has to be assumed that our government is intending to "monitor" us in some form or fashion. Where's the limit going to be. With the lack of participation by the citizenry in the legislative process as now exists. That's what's so scary about all this stuff. Some states are refusing to implement Real ID for a variety of reasons, despite what they may say mostly because of cost, not privacy concerns. Look at how our privacy has been so eroded in recent years and there's no reason to believe that won't continue. Congressional hearings have recently been conducted on this matter so if you don't like what your hearing....better contact your elected officials NOW. While I don’t know much about that particular system I do work bench electronics (aviation) and I’m sure your correct. My concern is it’s potential for abuse with some slight engineering changes along with changes in the law that our congress seem to be all too willing to go along with. There’s no reason to believe this system couldn’t be modified to implement monitoring. While this my seem far fetched look at what some states are trying right now with Real ID.

This being a ID that will be required by all in the near future. And we used to criticize the former Soviet Union. Some states are placing RFID devices embedded within the drivers license (Real ID). Some say readable up to 30 feet which could be increased as technology improves. You’ll have to keep this in a shielded environment if you don’t want to be monitored. This is not paranoia, it’s reality. It has to be assumed that our government is intending to “monitor” us in some form or fashion. Where’s the limit going to be. With the lack of participation by the citizenry in the legislative process as now exists. That’s what’s so scary about all this stuff. Some states are refusing to implement Real ID for a variety of reasons, despite what they may say mostly because of cost, not privacy concerns. Look at how our privacy has been so eroded in recent years and there’s no reason to believe that won’t continue. Congressional hearings have recently been conducted on this matter so if you don’t like what your hearing….better contact your elected officials NOW.

]]> By: Thomas http://blog.motorists.org/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-4844 Thomas Sat, 03 May 2008 17:44:33 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/technology/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/#comment-4844 Oh, and as for the Analogue to Digital upgrades.. Want to know how GM feels about that? Basically Jason Moore's comment of "buy a new one" is how they feel. Basically they say, "Oh, bought your car in 2000 and now the OnStar doesn't work? Well, sucks to be you, come buy a brand new vehicle!" Oh, and as for the Analogue to Digital upgrades.. Want to know how GM feels about that? Basically Jason Moore’s comment of “buy a new one” is how they feel. Basically they say, “Oh, bought your car in 2000 and now the OnStar doesn’t work? Well, sucks to be you, come buy a brand new vehicle!”

]]> By: Thomas http://blog.motorists.org/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-4843 Thomas Sat, 03 May 2008 17:39:03 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/technology/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/#comment-4843 OK, I used to work for OnStar so I'll clear a couple things up.. First off, nobody is spying on you in your car. They can see your location only when you call OnStar, and they only see the location that you were at when you called in, they can't see where you are going or follow along while your driving or anything like that. And the reason why they can see where you are? Well.. if you ever crash and don't know where you are, or you are unconscious or something, OnStar will know where you are and be able to send police, ambulance, etc. to your location. Make sense? Now, Randy, you seem waaaaay to paranoid. You think OnStar is listening to your private conversations? How, might I ask? The only way that would be possible is if you called OnStar, and then decided to have a private conversation while the advisor was still on the line, which would just be stupid on your part. And they also have no way of tracking phone calls you make, or who you call, etc. They do not even keep track of that, and even if you called in requesting that information, they would have no way to be able to find it and give it to you. As for the minutes being too expensive? $14.99 US for 130 minutes, good for one year with no long distance or roaming fees is too much? OK, the $14.99 deal is only available to you once, but after that its only $39.99 for 100 minutes good for one year. That's not very much..it equals about $3.33 per month. Wow! And I think Jason Moore is just on crack, like many other GM employees so I won't even get started on his comment.. Now once again, I USED to work for OnStar. A a matter of fact I quit because it's such a stupid place to work, so I have nothing to gain by all this.. I'm just telling you how it is :) OK, I used to work for OnStar so I’ll clear a couple things up..
First off, nobody is spying on you in your car. They can see your location only when you call OnStar, and they only see the location that you were at when you called in, they can’t see where you are going or follow along while your driving or anything like that. And the reason why they can see where you are? Well.. if you ever crash and don’t know where you are, or you are unconscious or something, OnStar will know where you are and be able to send police, ambulance, etc. to your location. Make sense?

Now, Randy, you seem waaaaay to paranoid. You think OnStar is listening to your private conversations? How, might I ask? The only way that would be possible is if you called OnStar, and then decided to have a private conversation while the advisor was still on the line, which would just be stupid on your part. And they also have no way of tracking phone calls you make, or who you call, etc. They do not even keep track of that, and even if you called in requesting that information, they would have no way to be able to find it and give it to you.

As for the minutes being too expensive? $14.99 US for 130 minutes, good for one year with no long distance or roaming fees is too much? OK, the $14.99 deal is only available to you once, but after that its only $39.99 for 100 minutes good for one year. That’s not very much..it equals about $3.33 per month. Wow!

And I think Jason Moore is just on crack, like many other GM employees so I won’t even get started on his comment..

Now once again, I USED to work for OnStar. A a matter of fact I quit because it’s such a stupid place to work, so I have nothing to gain by all this.. I’m just telling you how it is :)

]]> By: Helen http://blog.motorists.org/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3813 Helen Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:48:32 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/technology/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/#comment-3813 I think the OnStar calling system is a fine idea - however the cost of the minutes is "highway" robbery. Most cell phone plans now have very affordable anytime anywhere minutes - except OnStar. I've let my OnStar calling lapse and am much happier pulling to the side of the road to make a call on my cell phone than being overcharged by OnStar. I think the OnStar calling system is a fine idea – however the cost of the minutes is “highway” robbery. Most cell phone plans now have very affordable anytime anywhere minutes – except OnStar. I’ve let my OnStar calling lapse and am much happier pulling to the side of the road to make a call on my cell phone than being overcharged by OnStar.

]]> By: Can You Hear Me Now? No. - GigaOM http://blog.motorists.org/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-3022 Can You Hear Me Now? No. - GigaOM Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:00:54 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/technology/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/#comment-3022 [...] recent example was the shutdown in February of U.S. analog networks that left subscribers to GM’s OnStar systems whose cars were sold after 2004 unable to upgrade their radios. In the Midwest, Illinois [...] [...] recent example was the shutdown in February of U.S. analog networks that left subscribers to GM’s OnStar systems whose cars were sold after 2004 unable to upgrade their radios. In the Midwest, Illinois [...]

]]> By: john http://blog.motorists.org/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-1608 john Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:06:31 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/technology/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/#comment-1608 you screwed the people who got your system up and running this is the thanks we get you screwed the people who got your system up and running this is the thanks we get

]]> By: Lionheart http://blog.motorists.org/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-1191 Lionheart Sat, 29 Dec 2007 23:17:25 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/technology/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/#comment-1191 I have an 2004 American Coach Motor Home, that when it was Made New it came equiped with the Onstar system (Analog), and I need to know where to get the conversion kit for my Motor Home to (Dgital) Can any one tell me where I can get this Kit. I have an 2004 American Coach Motor Home, that when it was Made New it came equiped with the Onstar system (Analog), and I need to know where to get the conversion kit for my Motor Home to (Dgital) Can any one tell me where I can get this Kit.

]]> By: Bennie http://blog.motorists.org/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-1153 Bennie Thu, 27 Dec 2007 18:34:05 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/technology/gms-onstar-fading-out-for-some-in-2008/#comment-1153 Fear not to those of you who have Onstar. I have a 2002 Alvanche and I have found onstar useful. Getting lost in West Virginia at night was not fun, but they go me out and home. Being dressed in a suit and having a flat tire and having someone come out to fix it was great. Today I heard of several companies who are working to upgrade the system even for older cars. There must be 2 million or more cars and customers who still use and want the service without buying a new car. My works fine, why spend more money to fix some thing that's not broke. Fear not to those of you who have Onstar. I have a 2002 Alvanche and I have found onstar useful. Getting lost in West Virginia at night was not fun, but they go me out and home. Being dressed in a suit and having a flat tire and having someone come out to fix it was great. Today I heard of several companies who are working to upgrade the system even for older cars. There must be 2 million or more cars and customers who still use and want the service without buying a new car. My works fine, why spend more money to fix some thing that’s not broke.

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