Hughes Telematics — the Atlanta based company that helped General Motors develop OnStar in the 1990s — has announced that it will launch a system that basically combines the features of OnStar and Ford’s Sync — a technology that allows for voice control of mobile phones and MP3 players — on all 2009 Chrysler and U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz models.
Pricing hasn’t been released for the new service, but should be competitive with OnStar. GM’s service — which doesn’t offer hands-free control of electronic devices — is available in two packages: one for $18.95 a month and the other for $28.95 a month.
However, unlike OnStar, Hughes will also offer the service on a pay-per-use basis. For example, if you only use turn-by-turn navigation a few times a year, you would just push a button in the car to download directions and the system would bill you for the one time use, not an entire month of service. According to the Detroit Free Press, the same kind of pay-to-play program could allow you to download songs or even menus from restaurants.
The system will also feature vehicle diagnostics and what the company calls teen-tracking, a technology that informs the car’s owner if the vehicle is driven above a set speed, goes outside of a certain area or is driven to an off-limits location. The system’s tracking ability will be an opt in feature and can be turned off at the owner’s request.
