GM testing voice command to update Facebook status

[didymus]

The Seattle Times:

**GM testing voice command to update Facebook status **

General Motors Co. is testing software that would let drivers talk to their cars to update status messages on the Facebook social media website, as well as listen to Facebook messages, the company said Wednesday.
The verbal updates would be made through GM’s OnStar safety network and are part of the automaker’s effort to use the OnStar brand to better compete with rival Ford Motor Co. in auto information and entertainment.

GM also is testing a feature that would read cellular telephone text messages to drivers and allow them to respond by picking one of four preset replies with a button on the steering wheel, GM said in a statement.
GM won’t say when the features might make their way into its vehicles, but spokeswoman Jocelyn Allen said they must be evaluated thoroughly to make sure they don’t distract drivers from paying attention to the road.

Yeah, right. So why even bother? Of course it’s going to distract drivers!

Cars should come with black (actually orange) boxes like planes to record what’s going on in the cockpit. If a driver is found to have been texting, talking on a cell phone (even a hands-free) or, Heaven help us, checking their Facebook that would be prima facie evidence of DWAI.

 

[mpernot]

Yeah, right. So why even bother? Of course it’s going to distract drivers!

Cars should come with black (actually orange) boxes like planes to record what’s going on in the cockpit. If a driver is found to have been texting, talking on a cell phone (even a hands-free) or, Heaven help us, checking their Facebook that would be prima facie evidence of DWAI.

I don’t disagree at all, but as a GM employee I can say that we only work on things that people want to have in their vehicles…

 

[bbarrick8383]

I don’t disagree at all, but as a GM employee I can say that we only work on things that people want to have in their vehicles…

I’m curious, where was the test market for what people want in their vehicles?

The local mall food court?

 

[mpernot]

I’m curious, where was the test market for what people want in their vehicles?

The local mall food court?

I have no idea, I’m an engineer in the fuel cell group and don’t have any contact with the OnStar folks. But people in the food court buy cars too, we’d be foolish if we didn’t talk to them.

I actually agree with the OP 100% (I don’t even have a facebook account, let alone a desire to update one while driving). My comment was only a reminder that car companies build vehicles that they think people will buy, we don’t get to work on whatever we want.

 

[bbarrick8383]

I have no idea, I’m an engineer in the fuel cell group and don’t have any contact with the OnStar folks. But people in the food court buy cars too, we’d be foolish if we didn’t talk to them.

I actually agree with the OP 100% (I don’t even have a facebook account, let alone a desire to update one while driving). My comment was only a reminder that car companies build vehicles that they think people will buy, we don’t get to work on whatever we want.

I was just being facetious. It was the only place I could think of that a bunch of teenagers filling out a survey asking what they would like to see in their Chevy Cobalt would likely be hanging out.

If this survey was done in the age range of people most likely to buy a new car, say 25 to 60, just a guess. And this was the response…to update facebook while driving down the road. I’d be shocked. 5 to 10 years and facebook will be where Myspace is now, and they will all end up with Geocities as what was the cool thing to do.

 

[mpernot]

I was just being facetious. It was the only place I could think of that a bunch of teenagers filling out a survey asking what they would like to see in their Chevy Cobalt would likely be hanging out.

If this survey was done in the age range of people most likely to buy a new car, say 25 to 60, just a guess. And this was the response…to update facebook while driving down the road. I’d be shocked. 5 to 10 years and facebook will be where Myspace is now, and they will all end up with Geocities as what was the cool thing to do.

No that’s cool, I had a feeling you were, but at the same time it is a very good question. If GM built cars exactly the way I personally like them I’m not so sure we’d sell many, so it does depend on who you ask. Then again, I’m 27 and I choose not to have a facebook page so they’d probably throw my vote out.

I’ll likely never be able to fully appreciate what goes into the car companies’ vehicle/option portfolio decisions, and I’m OK with that.