Which OEMs have telematic apps?

[Alex Snyder]

I know Ford, GM, and BMW have mobile apps that can read or control things from outside the vehicle.... who else has them? Also curious as to what you or your customers think of those apps...

For Example:
I have BMW's and I can get it to find my car, but I can't get any other functionality to work from outside the car. And that really kills the usefulness of the app for me because the only feature I want to use is firing up the climate control before I get in the cold or hot car. I have heard the same kind of feedback from other BMW owners, but I'm the only one who keeps the faith that this app will have value one day.

Daimler AG's manager of their connected-car area's response to whether they're building an app is interesting:

No, we deliberately decided against an app. The user accesses all of this information by means of a secure browser. In this way, we have achieved a new level of data integration into the vehicle. Now, a great many other services can be offered, and highly current information can be delivered into the vehicle.

Source: http://www.autonews.com/article/20141110/OEM02/311109999/daimler-exec-cars-will-be-part-of-internet

 

[Alex Snyder]

Reserved Post for listing the manufacturers who engage in telematic mobile apps for consumers.

• Ford
• General Motors
• BMW
• Kia
• Hyundai

 

[Jeff Kershner]

Doe GM has a separate mobile app or would this be managed through a representative via OnStar?

I have a optioned out new Nissan Pathfinder with no telematic app available, BUT apparently they are going to have something moving into 2015 with the Nissan Leaf.

"Nissan LEAF drivers can use web-enabled mobile phones to turn on climate control and set charging functions remotely via the available CARWINGS telematics system" - read more

 

[skeetle]

I know Ford, GM, and BMW have mobile apps that can read or control things from outside the vehicle.... who else has them?

Hyundai has their BlueLink App - you can start your car (as long as it has push-button start) from the app and also set the temperature. You can also lock & unlock the doors from the app.

And you don't have to be within a certain radius of the car for it to work. So I can be in Las Vegas at a conference and turn my car on back home in Pennsylvania.

 

[Alex Snyder]

And you don't have to be within a certain radius of the car for it to work. So I can be in Las Vegas at a conference and turn my car on back home in Pennsylvania.

<------ Jealous

 

[craigh]

And you don't have to be within a certain radius of the car for it to work. So I can be in Las Vegas at a conference and turn my car on back home in Pennsylvania.

<------ Jealous

This is what scares me though. Every year at DefCon they demonstrate how incredibly insecure these systems are.

 

[Jeff Kershner]

Alex I'm sure you were following CES 2015. Many were claiming it as the year of the Smart car. So many manufactures introducing some type of mobile application integration within their vehicles.

http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/13/connected-car-revolution/

Have you seen what Audi has going on? http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/07/the-most-beautiful-tablet-youll-ever-own/

Start your Hyundai from your Samsung watch - http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/02/soon-you-can-start-hyundais-with-an-android-wear-watch/

 

[craigh]

The audi watch blew me away... runs WebOS and everything.