GM unlocks RemoteLink for Microsoft Windows phones

When the OnStar RemoteLink Mobile App launched, it was the first app from an automaker to offer drivers remote access to their vehicle. Now RemoteLink can claim the distinction of being the first remote telemetry app from an automaker to work on all four primary smartphone platforms – iPhone, Android, Blackberry and now Microsoft Windows phones. OnStar has expanded the availability of RemoteLink so that GM drivers with select Microsoft Windows phones can start experiencing remote vehicle connectivity. The app is available on both Windows Phone 7 and 8 operating systems, and will be accessible in the Windows Phone Store on mobile devices. “RemoteLink remains one of our subscribers’ most desired OnStar services, so to be able to offer it across all of the major smartphone platforms is a great step for us,” said Steve Schwinke, GM director, Application Development, Global Connected Consumer. “RemoteLink is one of the most-used automotive manufacturer apps in the marketplace and is a great example of what you can do with built-in vehicle connectivity.” Today, the RemoteLink Mobile App, which is available for nearly all GM models, has been downloaded more than 1.7 million times. The most common use of the app is checking vehicle data such as oil life, tire pressure and fuel level. These requests get made nearly 600,000 times every month. RemoteLink for Windows, like the Blackberry version, was written using HTML5 technology. HTML5 is a language for structuring and writing content for the web that is gaining momentum in the mobile app space. The app will be available for OnStar subscribers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico and will support four language options: US English, Canadian English, French Canadian and Spanish. This expansion comes on the heels of the announcement that RemoteLink’s key-fob based features - remote start, lock, unlock and horn and lights activation – would be standard for five years on all new GM vehicles. This launch means that GM drivers with select Windows phones will be able to access RemoteLink key-fob features as well. The five years of standard remote key-fob services does not include access to additional OnStar services. RemoteLink connects to a driver’s vehicle in a secure fashion, requiring a username and password to log in and a four digit PIN to make a remote vehicle command. OnStar subscribers can download the application and visit onstar.com to enable remote commands. Source: media.gm