Skip to main content

GM releases mobile app that unlocks your car, honks

The myChevrolet and OnStar MyLink applications, available as free downloads, provide drivers with connectivity to their vehicles from their Android or Apple iPhone device.

myChevrolet integrates with the OnStar MyLink app to access exclusive OnStar technologies. Through OnStar’s unique connection to the vehicle, owners can send remote vehicle commands such as unlocking or locking the doors, and starting the engine, perfect for those in cooler climates.

Recommended Videos

In addition, owners can assess the health of their vehicle by accessing key diagnostic information, including fuel tank level and range, remaining oil life, current and recommended tire pressure and lifetime average miles per gallon. The diagnostic information is current as of the last vehicle start, giving OnStar subscribers an up-to-date health report of their vehicle anytime they need it.

“This is a great example of how we are focusing on smart technologies that address customers’ needs,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “With myChevrolet and Onstar MyLink apps, customers can search their owners’ manual, find their parking spot, and even unlock their car – right from their phone.”

And no need to worry about where you parked the car. The location-based services include a parking reminder that allows drivers to save their parking location to a GPS-enabled map, set a timer to track how much time they have on the parking meter, and even add a note or photo with details about their parking location. If they return to a flat tire, the driver can use the app to request roadside assistance or to locate the closest Chevrolet dealership and schedule a service appointment.

Vehicle-specific information is accessible after scanning the vehicle identification number using the smart-phone camera. These features include searchable content for the most-commonly accessed information in the owner’s manual, such as directions saving radio presets. The app also provides explanations of warning lights and indicators on the vehicle instrument panel at the touch of a button.

We’re excited to see how this takes off and if we’ll see more car manufacturers developing similar apps.

Laura Khalil
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Laura is a tech reporter for Digital Trends, the editor of Dorkbyte and a science blogger for PBS. She's been named one of…
MKBHD released a wallpaper app, and it’s getting destroyed
A screenshot of the Panels app.

Marques Brownlee, better known as MKBHD, is a popular tech YouTuber who focuses heavily on mobile content. He just released a new wallpaper app called Panels for iOS and Android that features real artists, not AI. But there's a problem: the app is getting demolished on social media.

Brownlee first announced the app on X. At the time of writing, the post (a tweet? Xeet? Who knows anymore?) has 1.6K comments, over 1.7K reposts, and over 13K likes. Despite this, the sentiment in the comment section is far from positive.

Read more
How one phone app uses your voice to detect high blood pressure
The Voice Memos app running on an iPhone 14 Pro.

The wearable segment is at a standstill right now because companies have apparently run out of sensor innovation. Microfluidics and stretchable electronics have recently emerged as hotbeds for cutting-edge wearable research, but those promising papers have yet to see commercial success.

Klick Labs, on the other hand, is looking at voice recordings as the next goldmine for biomarkers. Imagine using voice recordings from a smartphone as a monitoring tool for Type 2 diabetes or voice clips to assess glucose levels. It sounds rather factastical, but that’s what the team has been working on, and with encouraging results.

Read more
Charging your iPhone in your car is about to get a lot easier
Scosche MagicMount Charge Elite mount.

Scosche is a well-regarded name in the car accessories world. It specializes in gear for smartphones and audio, as well as even wellness accessories such as a heart rate sensing band. At IFA 2024, the company is adding two new smartphone accessories to its portfolio that use the charging power of Qi2 technology.

The first fresh addition is the MagicMount Charge Pro, which is up for grabs in two mounting options. You can pick between a Window/Dash format or get the Dash/Vent configuration. The former boosts stability by adopting a center balance design. The mounting head is equipped with an integrated ball joint that lets users freely adjust the phone for the best screen viewing experience.

Read more