Android Wear App Lets You Control Your Tesla

You have your shiny new Tesla Model S sitting in your driveway, and you have even added that way cool lighted Tesla logo to the trunk lid. What else can you do to set yourself apart from every other Tom, Dick and Elon out there?

How about an app that lets you control your Tesla from your wrist?

Android Wear has just the gadget for you. It’s called Tesla Command for Android Wear app, and it’s available free at the Play Store reports 9 to 5 Google. You can tap to lock or unlock your car, open and close the sunroof, flash the lights or beep the horn. Imagine how excited your friends will be when your Tesla’s door handles slide in and out at the touch of a button on your wrist!

Check out the video below for a demo of the app.

Source: Google

Nissan North America Releases Android App for Leaf Electric Car

Nissan Carwings App for Android OS

Ever since the launch of the 2011 Nissan Leaf, owners have been able to remotely access information about their car’s state of charge, estimated range and even pre-heat or cool the cabin using Nissan’s built-in telematics service - Carwings.

But unless you happened to own an iPhone in addition to your Nissan Leaf, the only way you could control your car remotely was via Nissan’s clunky -- and sometimes buggy -- website.

Now anyone with an Android smartphone can join in the party, with the newly released Nissan Leaf app for Android OS devices.

Listed on various Android application directory sites, the free application offers the same functionality as its iPhone sibling, but with a slightly redesigned interface, with tabs at the top rather than the bottom of the screen.

We’ve not had a chance to test out the application, but owners over at mynissanleaf.com are reporting success with both installing and running the program.

2011 Nissan Leaf

Enlarge Photo

As with any app however, some users are reporting a few errors with certain Android-powered tablets running Honeycomb 3.0 and with other android devices running OS versions earlier than Donut 1.6

Theses few problems aside, we’re glad to see Nissan release a smartphone version of its carwings app for Android devices.

Google, the multi-national software and search engine giant responsible for the Android operating system - is known for its love of plug-in cars. It seems only fitting that its mobile operating system gets a version of the Carwings app for the Nissan Leaf.

If you have a smartphone or tablet device running Android and you own a Nissan Leaf, you’ll want to check out the application for yourself. It’s free and can be downloaded here, but users outside of the U.S. should note that the version released is a localized version specific to the U.S. Regionalized versions for other countries with the Nissan Leaf should follow shortly.

Source: All Cars Electric

OnStar Leverages Google technology to Connect Customers to the Chevrolet Volt

Press Release:

Detroit – OnStar is leveraging the power of Google technology to develop a number of new mobile app features that strengthen Chevrolet’s commitment to providing Volt customers with the most connected vehicle experience possible.

The public will get a peek at what OnStar is working on at the Google I/O conference May 19-20 in San Francisco, CA, where OnStar will debut and demonstrate new functionalities they’re developing for the Chevrolet Volt mobile application leveraging the AndroidTM platform.

“While OnStar will never lose sight of our core focus on safety and security, this relationship is an example of how we’re evolving our leadership position in connected vehicle technology,” said Chris Preuss, OnStar president. “What we’re talking about today is only the beginning.”

A new “navigation” tab has been added to the home screen of the existing Chevrolet Volt mobile app on the Android smartphone. When a Volt owner presses this tab, they will be able to see the current location of their Volt pinpointed on Google MapsTM , as well as their location relative to it.

From this map screen, owners can use Google search by voice to vocally search for a destination with their Android handset, and see where that destination is related to the Volt’s current location. They can then elect to send the destination from their Android phone to their Volt and have OnStar Turn-By-Turn directions to their destination waiting for them when they start the vehicle. Additionally, the owner will also have the option to get voice-guided directions to their vehicle from their current location, using Google Maps Navigation.

The new functionalities won’t be available on the Volt mobile app at launch, but are planned for a 2.0 version.

The smartphone mobile application for the Chevrolet Volt made its debut at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show and is planned to launch in tandem with the Volt this fall. Launch features include:

· Charge status display – plugged in or not and voltage (120V or 240V)

· Flexibility to “Charge Now” or schedule charge timing

· Display percentage of battery charge level, electric and total ranges

· Ability to manually set grid-friendly charge mode for off-peak times when electricity rates are lowest

· Send text or email notifications for charge reminders, interruptions and full charge

· Display miles per gallon, electric only miles, and odometer readings

· Shows miles per gallon, EV miles and miles driven for last trip and lifetime

· Remotely start the vehicle to pre-condition the interior temperature

“These two new features add to the suite of mobile application features for Volt that given Volt owners a personal connection to their car,” said Tony DiSalle, Chevrolet Volt marketing director. “Connecting customers to their cars is one way we’re using technology to provide value and a real useful benefit to the Volt owner.”

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About General Motors

General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 217,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, FAW, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.