14 DAY TRIAL // The idea of incorporating a GPS navigation system/Bluetooth speakerphone right within a vehicle's rear-view mirror is not exactly a major novelty, but it seems that OnStar has taken things to a whole new level with their brand-new OnStar FMV device.
It's interesting to note that OnStar, the company manufacturing this interesting all-in-one car accessory, has already entered a very lucrative partnership with General Motors, following which these systems will be integrated in the latest Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles to make their way onto the market.
Although it might look like a slightly teched-up rear-view mirror at a first sight, the truth of the matter is that the FMV offers plenty of interesting features, including here an external microphone, as well as a built-in GPS receiver.
Moreover, the device also offers a comprehensive navigation solution, providing fast and easy turn-by-turn spoken driving instructions that will allow drivers to reach their desired destination by simply speaking the address.
Plus, a built-in Bluetooth module will allow users to easily pair the mirror with their own smartphones, in order to take calls.
Additional features provided by the OnStar FMV solution include access to the OnStar Automatic Crash Response system, triggered by an accelerometer in the OnStar FMV mirror, that will dispatch a distress call should the vehicle be involved in some sort of incident, as well as Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance and Roadside assistance, both of which might really come in handy, at some point.
Last, but certainly not least, we'll also have to mention that the OnStar FMV is not exactly cheap, but not particularly affordable, either, given the fact that it sells for somewhere in the vicinity of 299 US dollars, to which users will have to add an extra 100 US dollars for the installation, plus the cost of the service plan, ranging from 18.95 a month to $199 a year.