OnStar 4G LTE will be integrated into select 2015 model year Buicks beginning this summer with a full rollout across the line expected for 2016. Vehicles will also be able to function as Wi-Fi hotspots that will allow up to seven different devices to stay connected at the same time.
The 2015 Buick Regal, Lacrosse, Verano, and Encore will all have OnStar 4G LTE hardware as a standard feature while the data packages will incur additional charges. Vehicles equipped with this hardware will also feature the new Buick AppShop.
The Buick AppShop will be a part of IntelliLink and will allow connected devices to stream music and download apps through an in-vehicle interface. The initial launch is expected to include iHeartRadio, Priceline.com, the Weather Channel, NPR, Slacker Radio, Cityseeker, Eventseeker, Glympse and Kaliki, with more apps being introduced on a regular basis.
One app being planned for later in 2014 is he Vehicle Health app which will give owners in-vehicle diagnostics reports by pulling data directly from the vehicle. It will also allow owners the ability to schedule maintenance visits right from their cars.
Data services will be provided through AT&T and will let current AT&T customers add their vehicle to their existing data plan. Drivers can also opt to pay for their data services directly through OnStar regardless of their other mobile accounts.
Pricing and available data packages for OnStar 4G LTE will be announced later this year.
Check out our 2014 Buick Regal GS vs Lacrosse 0-60 MPH Mashup Review…
Nicole Wakelin fell in love with cars as a teenager when she got to go for a ride in a Ferrari. It was red and it was fast and that was all that mattered. Game over. She considers things a bit more carefully now, but still has a weakness for fast, beautiful cars. Nicole also writes for NerdApproved and GeekMom.
