It seems General Motors is often intent on doing its own thing when nearly everybody else is doing otherwise. Such seems to be the case with its OnStar phone system.

It seems General Motors is often intent on doing its own thing when nearly everybody else is doing otherwise. Such seems to be the case with its OnStar phone system.

When the rest of the automotive industry is adopting Bluetooth technology for their cars which seamlessly integrates with any Bluetooth-enabled cell phone, GM is stubbornly pushing its considerably more expensive OnStar phone system. For instance, 500 minutes is a whopping $174.99 using OnStar, and 1,000 minutes cost a staggering $299.99. The only other option offered is a link to your existing Verizon Wireless account.

So what if you happen to be a Cingular, Sprint, or T-Mobile subscriber? Tough luck, I guess. Since GM is not offering Bluetooth in any of its U.S.-market vehicles, you’ll have to purchase an aftermarket adapter and get it installed, or simply have to keep one hand constantly off the wheel and stuck to your phone. Either that, or have one of those obnoxious little Bluetooth earpieces.

Even Ford, often times a late-adopter in the automotive world, has hopped on board the mobile electronics bandwagon with its new Sync interface. No matter how good the OnStar interface is, consumers will always want freedom of choice, and they’re SOL if they’re not a Verizon or OnStar subscriber.

- Edward A. Sanchez