Now anybody can have OnStar-like, on-demand, in-car service with a new product from Verizon. Although most modern cars will already have services such as these already installed as a major selling point, older cars are out-of-luck when they hunker down and owners are left to fend for themselves to call for help or figure out what is wrong with their vehicle.
But Verizon's Hum (previously announced this year as "Verizon Vehicle") is the solution for cars built in 1996 and onwards (except for electrics and diesel engines). Hum is a two-piece system that Verizon will sell bundled with a phone app and monthly plan that costs $15 a month on a two-year contract.
The device will turn any car into a connected smart car by giving it capabilities very similar to OnStar such as theft reports, fuel economy, car health, GPS and emergency services. The Bluetooth speaker, which can attach to a visor, will also allow drivers to take hands-free calls.
According to reports, the app that will come with Hum will work on both Android and iOS devices. It will allow users to get notifications about errors that Hum diagnoses about the car along with the approximate price ranges for repairs for those problems.
For those who always seem to forget where they park their car, Hum can also help you locate your vehicle using your phone, which will also help you and Hum's customer service reps track the car if it gets stolen.
Although there are similar devices already on the market, sch as Automatic or Vinli, which have more and better features sch as integration with IFTTT and Next, Verizon seems to have positioned Hum to appeal to the average user using its trusted name brand.
So if you've got an old clunker but want some extra security that Hum brings (roadside assistance, automatic 911 calling if you're unresponsive in an accident), then this may be an affordable solution for you.
