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OnStar is going to go all-digital sometime down the road, leaving any analog system users out of luck. The change primarily affects anyone who owns a pre-2002 GM vehicle, some 2002-2004 GM vehicles and some Acura, Audi, Subaru and Volkswagen vehicles with built-in OnStar. It’s a result of a small 2002 FCC decision allowing cell phone companies to shut down analog networks beginning February 2008. Dealers will upgrade some GM 2002-2004 if customers buy a three-year subscription at $199 a year. Otherwise, analog OnStar users will need to convert to digital equipment, if it is even possible for their vehicle. About half of OnStar’s 4 million subscribers still drive vehicles that cannot be upgraded. And, oh yeah, the FCC decision will affect cell phone users, too. At least a cell phone can easily be replaced - Hey, it’s yet another reason to keep readin’ Gadgetell!

UPDATE: Analog OnStar owners furious: Class Action Lawsuit

Read [NY Times] via [Technoride]

What The Future Holds, a column written by Adam Berger, that introduces tomorrow’s technology and trends today, is published on Thursdays.

Heads-up displays or HUDs are a great feature for drivers, especially as the electronics in cars increase exponentially. While many car manufacturers have begun to add full function LCD screens in the center of the dashboard as opposed to having the drive look over to the center console LCD screen (found in BMWs, Audi’s, Mercedes Benz’s and more), there still a safer option.

When introduced by General Motors over 20 years ago, heads-up displays did not take off. Heads-up displays, project information such as speed, turn by turn directions, radio station navigation, and warning lights onto the windshield above the steering wheel; allowing drivers to always look straight ahead. GM started the trend by putting HUDs on Corvettes and a few Buicks. HUDs are easier on older eyes. Safer, too: It takes half as long to shift your focus from the road to an HUD as to look at the instrument panel.

Today GM and other automakers, like BMW, are pushing HUDs even more. You can get multicolored HUDs made by German supplier Siemens, right now in 5- and 6-series Beamers. German supplier Bosch will get its first HUD on the road in 2008. Japanese supplier Denso sells HUDs that give navigation instructions in Japan and is working on a system that creates three-dimensional images. They expect sales to boom to 2 million a year by 2010.

There really is not reason why heads-up displays should not take off, besides cost and the more they sell the less they will cost. Personally I think that car companies can start making more money if they offer less individual ala-cart options and more major all-in-one packages like Acura does. You can get a basic, basic plus leather, or leather plus tech. Easy options, easy to compare prices, and it will reduce their cost...and we also may all end up with fighter-jet like displays!
Read [Freep]
Via [Gizmos For Geeks]