Being that I love to observe markets at work, I am particularly interested by the way the broader “telematics” industry is forming up. For the past several years I have worked in what is generally known as the M2M (machine-to-machine) industry of which telematics is viewed as a major segment. I always tell people that M2M is not a segment, but an enabling technology that horizontally crosses multiple vertical segments. In the early days, I simply considered telematics to be one of those vertical segments. I think that previously most people in M2M bundled any applications that were installed in a car or truck as being “telematics”. As applications become more specific – in many cases being pulled in a specific direction by users – it becomes even clearer that the term telematics is » Continue reading
OnStar even helps fight home invasion crimes!
Here is a story from December 31st’s NY Post . It’s about a victim of a home invasion robbery who breaks free of his bonds and follows the perpetrators (I’m from NY and that is what NY cops call criminals) in his car while having OnStar relay his movements to the police. Seems a little dangerous to me and is definitely not part of OnStar’s sales pitch or stated services. However, this story does point out that once technology is released to the public they will find unintended uses that provide value in a specific situation. A disclaimer: In my humble opinion, it is not wise to follow armed and dangerous men once you have safely freed yourself from » Continue reading