What is the difference between onstar and sync

Drivers can use Operator Assist to look up a business listing and get turn-by-turn directions sent to their car.

The battle between telematics services is starting to heat up with Ford treading into GM's territory by adding live operator assistance to Sync. Ford's cloud-based Sync Services is an automated system that lets drivers use voice commands to look up businesses, directions, traffic updates, and other information, such as sports scores, stock quotes, and horoscopes. Sync Services can send turn-by-turn directions to vehicles.

However, even with 14 million business listings, Sync Services isn't perfect. Looking up nearby businesses or entering directions is a hit-or-miss experience, and around the third or fourth time you scream "Starbucks" into the microphone, you start to realize the beauty of OnStar's live operators.

The new Operator Assist feature should give drivers the best of both worlds. Currently in beta testing, Operator Assist gives drivers the option of connecting to a live operator while using Sync Services to find a business listing or look up directions.

In terms of marketing and advertising Ford is placing Sync primarily in the entertainment bracket. It has plenty of other features, but these do not get top billing.

The system itself offers voice activated music search, hard drive storage and connectivity with popular MP3 players. In fact, the only real point of comparison is that both offer hands-free, voice activated calls. They are both robust systems as well, with digitally enhanced microphones to ensure call clarity. If you want all of the bells and whistles though, the Sync system comes out ahead in terms of entertainment features.

An excellent place to compare OnStar vs. Sync is in their navigation software. The way both services work is markedly different. OnStar has a built-in cell phone and GPS in the car, while Sync uses your cell phone as its communication tool. You do get what you pay for though and the quality of the OnStar is better. And if the cell phone survives and works after the crash, it will then dial for help. The hardware upgrades slated for the system bolster OnStar's safety and security features without affecting subscription rates.

The new infotainment features, such as Facebook access, may be available without a subscription to worry about. The new hardware will appear in models, and no, you won't be able to retrofit your older GM vehicle. It was designed to improve the user experience with new voice recognition, improved navigation and the ability to work with traffic management and weather alert services known as geo-boxed notification services.

Another play from OnStar comes early next year when MyLink, a sub-brand for mobile phones, launches with applications for Pandora, Stitcher and wi-fi. GM will invite outside developers to create apps for the system so long a they use voice-activated commands.