“Being a leader in connected vehicles means constant innovation, listening to customers, and taking an inclusive approach by partnering with others who bring great entertainment and customer experiences into our vehicles…One million data subscribers is much more than just a number. It represents countless road trips where kids aren’t asking, ‘Are we there yet,’ and people using their vehicles as classrooms and home offices just to make life a bit smoother. We’re motivated to empower even more people moving forward.”

Santiago Chamorro, GM vice president of Global Connected Services, has this to say in response to a huge milestone for General Motors. In terms of automotive technology and connected services, General Motors is the first automaker with more than 1 million subscribers to its Wi-Fi-enabled data services provided by AT&T. AT&T has been a growing internet provider in the industry, dating back to the AT&T plan set up with Chrysler and the Chrysler Pacifica in 2017, and General Motors has been packing vehicles like the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac with 4G LTE in the U.S. since 2014. In-vehicle Wi-Fi was still a budding service that not every car came with, but once it started popping up, having an automobile with its own Wi-Fi hotspot changed everything.

Powering and streaming audio apps and movies, giving passengers the ability to customize their own entertainment, play games, and even hold voice calls on those long road trips that just never seem to end. With Wi-Fi services enabled in a vehicle, it can be the first hour on the road or the 10th – if you’re not behind the steering wheel, then you can still find plenty to do. To commemorate the newest milestone, General Motors will be introducing new features in new 2021 models of the Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade, all set to debut by the end of 2020. These features will be in addition to the already full collection of services offered via the App Store and Google Play for all U.S. unlimited data plan subscribers, such as content from Bleacher Report, Cartoon Network, CNN, HBO, TBS, TNT, truTV, Warner Bros. Television, and other WarnerMedia content.

An industry first, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models will also become the first automobiles to feature WarnerMedia RIDE, an entertainment system that takes after the in-flight entertainment platforms popping up in some airlines in recent years. Just connect a tablet or smartphone via the in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, and live and on-demand entertainment options become available to consumers via the WarnerMedia RIDE app. Following this, GM and AT&T plan to add HBO Max to complement the WarnerMedia RIDE and in-vehicle Wi-Fi offering as a unique premium bundle. This will add more than 10,000 hours of curated premium content from HBO, Warner Bros., and other premium storytelling brands from HBO Max.

Connectivity is the new thing in the automotive industry. With the demographic hitting a tipping point where most consumers grew up with the internet and the world’s data at their fingertips, being able to offer services that keep consumers connected to their favorite leisure activities is a huge plus for automakers right now. General Motors is getting a step up with WarnerMedia RIDE, and you can find it in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models when you shop for a new car online with NowCar.

Photo Source/Copyright: GM Media