GM pushes in-car Facebook, texts

General Motors has begun testing applications that allow subscribers to its OnStar vehicle communication system to update their Facebook status verbally and to receive text messages audibly.

GM, which registered plans for an IPO with US securities regulators in August, also plans a new advertising campaign for OnStar, a subscription service that connects drivers with a live operator at the touch of a button, it said on Wednesday.

The new OnStar applications come as GM competes with US rival Ford, which partnered with Microsoft to launch the Sync vehicle connectivity system that is credited with boosting Ford's sales and its popularity among younger car shoppers.

Under the applications GM is testing, subscribers also can listen to recent news feed messages from Facebook and can make one of four pre-set replies to the text messages they receive.

- Reuters