Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : General Magic -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mark Oliver who wrote (8023)	2/12/2000 9:19:00 PM
From: Seconds Out	Respond to of 10081

<<What's the point?>> I know it is a retorical question, but I think you answered it earlier in your post. GMGC needs GM's credibility and cash. If GMGC had IPO'd two summers ago when Portico was rolled out and had raised big bucks in the IPO, and if they weren't so recently an R&D company, they would have had the marketing savvy, money, and channels to market to have made a legitimate try at going it alone. But, as you are aware, the GMGC we know is a company rebuilt from the ashes of the magic cap, telescript debacle of the prior regime pre-internet. So GMGC must rely on others to fulfill its vision, some of whom have let GMGC down. It appears to me, though, that GMGC is on the brink of a potentially golden era. While last year was, in retrospect, the year which determined GMGC's survival, this year should go down as the year which to a large degree determined its place in the transition of the Internet from the computer to the TV, phone, automobile, hand held device, and even home appliance. Obviously, GMGC will not have a presence in all of these areas, but they need only have a spot in a few key areas to be a very successful company. Look at what happens when I can't get a sitter on a Saturday night. Seconds Out.

To: Mark Oliver who wrote (8023)	2/13/2000 1:12:00 AM
From: Kurthend	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 10081

Mark, Just a few thoughts about OnStar. The pricing plans are as follows (unless there has been a change:)) Safety and Security Plan: 1. Emergency Services 2. Roadside Assistance 3. OnStar MED-NET 4. Automatic Notification of Airbag Deployment. 5. Remote Diagnostics 6. AccidentAssist 7. Stolen Vehicle Tracking 8. Remote Door Unlock Monthly Base Rate is $16.95. 1 year plan costs $199 2 years = $379 3 years = $549 4 years = $699. Premium Service Plan adds the following services above the Safety and Security Plan: 1. Route Support 2. Convenience Service 3. Concierge Services 4. RideAssist. There are two rates for the Premium Service. One that includes cellular airtime and one that does not. The plan that includes airtime is as follows. Monthly base rate is $34.95. 1 year = $399 2 years = $779 3 years = $1,099 4 years = $1,399 The plan where cellular time is additional is as follows. Monthly base rate is $22.50. 1 year = $270 2 years = $498 3 years = $711 4 years = $900. I now believe that GMGC is working on a portal (voice portal). At least I have something in black and white to back up or support my voice portal theory and GMGC. I had asked IR a few months ago about making myTalk a portal. The answer I received was a laugh and why would they want to do that. Well, maybe it was because they are working in tandem with GM on this project. I also wonder if Kenya will be involved in the GM portalI base that on this article: usnews.com Here are some exerpts: But this fall, OnStar won't be the only game in town. OnStar and competing services will broaden their concierge skills to include reading aloud your E-mail or stock quotes, and these features will be available on upcoming models from GM and Ford, with Toyota, Daimler-Chrysler, and others not far behind. In the meantime, most auto makers will be pushing an automated form of the personal touch. This fall owners of some smart cars will be able to instruct their autos to read aloud stock quotes, news headlines, local weather, and E-mails. There's no return service, however, because the limitations of voice recognition and slow cellular connections prohibit two-way connections. Customers must therefore first fill in their news preferences on a personal Web page on a PC; the information collected by that page will be sent to the car. Ford has joined with Yahoo! to provide these services, while OnStar is launching its own news portal. It will be interesting how BA, GM and GMGC are integrated together. GM is interested in building numerous facilities throughout the US to support OnStar and and BA is expanding to a nationwide coverage plan for their cellular service. It really wouldn't surprise me to see GM develop with BA a single payment plan. GMGC hopefully will be right in the middle of this convergence. Gotta go. Take care, Kurt