LOL. New Commodore can text message

OMG the new Holden Commodore VF can RSVP. As safety experts around the world wrestle with how to stop drivers from reading and sending text messages while on the move, Holden has come up with a simple solution.

Every new Commodore comes with preset text messages that enable the driver to reply at the press of a button, or with a short voice command. You can also program your own message.

Included among the 15 options are “Can’t talk now, I’m driving”, “I need directions”. There is even a shortcut for a simple “yes” or “no”. There are also 50 spaces for personalised responses, which can only be typed into the Commodore’s system when the car is parked.

It’s part of the new VF Commodore’s touchscreen and infotainment system and it is believed to be the first car on sale in Australia with the technology. Toyota displayed a sample of a similar system at last year’s Geneva motor show but the Japanese company is yet to introduce it locally.

Commodore drivers also have the option of using voice control that’s been tuned to understand Australian accents. For now, the preset text message responses only work with Android and Blackberry operating systems. Apple’s security settings don’t allow it, says Holden. Instead, iPhone users will need to use Siri to dictate a message.

“No matter which device you have, there is no need to touch or glance at your phone while driving,” said Holden technology communications manager Andrea Matthews.

“But depending on your device, you can reply by voice or tap the touchscreen to reply with a preset message.”

Regardless of which type of smartphone you have, however, the Commodore can read it aloud over the audio system speakers. Holden is working with Apple to enable preset responses for iPhone users.

“We have ongoing discussions with all of the phone providers. The preset reply menu is one of things we are talking about with Apple,” she said.

Telecommunications figures show smartphones with Android operating systems now outsell Apple’s IOS system both in Australia and overseas.

Although Apple sells more phones in most markets, Android-compatible devices accounted for 64 per cent of sales in the first three months of this year across nine countries -- Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom and North America -- according to a study by Kantar, a British-based firm that regularly researches global mobile phone use.

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling