• by Karl Greenberg , March 11, 2015

With Apple's connected watch coming out in stores, it seems about time for automakers to get on board with putting apps for remotely starting and climate-controlling the vehicle, unlocking its doors, setting up map destinations, finding the car, and running diagnostics on a wearable. 

And many, like Audi, BMW and GM are doing so. Now, Hyundai is the latest automaker to address the smallest screen. But the automaker is offering it to a wide array of Android watches and, soon, to Apple Watch. The Blue Link telematics platform for Android Wear — available via an updated app on Google Play — is a watch-friendly extension of Hyundai's cloud-based system. 

The watch-optimized version activates functions via finger taps on icons, or by voice commands, per Hyundai. The company says touching the microphone icon on the watch activates the voice function, by which the driver can execute commands verbally (“Start my car,” “Lock my car” or “Find my car” are examples the company gives.)

The app is not a standalone on the watch, as it needs access to a hot spot, namely the owner’s smartphone, which the watch connects with via Bluetooth. The smartphone must have a Blue Link client as well.  The company says the Blue Link smartwatch app works with first and next generation Blue Link-equipped Hyundai models. 

BMW is in the game as is GM. Last year, at the consumer electronics show IFA Berlin, BMW showed its smartwatch app for its i3 and i8 electric cars. The i Remote program, which runs on a Samsung Gear S watch, also won an award at CES this year. It does things like show battery stats, and driving range. It also controls in-vehicle climate and AC; accesses navigation data and route planning; and it offers information on whether the car is locked, or the windows up or down. 

General Motors last year debuted its RemoteLink app for Samsung Gear 2. The application lets owners of GM vehicles that have RemoteLink functionality to locate their cars by activating honking, start their engines and unlock their doors. GM's app will use OnStar system as a intermediary platform. But GM said that using the watch function doesn't require people to get an OnStar subscription.

Also at CES this year, Audi revealed watch connectivity via partnerships with LG, Samsung Display and NVIDIA.