TROY, Mich. — OnStar now offers improved voice recognition, thanks to collaboration between General Motors Corp. (GM) – of which it is a subsidiary – and IBM Corp. The Detroit News reports that the new technology meshes digital and analog coverage and extends voice recognition from single letters or digits to names and phone numbers.

Walt Dorfstatter, OnStar’s chief engineer, says the upgrade, the sixth since the service was launched in 1996, is quicker and more intuitive.

According to The Detroit News, GM’s goal is to increase coverage as well as make the product hands-free. The upgrade will be included on several sport utility models this spring, before a full rollout on all of the automaker’s SUVs, pickups, and cars.

The service, which currently has 2.5 million subscribers, is available on 50 GM makes and models along with certain vehicles from Acura, Audi, Volkswagen, Isuzu and Subaru. OnStar adds roughly $695 to the cost of a vehicle, with the first year of service included and subsequent subscription rates based on the depth of service requested.