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Chrysler turns cars into WiFi hotspots
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Soon motorists will be able to check email and surf the Web without finding a local Starbucks or Internet cafe. Beginning in August, automaker Chysler is going to outfit cars with a dealer-installed system called UConnect Web that turns vehicles into WiFi hotspots. The system will be offered in most 2009 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeap vehicles. The in-vehicle wireless router will cost $449, plus installation of up to $50. Mobile Web access will cost about $29 per month after a $35 activation fee. Service will be provided by Autonet Mobile.
The UConnect Web device, which will be hidden within the car, will work only when there is a key in the ignition. It will use a cellular 3G network and promises download speeds between 600 and 800 kbps with upload speeds of 200 kbps.
For more:
- see this LA Times story
Related story:
WiFi-enabled cars arrive
Comments
Posted by Anonymous | June 26, 2008 - 12:39pm
Why are they calling 3G WiFi?? It's not the same thing.
Posted by Sue Marek | June 26, 2008 - 12:42pm
You're correct, it's not the same thing. My understanding is that the backhaul is over the 3G cellular network. Sue
Posted by Anonymous | June 26, 2008 - 12:56pm
Why would a consumer want to use this service? This service basically taps 3G service from cellular networks and provides a WiFi interface in the car, and a laptop can connect to it.
I can get 3G on my cell phone, use it as a wireless modem and connect my laptop to it. For not too much more than $29 per month. And it gives me internet ANYWHERE I am, not just in my car! And I don't need to pay for a fancy $450 router!
Posted by Sue Marek | June 26, 2008 - 1:00pm
One possible advantage would be that if your car became a hotspot, multiple people in the vehicle could use the connection. Sue
Posted by Anonymous | June 26, 2008 - 1:10pm
Sue, you're right technically. But how often would we have multiple people in our cars wanting to connect to the internet?
Perhaps on a long drive on a family vacation? Is that often enough to warrant a $500 upfront cost and a $29 monthly cost?
And may be there are cheaper gadgets available that'll turn your phone into a local hotspot too.
Posted by Anonymous | June 26, 2008 - 1:20pm
Out of curiosity I did a google search and the first hit points to a $180 gadget that can turn your cell phone into a WiFi hotspot:
And with that gadget you can create a hotspot anywhere - on a beach, in a jungle, on a mountain, in the car, etc,... anywhere you have cellular service. And data plans on cellphones are under $40 a month these days.
Posted by Tom King | June 26, 2008 - 4:05pm
Ha. Old news we have been doing it for years, and actually shipping and installing product...
We do buses, car ferries, yachts, RV's, limo's and cars. Currently I have embedded Voice, Data, and Fax in my SUV.
Posted by uconnect web | June 28, 2008 - 1:01pm
Awesome! I've been keenly interested in this new emerging technology since I've first watched it on foxnews channel. I'm seeing a great potential for this technology which can probably drive Chrysler's sales for 2009. Also, I'm predicting this will be the trend and most other car companies will follow suit and would not dare leave themselves behind on this.
I'm carefully watching the developments from here on and I've actually started a blog dedicated to this as well. It is uconnectwebsite.com
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