Posted on 10/13/2009 6:41:02 AM PDT by raccoonradio
Internet hot spots are already available in some models of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge, the Volkswagen Routan and Cadillac CTS vehicles as a dealer option. Autonet Mobile, maker of a Wi-Fi hot spot for the car, has created an OEM developer kit to allow its “hotA” spot to be embedded in new cars. According to Reed Business Informaton’s Twice Magazine, the Autonet hot spot produces an EV-DO cellular connection that is then converted to Wi-Fi, allowing anyone in your car access to the internet on a number of devices. Users in a car can watch YouTube, check Facebook and listen to internet radio, all at the same time.
>>allowing anyone in your car access to the internet
Hint to driver: Keep your eyes on the road.
I still remember reading in TV Guide, back in the 70s, that someone had a portable TV in their car (they were driving alone) and he was distracted and died in a crash. They were wondering what show he was watching on that Thu. evening: The Waltons, or What's Happening?!
I know talk radio host Howie Carr has mentioned that “wifi for the car will soon be available” and people would be able to hear streaming of his show that way.
I can text, talk and surf the web while driving? Cool. NOT.
So, we can’t have horsepower, torque, speed, size or style in a car anymore.
But we get the Internet.
Oh boy.
People drink and drive.
People drive under the influence of all sorts of illegal substances.
They talk on their phones.
They eat.
They text.
They dress, put on makeup, and otherwise don’t pay attention.
And now we’re going to give these same morons who can’t control themselves and focus on the task at hand (sorry) access to internet porn?
Anybody else see a downside to this?
I have always wanted the net in my car,,just for google. Hubby and I talk constantly and every ten minutes we wish we had google. Driving makes us speculate. Like we drove thru Virginia and suddenly had all kinds of questions about Washington and Jefferson and no google.
We are google addicts. And it is too expensive to get one of those phone dealies that plug into the puter,,and I don’t understand them anyway. Net would obviate the need for all kinds of things including the garmin, the radio, the dvd player, etc.
For sure.
Like command and control functions exerted on your vehicle from govt traffic controllers.
It's only a few years away, I fear.
One great advantage to this: listening to streaming audio of talk shows that local radio affiliates PRE-EMPT for friggin’ sports!
I had dreamed of a GPS based database that would show your interests and display nearby historical sites, geologic maps, native plants. I think the GPS systems on the market now just show where to eat, sleep, fuel, museums, commercial entertainment.
This would of course be used while stopped or the second passenger only.
As it is recently an 18 yr old just died because she was texting someone at 11 pm, driving about 45-50 in a 30 zone.
That text message was really important. Now net surfing while driving? Whoa...
Exactly! I do have XM radio for some shows...
My Pontiac sends me an email every month just to tell me everything is working fine.
I also can see an upside, as long as it isn’t a distraction for the driver.
And certainly, I’m not suggesting any sort of ban or government intervention.
Just pointing out that there’s a sizeable minority of people (who you can observe every single day on our interstates) who are irresponsible, stupid, or both. Giving them another shiney distraction is just going to make those people more dangerous.
Of course, if law enforcement was more concerned about people who were actually distracted while driving (or driving poorly) instead of hiding on the side of the road waiting for some hapless soul to drive by doing 5mph over the speed limit, I wouldn’t feel so worried.
Nothing new here, we’ve had it for years. The difference is, the automakers are desperate and now have opted in build it in and hype it as “new”.
And remember, built it means locked in. Carrier goes belly up, changes their plan, starts imposing limits, force feeding ads, you can’t switch. YOU belong to THEM. hahaha
And, let me tell you, it’s a great tool and resource to have, if used responsibly. Need directions, waiting for an email, traffic advisory, or just have a few minutes to kill? It has many beneficial uses.
DeLorme has had that feature since 2004. ;)
I talk to cars and their technicians from this computer 700 miles away on a daily basis.
Take your car to a reputable dealer, I can talk to it too.
How about an officer that can kill the ignition on a running vehicle. Some have argued that is good.
A plant and geologic database?
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