Bringing the Internet to Your Car
Almost immediately after we were able to get home Internet connections for our computers, we started longing for car Internet connections. Well, it’s taken a while but now it is here.
Many car manufacturers, aftermarket companies and major software firms have been working hard to develop the necessary infrastructure so that you can get to the Internet from your car.
A major development that allows this to take place is the creation of Wi-Fi. The technology has been used in cities and certain business sites to develop a so-called “hot spot” which allows people with laptop computers to wirelessly connect into the Internet. Recently that technology has been enhanced to make the car itself a “hot spot.” It uses a high speed cellular connection and a wireless router. Using this technology, devices with Wi-Fi capability are “plugging in” to the Internet.
A private company called Autonet is now offering a router that can be connected to a laptop computer that allows the computer access to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Moreover, Autonet has developed a partnership with General Motors so that many GM models can plug into the Internet. The Cadillac CTS is one of the first GM cars to have this technology. It is available as an option and costs $499 and also includes a monthly fee of $29.
Chrysler has a system it calls Uconnect which also uses Wi-Fi and costs $499. Ford has expanded its Sync System to include Internet access. Sync was originally introduced as a voice recognition system that controls certain parts of an entertainment system. The next generation Sync now includes access to the Internet. Moreover, Ford has another system called Work Solutions.
BMW has enhanced its iDrive Control System to include ConnectedDrive for Internet access. It uses EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) Mobile Connection technology to perform the task. BMW is saying that it is the fastest universal mobile connection technology now available. The technology includes a joystick mouse which allows the user to actually surf the internet. Internet sites are displayed on the car’s navigation system’s display monitor. The driver can use it as long as the car is traveling at a slow speed. But passengers have access at all times.
Mercedes-Benz calls its system MyCOMMAND. It was first introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2008 and is expected to be on models within the next 2 years or so. It uses a cellular data network to gain access to the Internet and will allow the downloading of data for all sorts of uses by the driver and passengers.
And now Microsoft is developing a technology to compete with Wi-Fi called ViFi. Microsoft claims that the new technology will provide better connection to the Internet from a moving car than Wi-Fi can offer. Moreover, the Microsoft technology is supposed to be less expensive than cellular based systems.
For now, many of us might not be able to afford access to the Internet from our car. The point is, however, that it is here. And like all new technologies, the cost will drop as more and more of it appears. So soon you too will be able to visit the Alamo and connect to the Alamo website to find out all about it.
