WiFi in the Car?

GM being the kind of car company that is on the forefront of everything, has unveiled a new feature for their cars.  WiFi.  They are going to offer WiFi in 7 new models.

In actuality they aren’t really offering WiFi, they are offering Autonet’s 3G converted to local WiFI in your car.  But in truth that is pretty cool….though it is relatively expensive.

GM in the press release is touting that for a limited time you can get the router for $199 after a rebate.  And that isn’t too terrible.  But what they don’t say is that the cost of getting service (i.e. Internet) is another $29 per month. 

Another thing that they don’t say is that you can buy the Autonet hardware for almost any car.  Just go here.

For me I am going to stick with my current 3G wireless Internet in car solution.  You can do it too just by giving Apple a call.

Press Release:

 

Wi-Fi On Four Wheels: Chevrolet Offers Dealer-Installed Wireless Internet System For SUVs, Trucks And Vans

 

DETROIT – Owners of several Chevrolet models can transform their vehicle into a rolling Wi-Fi hot spot with Chevrolet Wi-Fi by Autonet Mobile. This dealer-installed system enables full Internet access inside the vehicle – and up to a 150 feet radius around the vehicle – with a laptop or mobile Wi-Fi device.

 

Autonet Mobile is the world’s first Internet service provider designed exclusively for vehicles. As a GM Officially Licensed Product, Chevrolet Wi-Fi by Autonet Mobile is certified to work with the following new Chevrolet models:

 

Equinox

Traverse

Silverado

Tahoe

Suburban

Avalanche

Express

 

Chevrolet Wi-Fi reflects the trend of increased Internet access on the go. According to JiWire’s Mobile Audience Insights Report, eight percent of all public Wi-Fi users log-in while traveling on subways (three percent) and ferries or cruise ships (five percent). In addition, JiWire reports that total public Wi-Fi users jumped 18 percent in just seven months, from December 2008 to June 2009.

 

Chevrolet Wi-Fi is designed for use by passengers, or by the driver when the vehicle is parked. The system requires no special software and achieves speeds up to 1.5 mbps. It uses TRU Technology to maintain Internet connections over the 3G network while the vehicle is in motion, allowing uninterrupted streaming of videos and more.

 

For families, Chevrolet Wi-Fi allows kids and teens to research homework topics on the ride home, connect to friends on social sites, and stream videos on long drives. The internet connection can support several devices at once, enabling multiple passengers to use the connection for their separate devices.

 

When it comes to worksite use, the Wi-Fi connection offers immediate access to everything the Web offers to make the job quicker and easier, from access to online ordering sites, municipal sites with permit and building code information and more. And when used with a laptop computer, the information comes in a larger, easier to navigate format than the small displays of cell phones.

 

Additional docking stations are available, enabling customers to easily move the Chevrolet Wi-Fi by Autonet Mobile router from vehicle to vehicle.

 

Through Dec. 31, Chevrolet Wi-Fi is available for $199 ($399 retail price, less $200 mail-in rebate with two-year service agreement). Go to GMextras.com for more information.

Related Articles:

• The World Car of the Year
• Maximum Bob Lutz to Re-Retire May 1 – We’ll miss him!
• Designer Bryan Nesbitt moved back to Design as part of another GM mangement shuffle