Tech Tuesdays: Autonet Mobile Expands Internet Access to All GM Vehicles
Autonet Mobile and General Motors last week announced a deal to bring on-the-road Internet to the rest of the domestic automaker's brands: Chevrolet, Buick and GMC. The pair previously made the service available on Cadillac vehicles last spring.
Positioned as a tool for business people on the go who need to stay connected, the service also makes a great backseat babysitter for the connected-tech generation. If rear-seat entertainment system with a built-in DVD player kept kids quiet a decade ago, as teens they probably now prefer texting friends on their iPhones.
Autonet Mobile employs a cellular modem (right) installed in the car that accesses a 3G wireless network to create a rolling Wi-Fi hot spot. While the connection can't compete with the type of high-speed Internet access most people are used to at home or in the office, we found in our test of the system last year that it works well for email and Web applications that don't require heavy downloading. But try to watch a YouTube video and you feel like you're back in the dial-up days.
While you don't need a Wi-Fi connection to access the Internet and most people have Web-enabled phone, that hasn't stopped Autonet Mobile from signing up several automakers.
The service first appeared in Chrysler vehicles last year, and then Autonet Mobile announced the deal with Cadillac in March. Last June, Volkswagen announced it would make it available for Routan minivan, a sibling to the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan.
Autonet Mobile is a dealer-installed option and the routers cost around $500 and service plans start at $29 a month with a one-year contract. The GM system is available at an introductory price of $199 for the router until November 30; GM is offering $100 discount, and Autonet Mobile is providing a $200 rebate. The system is also available through the aftermarket.
While many people already have Internet access on their mobile phones, that's different than having a Wi-Fi hot spot that several people can log onto. And devices such as laptops, netbooks, gaming consoles and the iPod touch can be connected to the Web through Wi-Fi but not a cellular signal.
We wonder how many people will be willing to spend money every month on yet another data plan when they already have similar connectivity on their phones -- especially in the current economy.
But Autonet Mobile and GM believe there are plenty.
- Posted by
- Doug Newcomb October 27, 2009, 3:00 AM
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- Automotive Technology, Buick, Cadillac, Car Audio and Electronics, Car Tech Tuesdays, Chevrolet, GMC, General Motors
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- Autonet Mobile, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GM, GMC, Volkswagen
I can do this for free with my Sprint Touch Pro2. I don't really understand why someone would pay such a large upfront cost, and another monthly fee for such a service.
leescott, maybe they want to go the opposite route? Why pay for a Sprint service when I can just use VOIP over WiFi at home, in my car, and at work?
Far fetched, I know. It would make sense for service vehicles though.
yeah, but your average consumer won't be that smart. Plus, service vehicles will already have some sort of wireless communication account.
Plus, I can use my wireless access anywhere, not just in my vehicle. Perfect example, I was on vacation a couple of weeks ago and there was no wifi where I was staying. I was able to get online using my WinMo phone tethered to a laptop.