Chrysler To Offer Wireless Internet In 2009 Models

sunny in Seattle writes "'Have you ever thought rush hour on the 405 Freeway might be more bearable if you could check your e-mail, shop for a book on Amazon, place some bids on EBay and maybe even, if nobody is looking, download a little porn? Then perhaps you should be driving a Chrysler.' LA Times reports that the nation's third-largest automaker is set to announce Thursday that it's making wireless Internet an option on all its 2009 models. The mobile hotspot, called UConnect Web, would be the first such technology from any automaker."

Tag

[Anonymous Coward]

If ever there was a time for the "whatcouldpossiblegowrong" tag, this is it.

Re:wardriving

[clang_jangle]

Not necessarily -- you just change the goal to finding a faster connection.

Teen drivers will become a nightmare

[pwnies]

...when they all start checking their myspace while attempting to change lanes.

Do they really think this is a good idea?

Web surfing drivers...just what we need

[2cute2kill]

Considering the amount of shaving, texting, make-up applying, eating, and calling that already goes on in vehicles during rush hour, I'm not sure this feature should even be legal.

synchronicity

[roc97007]

...that this article would appear just after "Children Concerned by Parents' Web Habits"...

Were I a kid in the back seat, I'd be terrified.

Wow, it must be a bad idea...

[roc97007]

...if even geeks think it's stupid...

Carpooling

[Anonymous Coward]

Let's take a step away from the obvious safety risks.

This might make carpooling a more interesting option. Have drivers rotate on a daily basis and the passenger(s) get to surf the net while in traffic. I might like it. Make it illegal for drivers to use it, and this could be a good thing.

Missing the point

[cryfreedomlove]

Most of the posts I've seen here are short sighted because they only consider drivers doing what would normally be done at home in front of a computer.

Having a reliable internet connection will enable applications that we have not dreamed of yet but someone will. I'd like VOIP, using the car's built in microphone and speaker. How about a GPS system uses the IP connection to warn of upcoming traffic jams on the proposed route? How about setting the thermostat in your house when you are 30 miles away?

Come on people! Dream big!

real mobile access points...

[recharged95]

Wireless in a car should be more for infrastructure robustness than end user applications. More applications in a car that require user interaction (i.e. REST apps) is a recipe for disaster.

Then again, VOIP would be a killer app in a car.

Will a drivers surf history be evidence?

[pembo13]

Because if someone crashes into me, I would like to subpoena their cell phone and auto-internet records to see if they were doing something else instead of driving.

Re:Tag

[Anonymous Coward]

Because that was the number one problem plaguing the good people of New Orleans?

No, because it was the number one easiest way to votepander in a city that was trying to lose its reputation as a den of thieves.

Re:Missing the point

[Anonymous Coward]

Think about being able to look up the license plate of the ass wipe infront of you and getting his/her name and cell phone number. Then calling them over VOIP and telling them what you really think of 'em :)

Re:Web surfing drivers...just what we need

[cavis]

As a fireman, I responded to a car wreck a few years ago where a young woman was putting on makeup while driving (she did every morning), and she was late for work. She failed to make a turn, flipped the car, and left a husband and two young kids behind.

I agree with 2cute2kill - Do we really need to create yet another distraction in the car? Putting on makeup only takes a certain amount of time, yet you could drive and surf the web at the same time from LA to NYC (assuming coverage) with no restrictions.

A very bad idea.

Re:Web surfing drivers...just what we need

[intheshelter]

I agree that it is tragic, but before we outlaw this new technology let's look at your example again. If we say that the new technology should be illegal should we also make makeup illegal in cars? I know you probably see lots of unnecessary accidents as a fireman, but the simple fact is we can't protect people from their own stupidity. Our over the top laws designed to protect the dumbest elements of society (no easy way to phrase that so I didn't try) is only breeding us towards extinction (a bit of hyperbole). Dumb people will continue to pee on electric fences, read while driving, try to mimic tv stuntmen by setting themselves on fire, etc. We need to quit limiting the rights of the 90% of responsible people just to protect the 10% of irresponsible/stupid people from themselves.

If mobile internet like this becomes prevalent I'm sure you'll see a tragic accident because of it, but the person would probably have found another way to hurt themselves anyway since they didn't apply any common sense.