Many of our Best and Brightest questioned Chrysler’s decision to offer Wi-Fi (for passengers) in its vehicles (a.k.a. Autonet). They balked at the stiff cost for same: $499 to install, $29 a month. Tech toy site Gizmodo asked one of its savvy readers to test out ChryCo’s car o’ the future gizmo on their behalf, and the early review is not good. It didn’t work out of the box, it’s slow, there’s a one gig cap and it’s not encrypted. Yup, you heard right: no security. “So average guy never sets up encryption (nothing in the manual telling you need to). He plugs it in and parks in front of his apartment with 200 neighbors. Some kids finds it and downloads the full season of The Office. Customer gets a $800 bill. Nice.” As in not nice at all, on any level. How long before ChryCo “rectifies these issues?” We’re still waiting for that revised Avenger…
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Maybe I’ve been out of the wireless router game for too long, but no wireless router that I’ve come across shipped with encryption already enabled, and no router manual I’ve ever read tells the user that he needs to set it up either. It’s not necessarily a common sense thing, but in this day and age of internet security, that should be the first thing you do, whether the manual tells you to or not.
Using a car’s power system and a car’s size for an antenna make good sense for an in-car router. But using a proprietary network for actual Internet access does not.
What would be cool is if cars offered a slot hidden somewhere (trunk?) that provides standardized 12v DC power and connections to two built-in antennas (one larger amplified for the WAN, and a small for the 802.11x LAN). Then you could buy an integrated modem/router that works with your roaming data access service (such as EDGE).
This way you could use the same service that your iPhone (or other smart phone) uses, with better results while on the road.
I bet this was planned from the start to capture some extra dollars. I’m sure Chrysler is supposed to get a cut of those estra download charges
quasimodo is right. No wireless router ships with wireless security. It’s by design something you set up yourself because you have to specify the (in this case WEP) key.
This might be the next step in in-car entertainment. If they can get the monthly cost down, and the network features up; it will turn this very interesting idea into an awesome idea.
But why pay 29 buck a month? Can you not get a data plan with a wireless carrier for near the same price and use it anywhere? At least with an unsecured home network only your neighbors read your email. In a car….
Just bring over some BYD electric cars and get ahead of the game.
You could make this yourself for any car.
There are a few cellular (EVDO or 3G) modems and wi-fi routers available
The 29.99 per month for 1 GB isn’t too bad. The phone companies charge $60 per month for 5GB. Cheaper per Gig but no lower tier.
I’m having trouble seeing the benefits of in-car Wi-Fi. I recently got mobile broadband for my laptop, with no charge for the USB modem (it was actually rebated) and a monthly fee of less than $50. While that sounds steep, I am no longer tied to Wi-Fi hotspots and can connect from practically any location. I also save on broadband connection fees that some hotels (ironically, usually the more expensive ones) charge. Somehow I just don’t see Chrysler’s Autonet as “the next big thing.”
But why pay 29 buck a month? Can you not get a data plan with a wireless carrier for near the same price and use it anywhere? At least with an unsecured home network only your neighbors read your email. In a car….
No.
Autonet has two plans, a 1GB plan for $30/mo and a 5GB plan for $60/mo.
Verizon has two plans, a 500MB plan for $40/mo and a 5GB for $60/mo.
Sprint has a 300MB plan (no price specified), and a 5GB plan for $60/mo.
If you’re going for the 5GB plan, then you’re probably better off going with Sprint or Verizon, but Autonet’s low-tier plan looks to be better than Verizon’s plan (at least on paper).
As a technology professional, here’s my humble opinion:
Chrysler isn’t smart enough, isn’t fast enough, and isn’t innovative enough to dip their toes in this type of technology market. Probably no automaker is, but certainly not Chrysler.
You know, this isn’t the first time that Chrysler has attempted to adapt a home media device to its vehicles:
http://ookworld.com/hiwayhifi.html
Perhaps they should register “Highway Wi-Fi” as a trademark?
Chrysler seems to be offerign all sorts of gimmicks usually reserved for the “Pimp my Ride” aftermarket folks in a weak attempt to differentiate their products. Its fun to watch Xzibit do it on TV; not so much to see it at you local showroom.
They already have a DUB edition of the 300C, I just waiting for it to come with factory Lambo Doors and Spinners.
Here is an idea: Rather than offering overpriced gimmicks how about putting an extra $25 of value in your torque converters to give them a life expectancy greater than 50k miles.
I think it’s a good idea, if you’ve got kids that may be too old for Sirius backseat TV. They can download and play games during long trips. Older kids can update their myspace or whatever.
blautens :
Chrysler isn’t smart enough, isn’t fast enough, and isn’t innovative enough to dip their toes in this type of technology market. Probably no automaker is, but certainly not Chrysler.
I find this remark to be insulting to the engineers at Chrysler. Their end products might end up bungled by the penny-pinchers and the suppliers may not build them right thanks to the mental midgets that make millions to berate them. But Chrysler engineers are most certainly smart enough and innovative enough. This service might leave a bit to be desired now, but it will improve upon each iteration, putting them ahead of the competition.
If only management would let the engineers work on their engine technology or hybrid drivetrains.
(For the record, I do not work for Chrysler.)
Not a bad idea, but it has the same problem that in-dash navigation has: it’s wickedly expensive for what it does, especially next to commodity equipment.
There are a lot of cellular-to-wifi routers available, the most common of which is the internet connection sharing function built into every modern operating system: one 3G LAN adapter and thirty seconds of configuration work and you’re done.
And there are hardware solutions, too, for those who don’t want to get their hands dirty. I tested–two years ago–four-port switch equipped with a wifi radio and EVDO card. First thing I did? Plug it into a $20 inverter and put it in my car. Other than Bell Canada’s awful data charges, it worked quite well–about as well as the miserable latency cellular networks allow.
Chrysler’s trying, but this is just window dressing, much like MyGIG (iPod, anyone?) or ChillZone (does anyone use this?). It makes for a comparison sheet bullet (ie, Ford and GM do not have MyGIG, ChillZone or AutoNet) but it doesn’t address the fundamental crappiness of the average Chrysler.
Hmmmmm
Look…
The glaring problem here is….
It doesnt matter about the wireless incar internet service. I mean honestly.. how many minivan customers are going to buy this.. ontop of a better than base model vehicle?!
What Chrysler needs to do…
IS SCRAP THIS IN-CAR B.S stuff.
And concentrate on building better cars, with better fuel economy, A LOT LESS OVERLAP… and start concentrating on the CAMRY AND ACCORD!!!
Buy a coupla both, and tear them down!
Go over the hundreds of thousands of hours and supplier hours.. that made Honda build a vehicle as good as the Accord.. and or Camry.
Oh yeah…!
What the hell happened to a leading, forefront of a minivan.. that debuted in 97?!
What the hell is the crap that is being sold now?!
Can you say… ALSO RAN!
No matter how much lipstick ya stick on a pig… its still a PIG
Right on, Accords…this reminds me of several years ago, when Ford showed a minivan with a small washer-dryer combination in the cargo area. I guess it was targeted to soccer Moms who could multitask while running the kids around.
What the…???
Hmmm
Yeah, I remember the vehicle being a Ford Windstar for 2001. It used a specially designed washer-dryer unit. Its a standard water saving front loader.., but more compact. I doubt anyone thought of a use for such an expensive option, or bought it.
http://www.allbusiness.com/transportation/transportation-manufacturing/968863-1.html
http://www.usaweekend.com/02_issues/020526/020526cars.html
http://www.indiacar.net/news/n445.htm
http://www2.delawareonline.com/primelife/issues/2001/julaug/travel.html
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/library/graphics/windstar_solutions-1%20comp%20of%20CanadianDriverdotcom.jpg
All I have to say is…
Where is the Windstar now… Gone with the Wind.
And that option…
Gone like the bad gas that born it..
Just like this Chrysler crap. Just what we need.. in car internet.
See,
My point is if the vehicle is good… ya dont need the extra b.s options.
Its like PIMP MY RIDE… by the automaker.. ONLY LAMER!