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."

Comments

wardriving

[pwnies]

Kind of defeats the point of wardriving though doesn't it.

Re:wardriving

[clang_jangle]

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

Re:wardriving

[Constantine XVI]

Nope. From TFA:

Users get download speeds of 600 megabits to 800 megabits per second. Holy shit. I'd love to know how they're getting that over a 3G connection.

Re:wardriving

[FrameRotBlues]

Yeah, they corrected that; it's supposed to be 600-800K, not 600-800M.

Re:wardriving

[deepgrey]

Actually, I would think it would make wardriving interesting - the target network would be moving.

Re:wardriving

[CrazyTalk]

Not really - if you are wardriving looking for Chryslers!

Re:wardriving

[segagman]

internet blogMedia driving..we earned are friend z but it is heaping this year the INTERNET IS DIEIBg> i clicked spell check on all 2 woedZ GO>>>>> linuX

Re:wardriving

[Dan541]

It just adds a new challenge now you have to chase the hotspot down the highway.

Re:wardriving

[elrous0]

Even harder, you have to find one of the ten people in the U.S. still driving a Chrysler.

Re:wardriving

[zippthorne]

It goes in *new* cars. The number of people currently driving a Chrysler is pretty irrelevant. And what's wrong with Chrysler, anyway? They're good cars, solidly built, and mostly pretty stylish, in a conservative way. Sure, their gas mileage is middle-of-the-pack, but it's nothing near as bad as GM*.

*Why the F does the Wrangler, a compact car get the practically the same crappy mileage as a freakin' hummer?

Tag

[Anonymous Coward]

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

Re:Tag

[cayenne8]

"and maybe even, if nobody is looking, download a little porn? "

Well, I dunno about other places....but, in New Orleans, maybe LA in general, don't get caught watching porn in the car where it can be seen by others outside your vehicle, or you'll get busted. They put that law into effect a few years back.

Re:Tag

[clem]

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

Re:Tag

[compro01]

Appearently. Porn is dangerous stuff.~

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:Tag

[cayenne8]

"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."

No..I think it had to do with things that happened during some of the 'fests' that happen down here...that in traffic coming into the city, that some big SUV's that had lots of screens that were playing some hardcore stuff while in traffic, well other cars that had kids in them were seeing what was going on pretty clear in the cars. I think it blew some parents' minds.

They're pretty lenient what goes on in the Quarter, but, outside of that and the surburbs coming into the city, well there are normal families living normal lives and they don't put up with stuff like they'll allow in the Quarter. I remember driving downtown a few years ago with all the traffic coming in for the Essence festival, and you saw that type of thing happen a LOT. I saw many cars decked out with screens playing porn. Not that it bothers me, but, I saw that this wasn't an isolated incident.

We're a party city, but, there is a place and time for different behaviors...and while a lot goes on ok...not everything goes.

Re:Tag

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah, the city with drive through daquiri stands. Let's stop the porn but encourage drinking and driving.

Re:Tag

[cayenne8]

"Yeah, the city with drive through daquiri stands. Let's stop the porn but encourage drinking and driving."

So...what's your point?

:-)

We also sell alcohol (beer, wine and liquor) 7 days a week, we have 'to go cups' at bars and restaurants so you can take your drink to go (I really miss that in other cities, you have to chug your last drink before you leave), and sales of booze aren't only in liquor stores...you can buy all 3 at grocery stores, convenience stores...etc.

It is kind of nice to be treated like an adult to have the choice to drink responsibly...key word there being personal choice. If you get busted driving drunk, it is as bad as anywhere else in the country. I personally feel the new DWI blood alcohol levels are too low at .08....it should have stayed at the old levels...but, that's a different soapbox.

Anyway, I'd dare say down here alcohol is a part of life much like it is in other parts of the world....no big deal. Most of the people that really overbinge and all are the visitors here who go apeshit seeing how liberal it is here with the drinking laws...and they're just not used to not having the govt. tell them how to regulate themselves in a more permissive environment.

Re:Tag

[Awptimus Prime]

Most of the people that really overbinge and all are the visitors here who go apeshit seeing how liberal it is here with the drinking laws...and they're just not used to not having the govt. tell them how to regulate themselves in a more permissive environment.

Considering Marti Gras isn't the only street party in the USA, I'd be willing to suggest the people going apeshit have less to do with the government sheltering them than they are doing it for the same reasons they do in Panama City, used to do in Atlanta during Freaknic, and many other places. They are out of town, young, and are going to "blow it out" regardless of what the local laws are. You can get picked up just as quickly in New Orleans for public intoxication as you can in any college town I've stayed in, as the differences in the laws are minor at best.

Personally, I did not like my time there. It seemed like the police trolled visitors for trouble more than any other place I've lived. I've yet to be asked "Where are you from?" by a cop since leaving Louisiana while it was a common occurrence while living there.

Re:Tag

[KGIII]

Amen to that. I recently got done driving some 25k miles around America (blog can't handle being slashdotted) and I loved LA and getting off I-10 to go into NO was a riot of fun! Everything in NO was a riot - even the cops busting someone just off the interstate. We spent a couple of days there and a few up in Lafeyette and a day out on the coast away from the city before heading north for a bit but damn! What a town. (You might want to try Panama City Beach, Florida. VERY relaxed, nice jail too if you're drunk but they let you go after eight hours of television and free phone calls, and the people there were quite similar to what I found in LA.) Oh, Gulfsport, Mississippi is still a wreck in some places so if you get a minute when you go by, stop and spend some money on something.

Re:Tag

[KGIII]

My experiences there were different. BUT... I was backwards. I was in NO prior to Mardi Gras and actually was in Panama City (FL) for their pathetic Mardi Gras and stayed through until mid-Spring Break. No one bugged me in NO but the cops in FL were a riot of fun. (I got to spend 8 hours in Bay County for being drunk enough to get caught peeing next to a cop car.) In NO I was right wasted the entire time, was treated in a most fantastic way by the locals and the few cops that bothered trying to talk to me. We even got a ride back to the EconoLodge 'cause I was too drunk to walk and the cop figured he'd probably better save the tourists from the "thugs." I guess I was waiting for a cab but, well, that's not what I remember. *sighs* Great place to visit. Still, though, shouldn't display porn publically. Hell, then again, probably shouldn't even surf the 'net while driving.

Re:Tag

[rrohbeck]

I thought their governor is their biggest problem.

Re:Tag

[kd4zqe]

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.

Yeah... Katrina really helped out THAT stereotype. All I saw were pictures of misery and people LOOTING. Perhaps it's because N.O. IS a den of thieves. Just let the people have their bewbies in traffic.

Re:Tag

[cayenne8]

"Considering Marti Gras isn't the only street party in the USA, I'd be willing to suggest the people going apeshit have less to do with the government sheltering them than they are doing it for the same reasons they do in Panama City, used to do in Atlanta during Freaknic, and many other places. They are out of town, young, and are going to "blow it out" regardless of what the local laws are. You can get picked up just as quickly in New Orleans for public intoxication as you can in any college town I've stayed in, as the differences in the laws are minor at best.

Personally, I did not like my time there. It seemed like the police trolled visitors for trouble more than any other place I've lived. I've yet to be asked "Where are you from?" by a cop since leaving Louisiana while it was a common occurrence while living there."

Hmm...I don't think you really got the NOLA experience....First, you spell it Mardi Gras, I'd have thought you'd have gotten that down if you'd been here during it. And second, calling it a mere street party, well, you certainly didn't experience what it really is I'd guess....

And it isn't like that is the only time we 'throw down' down here....let's put it this way, I'd heard years ago, that there are roughly 60+ festivals and the like in this area annually. There's only 52 weeks a year, so at some point you have to make some choices. There is a flavor and a completely different lifestyle and attitude down here....I guess you either love it or hate it, but, it is different from anywhere else I've ever lived. If you're a visitor here...and not acting like and ass, in general the locals will welcome you, and if you're lost or just asking where to eat (God help you if you happen to ask me, you'll get at least and hour diatribe on the places to go here plus the menus I have memorized), but, if you come and act an ass....well, just don't be a jerk. And for God's sake...don't smart off to the cops, say yessir, and try to get the hell away from trouble....jail here is not going to be any fun for you.

If you're in the Quarter, and intoxicated....I'd dare say you will get along much better and be tolerated farther than you would most anywhere else in the country....but, again, no excuse for acting a complete ass. As for asking where you're from...if you talk different than us, well, it is a tourist town, we're naturally curious.

Finally...yes..we do have most all of the same laws on behavior, intoxication, nudity..etc...but, if you're in the Quarter and all....a lot of behavior that would get you locked up in a heartbeat in another city will slide here...we like people to have fun, but, if you're out waving your dick in public (ok, even that seems to slide somewhat during Southern Decadence Festival on Labor Day weekend, whew..what a freak show), or starting to get violent, you're gonna get busted. But you really in general have to be really showing your ass (no pun intended) to get that treatment.

Re:Tag

[cayenne8]

"Yeah... Katrina really helped out THAT stereotype. All I saw were pictures of misery and people LOOTING. Perhaps it's because N.O. IS a den of thieves."

Fortunately much of that 'trash' got flushed outta here later.

Sorry about that Houston.

Re:Tag

[nonymous]

Although it could potentially reduce the instances of road-rage.

Re:Tag

[JackieBrown]

And to San Antonio...

Every year they still talk about how our crime rate went up xx percent.

I have no idea if it's true or not. It's been a long time since I felt safe here. I definitely wasn't more worried after Katrina

Re:Tag

[Awptimus Prime]

Well I suck at spelling. I also don't call cops "sir", I call them "officer". Perhaps that's why they came across as pricks. :)

Re:Tag

[tjstork]

Although it could potentially reduce the instances of road-rage.

Unless it was your partner in the porno.. then, you might get a little aggravated!

Re:Tag

[plantman-the-womb-st]

No better way to say "I'm a disrespectful northern ass" than to call a cop "officer" down south. No wonder they messed with you. Yes, there are different rules down there. It's a different culture, an extremely different culture, from the rest of the country.

Damned I miss home sometimes.

Re:Tag

[zakezuke]

It is kind of nice to be treated like an adult to have the choice to drink responsibly...key word there being personal choice. If you get busted driving drunk, it is as bad as anywhere else in the country. I personally feel the new DWI blood alcohol levels are too low at .08....it should have stayed at the old levels...but, that's a different soapbox. .08 is pretty damn low. At the old level one could have a burger and a beer, or a glass of wine at lunch, wait a half hour, and be legal. But that doesn't bug me so much as getting hassled by police walking home from a bar. The only time I've been arrested was one of those times I had one too many, thought to my self "I should call a cab" and got arrested outside the bar WAITING FOR A CAB. That's nuts.

Re:Tag

[Woundweavr]

It is kind of nice to be treated like an adult to have the choice to drink responsibly...key word there being personal choice. If you get busted driving drunk, it is as bad as anywhere else in the country.

Because what other consequences could arise from drunk driving? And surely its no one else's business since I couldn't possibly hurt someone by driving drunk.

Something stops being a "personal choice" when that "choice" can kill and cripple others. Whether you sleep with another adult is a personal choice (well, two or more choices). Whether you worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster or Jesus is a personal choice. Whether you drink Guinness or Heineken is a personal choice. Whether you drive drunk or not you drink responsibly is only a 'personal choice' if choosing the negative is negligence that can result in death for yourself and others.

La. has about twice the drunk driving fatalities per capita as the national average. Maybe one thinks that drive through alcohol stands are unrelated to this, but to brush them off as prima facie harmless is silly.

Re:Tag

[piemcfly]

"... and in other news, a major pile-up on the I64 near Morehead, Kentucky. Three drivers were found dead and many heavily injured as a driver lost control of his vehicle near the mainstreet intersection.
Police officers on the scene report that the exact cause of the collision is still under investigation, but that as the driver who caused the accident was driving a 2009 model Chrysler and found in a partially unclad state, the police assume that this is the newest in a series of what the media are now calling 'money-shot accidents.

Politicians were quick to denounce the in-car internet systems as dangerous, unethical and amoral, with a bipartisan group of representatives announcing their intentions to introduce what they call the 'Will somebody please think of the children!?'-bill, which would effectively ban the controversial in-car internet systems.
Back to you John.'."

Re:Tag

[Awptimus Prime]

I live in the south and never had trouble with it anywhere but there. This is the backwoods of the bible-belt, I know most of the police force here, drink with a few on occasion, and called them all "officer" before I knew them. Never had a problem.

Re:Tag

[NateTech]

Like wanting the "northern asses" to send FEMA and money to fix damage from a hurricane? Maybe those cops should think about that.

I don't see Missouri bitching on national TV for FEMA to fix everything after their floods. They just get out the heavy equipment and fix their own problems.

Darn those "northern asses".

streaming music!

[doranb]

I don't know about shopping on Amazon, but oh how I'd love to listen to somaFM, WOXY, or Beyond the Beat Generation while I'm driving. Cuz the music broadcasters in LA choose is the suxors.

Re:streaming music!

[AKAImBatman]

The first thing I thought of wasn't music, though that's a very good point. I was thinking "in-car speakerphone" and "Skype". But maybe I'm just weird that way.

(And apparently quite goofy, considering I barely talk on my cell phone. Especially when in the car.) :-P

Re:streaming music!

[Yold]

Rip it to your Ipod. StreamRipperX does it on MacOS, i know there is a windows equivalent as well.

Re:streaming music!

[doranb]

Well, I don't use a proprietary player like the iPod, but I do play mp3s in the car already. But this just gives me what I already have. Being able to listen to webcasts will give me songs I don't have or haven't heard.

2010 news flash:

[Aussenseiter]

"Recent studies show that tailgating has increased over 170% near certain Chrysler vehicles."

Ugh.

[morgan_greywolf]

Just say no to Chrysler. THey make the most HORRIBLE pieces of sh** on the planet. I'm not kidding. Check out the cheap, cheezy, "Z-frame" suspensions they use on all of their front-wheel drive models. Total crap. Google for "Chyselr Z-Frame" and you'll see what I mean. These people are from Detroit and should know better. Seriously.

Re:Ugh.

[digital_rich]

I Googled Chrysler Z-Frame and found nada. Should I have Googled Chyselr?

Re:Ugh.

[langelgjm]

Not to impugn your comment, but I googled for "Chyselr Z-Frame", and I didn't get any results.

I also googled for "Chrysler Z-Frame", and didn't find a slew of links decrying it...

Re:Ugh.

[CauseWithoutARebel]

There's a Z platform, but Mitsubishi had more to do with it than Chrysler did. I'm not sure Chrysler even still uses it anymore. I don't know that they ever used it in the states.

I'm also a Chrysler hater (horrible, horrible experience with a 1996 Sebring of my wife's), and even I don't know anything specifically bad about the Z platform, though.

Re:Ugh.

[Anonymous Coward]

All car companies have changed since 1996. Chrysler has changed hands twice. Remember Dalmer Chrysler? That was german engineering. Now they've got a private investor group with controlling share.

On the one hand

[zakezuke]

I've dealt with i-405 and I know I'd prefer to hang out in my car with a Wifi connection and wait two hours until the traffic dies down.

On the other, people who honestly think they can READ E-MAIL on the road are nuts. Even when the average speed is below 15mph, you're just asking for a fender bender.

So my feelings are mixed. I would enjoy a car with his gear onboard rather than a mickeymouse laptop solution, but most of the world are idiots.

Re:On the one hand

[homer_ca]

The Ford Sync (based on Windows CE) can connect to a bluetooth phone and read text messages with text-to-speech. You can even dictate outgoing messages with voice recognition. I have no idea how well it works.

Re:On the one hand

[PopeRatzo]

people who honestly think they can READ E-MAIL on the road are nuts.

So you probably would frown on my playing Team Fortress 2 while driving South on the Kennedy.

I mean, the traffic gets pretty bad here in Chicago during the summer, and you spend a fair amount of time just sitting, grinding your teeth. At least this way, I'd be working on my Pyro stats.

Re:On the one hand

[YrWrstNtmr]

So my feelings are mixed.

Mine aren't. I'm buying/building a jammer, illegal or not. I'd rather not have J. Random Asshat trying to read his email or check his eBay auction at 60mph next to me. Cellphones are already too bad. I'll turn his stuff off.

and J. Random will do that. I saw a girl the other day...weaving a little bit...on her Sidekick thing, texting with both thumbs, steering with her knees. The road ahead was prob 1/4 of her concentration.
Hang up and drive, you stupid coont.

Re:On the one hand

[deraj123]

I'm buying/building a jammer, illegal or not. I'd rather not have J. Random Asshat trying to read his email or check his eBay auction at 60mph next to me. Cellphones are already too bad. I'll turn his stuff off. So...you'd rather have J. Random Asshat trying to troubleshoot why his connection isn't working at 60mph next to you?

Re:On the one hand

[YrWrstNtmr]

Troubleshooting wouldn't be a whole lot different.
And hopefully, he'll give up after a few seconds, instead of continuing to drive and surf and be distracted.

In any case, s/he will be blocked. There is nothing in general web browsing/email that supersedes operating a car.
Nothing.
(personally, I'd include cellphone conversations and texting in that)

Re:On the one hand

[Anonymous Coward]

Hang up and drive, you stupid cunt. Fixed that for you.

Re:On the one hand

[Dan541]

Hello Mr asshat,

We were just talking about you.

Re:On the one hand

[Dan541]

Can't be much worse than me setting up my bluetooth headset before I make a call.

Who ever decided that handsfree kits are safer is an idiot, I'm proof that they are wrong.

Re:On the one hand

[Anonymous Coward]

people who honestly think they can READ E-MAIL on the road are nuts.

The device could read the email to you.

Then you can use voice control to reply.

But in the end it is still a distraction.

Re:On the one hand

[mdwh2]

Perhaps some cars have room for passengers?

If a driver was that desperate to be checking email as they drive, these sorts of mad people would already be out there doing it with mobile Internet connections.

Re:On the one hand

[houghi]

I can see it now: J. Random Asshat doing a reboot and thus killing his enguine and powersteering.

Re:On the one hand

[zakezuke]

Perhaps some cars have room for passengers?

If I'm transporting kids, you kind of have a point. If I'm transporting adults, I'd say use a damn laptop, which odds are has wifi onboard... though a repeater with an external antenna would be rather handy.

Re:On the one hand

[mdwh2]

If I'm transporting kids, you kind of have a point. If I'm transporting adults, I'd say use a damn laptop, which odds are has wifi onboard... though a repeater with an external antenna would be rather handy.

I think you're misunderstanding - obviously one needs to use a laptop, but the car provides wireless access, which laptops tend not to have (unless you have a mobile wireless connection). Reading your original post again, "I would enjoy a car with his gear onboard rather than a mickeymouse laptop solution", I think you're reading this as being some built in laptop option for the driver. It's not - it's a wireless access for passengers in the car to connect to with their own laptops etc.

I don't see what kids has to do with anything either. They'd need to use a laptop too.

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?

Re:Teen drivers will become a nightmare

[Gyga]

I know a girl who checks myspace, facebook, email, and various other things and also IMs while driving. She is scary.

Re:Teen drivers will become a nightmare

[Gyga]

I forgot to mention it was on her cellphone.

Re:Teen drivers will become a nightmare

[antirelic]

Actually, this provides a great opportunity in interface design. Computers have had a very little foot print on the inside of a car, outside of GPS. Equipping a car with the ability to access the internet opens up a whole new sector for specialized computer electronics. The real key will be designing an interface that is easy to use from behind the wheel. I wonder if Microsoft Sync will begin to take advantage of this?

Re:Teen drivers will become a nightmare

[NothingMore]

Myspace?? What your really should fear is all the WoW raids that will now take place on the freeway....

Re:Teen drivers will become a nightmare

[rfuilrez]

What would really be the key to it, is only allowing it while the vehicle is parked. Having it able to be used while the driver is moving the vehicle will be very dangerous. Even if they make it hands free, having the eyes off the road reading an internet page is a big no-no if you ask me.

Re:Teen drivers will become a nightmare

[YrWrstNtmr]

What would really be the key to it, is only allowing it while the vehicle is parked.

That is the way it is currently with regular video (TV/DVD) screens. Viewable from the drivers seat only while the trans is not in gear. A factory installation does this.
This 'law' does nothing to combat the aftermarket installers who will install whatever you pay for.

Re:Teen drivers will become a nightmare

[Tubal-Cain]

For some reason Mythbusters' full-size remote control cars come to mind...

Re:Teen drivers will become a nightmare

[rfuilrez]

That is a good point. However, if the internet is part of the vehicles main system as a standard feature, it can be a vehicle lockout. It's hard to stop people from putting a new screen in and attatching it to a DVD player / PS3 or whatever. But, if the internet is disabled at the main computer level, it would be many times harder to circumvent.

Re:Teen drivers will become a nightmare

[Torvaun]

Road raids?

Re:Teen drivers will become a nightmare

[rfuilrez]

Sorry, comment below was meant to be reply to this

That is a good point. However, if the internet is part of the vehicles main system as a standard feature, it can be a vehicle lockout. It's hard to stop people from putting a new screen in and attatching it to a DVD player / PS3 or whatever. But, if the internet is disabled at the main computer level, it would be many times harder to circumvent.

Re:Teen drivers will become a nightmare

[KGIII]

I would go so far as to suggest that the controls be on the passenger's side and that they angle AWAY from the driver. (The controls at least.) This won't help with idiots but it _may_ (hopefully) deter the average moron from trying to drive and fiddle with it. It probably won't but it may and that's all I can hope for. My wife and I (I still call her my g/f way too often so I get a lot of bruises) just finished a tour around the country not too long ago. We did a bit over 25,000 miles and stayed only in the United States of America. We did it in about six months time. (We're going to do it again this fall probably only we're likely to document it better and keep the site more up-to-date.) Anyhow, my point - I have one, is this... American drivers do not need additional distractions while they are behind the wheel. I have seen people reading newspapers, I have seen a motorcycle driver read a map, I have seen countless accidents. I have no statistics to back this up but I suspect that many of the accidents out there are truly caused by inattentive drivers. I would rather a legally drunk driver (.08??? HELL... I can still... Err... Never mind...) than a distracted driver. I would rather a drunk driver than a distracted and drunk driver. I dunno... I drove through the south and I observed more accidents due to what I believe to be a lack of attention than to anything else EXCEPT when I (I'm from Maine so, well, it was amusing to me) watched a pile of people crash during a rather decent ice storm in Oklahoma. (Note: I was amused because they were at least smart enough to go slow enough so that people didn't get very hurt, this was just last winter, and in my area of the world we are quite used to driving in deep snow, on ice, etc... So it was funny as all hell to me.) I guess, in reality, I'd rather they NOT do this. Safety is important to me, more so after seeing what has been done.

Re:Teen drivers will become a nightmare

[RiotingPacifist]

HUD, project an overlay onto a section of your windscreen (preferably somewhere fairly high). Aslong as its got low opacity and not in the middle of your view it shouldnt interfere with driving. Try having an IM/IRC window over your browser at about 20%, most of the time you looks straight through to the browser, but if you want to check your IM you just focus differently, not exactly the same so probably worth the goverment making sure its safe first (unless your a libritarian in which case youll probably just trust them because a company would never do anything bad right) but it gives you an idea of what they could do.

Re:Teen drivers will become a nightmare

[plantman-the-womb-st]

HUD, project an overlay onto a section of your windscreen (preferably somewhere fairly high). Fail, the driver would still not be looking at the road.

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.

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

[vux984]

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.

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 anyone will notice the additional impact of this feature.

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

[mazarin5]

I'm not sure anyone will notice the additional impact of this feature. No pun intended, right?

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

[clarkkent09]

Shaving in the car while commuting? Hmm, great idea, that should save me some time in the morning. Thanks!

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

[Godji]

OK, I have certainly seem most of these thing, but shaving?! Are you serious?

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

[2cute2kill]

Oh yeah, check Atlanta in the morning. Men and their electric razors.

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

[warriorpostman]

I also smoke in my car. It's the only thing that keeps me from putting my fist through the window when I'm in traffic. If I had wifi in the car, I might smoke less!

[glares at old man shuffling past with a walker]

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

[homer_ca]

Bah, that's easy with an electric razor. Let's see someone try it with shaving cream and a Bic.

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

[Anonymous Coward]

Is it wrong to have assumed when you said 'flipped the car and left a husband and two young kids behind' that you meant 'left them behind on the asphalt because they weren't wearing their seatbelts'?

Maybe I was just considering your sentence from the wrong angle.

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

[Anonymous Coward]

If you are driving a Pinto, I'd say you already took a hit from behind.

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

[PopeRatzo]

I also smoke in my car.

Hell, back in the day, I could roll a joint, tune the radio and try to cop a feel from my girlfriend all without spilling a drop from the bottle of beer I was holding between my knees or shifting from my "Detroit lean".

During the winter, I'd do all of the above while doing donuts in the frozen Meigs Field parking lot. Those were the days when a Chicago cop would look the other way as long as you were white, polite and had a folded up twenty next to your drivers license. If you had the bad fortune to not be of European extraction, you could expect to end up in a tank with a bunch of very nasty folks, only after catching a severe beating from the extremely racist cops. And you'd better hope there were no open murder cases, or you could expect to be tortured until you confessed.

Life was so much simpler then. Now, if I so much as go through a yellow light I end up with a snapshot of myself in the mail along with a bill for $100. The cops will still let you slide, but not for anything less than a fifty. And since there is much more diversity in the Chicago halls of power, they have to be a lot more careful of who they beat.

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

[Anonymous Coward]

I once worked with a dark-haired guy whose electric razor's battery died while he was halfway to work. That made for an interesting look!

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

[Firethorn]

A very bad idea.

A very bad idea that's quite possible already.

All you need is a computer with a cellular nic. Offering wireless in the car(presumably tied in through the onstar system), the most likely effect is simply to increase signal strength and therefore bandwidth.

If it's like onstar, then the rates for the service are going to be high enough(at least initially) that 99% of people won't take it. Why? The cellular NIC plan would be much cheaper, and available everywhere, not just in the car.

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

[Zombie]

guy whose electric razor's battery died while he was halfway to work

What a wimp. Real men shave with a blade while driving.

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

[dadman]

LOL! I just love this!

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

[Torvaun]

Yes. You should have assumed that they were not present in the car, and are therefore still alive, as opposed to the makeup applying driver.

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

[Xyrus]

Unless that impact happens to be up your ass. I'm pretty sure you'd notice that.

~X~

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

[iamhigh]

Shaving in the car while commuting? Hmm, great idea, that should shave some time off in the morning. Thanks! Fixed that for you.

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

[Anonymous Coward]

id imagine this is for passengers?
i set up an EvDO connection on a WRTSL54GS running OpenWRT for my wife while we're on roadtrips.

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

[vux984]

Unless that impact happens to be up your ass. I'm pretty sure you'd notice that.

My point was actually that we should really be banning all those other harmful and widespread activities instead of singling out this relatively new, and for the next few years at least, nearly insignificant one.

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

[evilandi]

Er... surely the point is that it can be used by the passengers, or the driver only when stopped?

Here in the UK you're allowed to install whatever you like, but you can't have distracting stuff (TV/DVD screens, for example) in view of the driver whilst driving. The police will pull you over in a heartbeat if they see you moving with anything like that visible to the driver. Heck, you're not even allowed to use a mobile phone whilst driving unless you have a hands-free unit. There are also quite strict restrictions on what GPS displays can and can't do.

I really can't imagine any car company is going to fit anything more interactive than a GPS that is visible to the driver. Even if you had one country with stupidly lax laws, they wouldn't be able to sell it anywhere else.

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

[plantman-the-womb-st]

The point folks seem to be missing is that this is just a toy to help sell new cars. Seriously, I drive a 15 year old car that I give regular maintenance (not repairs) and has less than 150,000 miles on it. According to my mechanic, it should go another 100,000 easy. Given that it looks nearly exactly like the newer cars (curvy and bubble like), has side impact beams, air bags, all wheel drive and the like why would I buy something new? Especially when a new care in the same class would cost half a year salary and this one is paid for? No big advancements in safety features, no engineering break throughs in recent years, no real increase in gas milage (hybrids aside, mine gets about 35 per gallon). What would make me upgrade...

ZOMG! WIFI! oooohhh! OnStar! wow..... TOYS!

It's a gimic, no more no less. The fact that's it's a gimic that will get people killed is just icing.

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

[pimpimpim]

Depending on the local geography and city spread, creating a decent laptop-friendly train network might be a solution. I live in Germany and they are currently building a wi-fi network on the high speed train tracks. I don't use it yet because I find it a bit too expensive and I don't mind being off-line for a while. I do use their power plugs (one for every two seats) and manage to do quite a bit of work on the train. During rush hour, you will see A LOT of people using their laptops, writing letters, doing excel stuff, or just watching a movie. And you actually arrive at work / home again in a relaxed shape. At the moment, for every place where I have to go alone, the train is actually just as expensive as the cost of gas when going by car.

I understand that the US has a bit different network of cities and more spread housing (suburbs. etc), so switching might be problematic, but I think that the harsh reality of oil and energy prices will catch up with this and it a better public transport system will be necessary.

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

[PhilJC]

If Chrysler are going to install internet in cars then they should also be forced to install something along the lines of a SmartDrive (http://www.smartdrive.net/) camera. That way when a driver fcks up and crashes then the video of them being a total arse can be emailed direct to the cops within seconds. The police can then decide whether the driver deserves an ambulance or not.

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

[intheshelter]

Although I understand your point the simple fact is more surveillance does not mean compliance to the law, and only opens opportunities for misuse by gov't. It wouldn't be long before the gov't would be able to eavesdrop on you without a warrant under revised FISA rules. More surveillance is not the answer.

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.

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

[xgr3gx]

I know really, most people can't Fscking drive well as it is, let alone with all the distractions.
People who text mesg or read (yes I've seen people reading books or newspapers behind the wheel) while driving deserve to drive into a bridge pillar.

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

[Firethorn]

no real increase in gas milage (hybrids aside, mine gets about 35 per gallon).

Arguably, given that your vehicle has AWD, mileage has decreased for your class of vehicles.

But yeah, the only thing that got me to 'upgrade' out of my car was having it totaled...

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

[DaFallus]

You can already mount a TV screen in your car. You can already surf the web on an iPhone or Blackberry or whatever while driving. Its not like this idea is anything new. I'm sorry to hear that someone died because she decided her makeup was more important than driving her car. I don't mean to sound cold, but not everyone makes such stupid decisions. I'm pretty sure that the type of person who would surf the web from LA to NYC is the same type of person who would watch DVDs or send text messages or surf the net on their phone while driving from LA to NYC. The technology is not the problem. People using the technology like complete idiots and a complete lack of the ability to assess risk is the problem.

Personally, I've been waiting for this technology for years. I'd love to be able to set up a streaming internet radio station that I and my family/friends could connect to via car radios.

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

[PhilJC]

In defence of SmartDrive it shouldn't be tarred with the "big brother is watching" brush as it acts more like a black box recording purely the 15 seconds before and after an accident rather than being continuously on and recording. That way you get all the juicy "this is why you crashed" data without having to sit through hours of inane drivel.

That said I'm sure it wouldn't be long before that 30 seconds of recording becomes a minute, which in turn becomes an hour followed by a day until we find ourselves just streaming direct to the web for any Tom, Dick or Sally to watch and critique. Perhaps with Chryslers new feature they'd even be able to critique your driving whilst they're driving which is even more scary.

Maybe its just time to stay off the roads.

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

[intheshelter]

Maybe this could be turned into a business opportunity. For a fee you could allow people to monitor your driving and for premium accounts they can actually talk to you and annoy you with backseat driving instructions.

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

[trytoguess]

Course the obvious counter argument is, what if the makeup woman survived, but ended up killing a perfectly smart driver instead?

wow

[jjm496]

giving the idiots on my local streets even more ways to distract themselves while driving is such a great idea. I would hate for any of them to get bored. Especially the girl that almost rear-ended me yesterday while using one hand to talk on her phone, the other to eat an apple, and was using whole body movements as emphasis for what she was saying on the phone.

Now, she'll be able to get a chrysler and maybe figure out how to use her toes to type and/or work a mouse so she can surf the net at the same time.

Wish I was so multi-talented.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

New meaning to "internet crashed"

[pwnies]

This will give new meaning to, "My internet connection crashed"

Re:New meaning to "internet crashed"

[GroeFaZ]

This story will give new meaning to "regurgitate worn jokes and cliches"

Cry "cheetos!" and let slip the car analogies of slashdot.

Here are a few pointers:

War driving.
Beowulf cluster
Hot grits, applied to a statue of Natalie Portman, naked and petrified.
bot nets (don't forget to take a jab at Microsoft)
Thankfully, you've got crashes covered.
Information super highway
Tubes and trucks
0x3A28213A
0x6339392C
0x7363682E

Re:New meaning to "internet crashed"

[GaryOlson]

Cry "cheetos!" and let slip the car analogies of slashdot.

If magnets were attached to Shakespeare's corpse and his casket was wound with copper wire, he would now be generating enough electricity to light his Globe theater.

Re:New meaning to "internet crashed"

[Bonobo_Unknown]

Never underestimate the bandwidth of a speeding truck full of DAT tapes.
or something like that...

Gives new meaning to...

[jjm496]

"Driven to Distraction".

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.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Duh

[taustin]

The mobile hotspot, called UConnect Web, would be the first such technology from any automaker."

That would be because it's a bad idea and other automakesare aren't as stupid.

Yeah but it's a Chrysler

[clarkkent09]

It's typical recently of American automakers to offer this kind of gimmicks instead of making decent quality cars. What's next, a built in coffee maker and a toaster oven so you can make your commute even more suicidal

Re:Yeah but it's a Chrysler

[roc97007]

I vote "making your commute even more suicidal" as the phrase of the day.

Re:Yeah but it's a Chrysler

[wagnerrp]

I was going to make a comment about Chrysler being a German automaker, but they got spun back into a US-based company last year.

Re:Yeah but it's a Chrysler

[value_added]

It's typical recently of American automakers to offer this kind of gimmicks instead of making decent quality cars.

I'm not sure it's a gimmick, but to the extent it is, I'm sure that Chryser will, in typical American automaker fashion, implement it badly.

That means owners will get probably end up with a square woodgrained plastic panel insert emblazoned with a metal "The Intarweb" logo (in a cursive script and painted to resemble chrome), that contains a few oversized cheap-ass rocker switches, only the one of which can be reached without leaning far out of your seat, and possibly some light indicators that glow too brightly at night. Luxury model owners can opt for a foot pedal switch, an extra steering column lever, or an in-dash touch screen that displays garishly coloured pie charts, columnar graphs that update every second.

In similarly typical fashion, the rest us will have to sit back and wonder why they just didn't buy a Honda.

Re:Yeah but it's a Chrysler

[pipingguy]

I'm not sure it's a gimmick, but to the extent it is, I'm sure that Chryser will, in typical American automaker fashion, implement it badly.

You mean there'll be 17 Wii holders onboard but not a pot to piss in while playing?

Re:Yeah but it's a Chrysler

[sBox]

The next question is what provider is going to be tied to this connection. Smart ./ers could have their existing 3G connection shared among all passengers with a little equipment investment, of course. What would really be interesting is if Chrysler provided a PCMCIA port to plug in your existing card with say a vendor provided a simple OS on a memory card that would allow choice between providers. This would allow bandwidth upgrades as the available technology progresses. Add a USB port could be used to connect a music player, keyboard, whatever. Then think of using Internet phone service and/or having something like Grand Central to manage your calls. I know all this is pure fantasy considering the lock by the Telcos, but I know several people who might enjoy having this convenience as they spend a great deal of their business days travelling.

No Officer...

[nick_davison]

"No officer, I'm not stealing WiFi while sitting in my car with my pants off. I just bought a Chrysler."

Given that the idiot in Toronto was half naked in public and surfing kiddie porn yet got arrested for the stealing WiFi, this should be a perfectly watertight defense.

You may notice: I am not a lawyer.

I'd rather just get where I'm going.

[pudding7]

That's why I ride a motorcycle. You can sit there in traffic for two hours surfing and shopping and viewing porn all you want. I'll be at home.

Of course, as soon as I get there I'll just be web surfing, shopping, and viewing porn. But at least I'll be at home.

Re:I'd rather just get where I'm going.

[Anonymous Coward]

Wow, that's pretty interesting. Maybe you could find a thread about Windows and talk about how you use Linux. Or maybe a thread about guitars where you can discuss how good you are with a keyboard. Feel free to pop into the next thread about astronomy and let us know why you enjoy scuba diving.

Re:I'd rather just get where I'm going.

[ModemRat]

That's why I ride a motorcycle. You can sit there in traffic for two hours surfing and shopping and viewing porn all you want. I'll be at home.

Ditto. I wish lane splitting were legal in AZ, but when I'm sitting in 110F in my leathers I declare lane splitting season open.

Re:I'd rather just get where I'm going.

[tehcyder]

You're right, there's absolutely no connection between the four wheeled motorised vehicles in TFA and the two wheeled motorised vehicle mentioned by the GP. None at all. I just thank God he didn't say he rode a trike, the next thing you know slashdot would implode out of the sheer illogicality of it.

Re:I'd rather just get where I'm going.

[laffer1]

Not to mention that it will be dangerous to be on a motorcycle with all these people surfing while driving.

Too close for comfort, but not for signal...

[SuperKendall]

I know what brand of car I'll be tailgating from now on, laptop in hand! I can just see one now, struggling to get over to its exit with a knot of fifteen or so Priuses clustered too close to let it move.

Or instead of tailgating, perhaps I'll try to anticipate where the driver is going and maintain a short lead with my Pringles Can exhaust mod pointed square at it.

Re:Too close for comfort, but not for signal...

[Jherek Carnelian]

Obligatory XKCD:
http://www.xkcd.com/440/

Re:Too close for comfort, but not for signal...

[supernova_hq]

Damnit, i was just about to put that link there!!!

On the other hand

[davmoo]

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?

If so, then you should be taking public transportation, because obviously you'd never be able to pay attention to your driving with something like this in your car.

I'll echo another reply...the reason Chrysler is the first with this is because everyone else has already decided its a bad idea.

Wow, it must be a bad idea...

[roc97007]

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

Re:Wow, it must be a bad idea...

[Anonymous Coward]

Not stupid, just dangerous. What is stupid is that we geeks all still want it, despite the safety risks.

Re:Wow, it must be a bad idea...

[maxume]

I think American Idol is stupid, but I can clearly see that it was a good idea.

Re:Wow, it must be a bad idea...

[Anonymous Coward]

Speak for your fucking self. I think it's awesome.

Re:Wow, it must be a bad idea...

[superdana]

Geeks think everything is 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.

Re:Carpooling

[Grimbleton]

Legislature should be a last resort.

Another way to get yourself killed

[GroeFaZ]

1. Check www.darwinawards.com while driving
2. Drive off a 100m bridge
3. Irony!!

Re:Another way to get yourself killed

[Anonymous Coward]

4. Get it submitted to FARK
5. Everyone will still say it's not ironic
6. Kill yourself!!!

Re:Another way to get yourself killed

[rocketPack]

4. ???
5. Profit!!!

Re:Another way to get yourself killed

[GroeFaZ]

*VROOOMMMMMM*

That was the joke, speeding past you in an internet-enabled Chrysler.

Re:Another way to get yourself killed

[Anonymous Coward]

er... no

Per the late great George Carlin, this would be coincidence.

If you were KILLED by someone surfing darwinawards.com, THAT would be irony.

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!

Re:Missing the point

[ForestGrump]

These have already been implemented.

1. You can buy cars with integrated microphones and bluetooth. Just call through the cell phone. GM offers Onstar, which is like that but instead uses their network (and you get charged extra for the calls)

2. GPS systems can already get realtime traffic from satellite services such as XM and Sirius. There is also traffic information broadcast in FM freqs.

3. Call your kids and have them do it. That's what they are for.

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:Missing the point

[Repton]

Come on people! Dream big!

Mesh network highway chatrooms!

Re:Missing the point

[GroeFaZ]

How about setting the thermostat in your house when you are 30 miles away?

Come on people! Dream big!

I'll let that stand on its own.

Re:Missing the point

[Anonymous Coward]

Come on people! Dream big!

Wake the fuck up and keep your eyes on the road.

Re:Missing the point

[Anonymous Coward]

Or even better, the little ones will have access to YouTube during road trips!

Re:Missing the point

[GaryOlson]

While shadowing a Chrysler (or better yet a cluster of Chryslers), launch a broad spectrum attack against fbi.gov. Measure response time and methodology.

Re:Missing the point

[coopaq]

"Come on people! Dream big!"

Put a big dummy in the driver seat and remote control your car from home.

A little service name driverd to handle remote commands via udp. Streaming video.

Ya know. Wire up the power steering, brake, accelerator...

Rocket launchers, pie throwers , mega phone

Re:Missing the point

[R3d M3rcury]

You can buy cars with integrated microphones and bluetooth. Just call through the cell phone. GM offers Onstar, which is like that but instead uses their network (and you get charged extra for the calls) Okay, I may not be up on my latest hep new phone stuff. Heck, I still have a landline.

But isn't one of the theories behind things like VOIP is that calls can forward around easier. So I have one phone number and it doesn't matter if I'm in my car or at home? I don't need a separate phone and number for each?

Besides cheap phone calls, isn't that supposed to be one of the cool things about VOIP? Or have I missed something?

GPS systems can already get realtime traffic from satellite services such as XM and Sirius. There is also traffic information broadcast in FM freqs. I think the XM/Sirius ones require a subscription. Don't know about the FM ones.

Actually, I had an entertaining scheme many years ago. Essentially, the idea was that cars know how fast they're going and, with GPS, can make a pretty decent guess as to what road they are. Reporting that--obviously anonymously--to a central system which would combine that and other reports together to determine what the current speed is on the road you're on and report it to others.

It's one of those Napster things, of course. The more people who report, the better the information is, which encourages more people to report which gives better information, etc. How to kick-start it (and make money) was the question.

The advantage is that it doesn't require anybody to install sensors on the road. If you take surface streets, you'll know what traffic is like ahead of you.

Anyway, the point is that your car can send information out as well as receiving it. The examples you give all require somebody to actually generate a traffic report for where you live.

Heck, consider obvious things like reporting that your car has broken down or has had an accident to all the appropriate people.

Call your kids and have them do it. That's what they are for. This one I'd agree with, but I don't actually have kids. A better example might be ordering groceries/fast food on the way home.

Re:Missing the point

[Vegeta99]

br34k3r br34k3r th1$ 1$ V1Kt0R Ch4rl1E l00k1n6 f0r 4 s4m s411y f0r s0m3 uhh.... w4r dr1V1n d0wn @ th3 T34k3tt1e Truck St0P??

0mG \/1aG..rA TRUCK!!!! R4M H1M!

Re:Missing the point

[iamhigh]

3. Call your kids and have them do it. That's what they are for. Yep, a quick google confirms that any geek should be able to control their A/C from the cell phone by now. (no I don't have one... and yes, I will be purchasing one of these very soon) http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/homeheating/7375869/detail.html

Re:Missing the point

[Anonymous Coward]

I dont have kids, I'm a Slashdotter you insensitive clod!

Re:Missing the point

[Kuvter]

Come on people! Dream big! This is /. where people speculate and criticize bigger!

For /.'ers who don't RFTA, when the summary says, shop, e-mail, pron, it's assumed the article mentioned those. And it's time for retort!

Driver Distraction???

[Nonillion]

What about all the latest brow beating that has been going on with "Distracted Driving" laws. Wouldn't this just give the police (who use cell phones, 2-way radios and laptops) another unwarranted reason to pull you over and ticket you for revenue generation purposes? All I want is to make it from point A - B. We already have enough things taking away our attention from the road as it is.

Is she hot? (no text)

[Anonymous Coward]

blah blah blah

So...

[Vectronic]

Now they have another reason to sieze your car crossing the border, or when you get a ticket.

"License, registration, hard drive and peripherals, and plug this into that jack there please?!"

Not to mention tracking, its WiFi, blip*blip*blip... hidden cameras, or just tapping into the onboard ones, and rear-view cameras...

Conpiracy, blah blah... but i'll be expecting those headlines...

Re:So...

[afidel]

How about the owner uses those same features, have a hidden camera with motion detection. If you don't hit a hidden switch in 30 seconds it sends a video clip over the cellular connection to a site of your choice. I already have friends that do this for home security systems so extending it to the car is fairly obvious.

I can't wait

[hyades1]

Lovely. Some jackass is going to wreck my car because he's trying to read an e-mail from his boss telling him if he wrecks the company car again, he's going to get fired.

And the spam will be 'way too predictable..."Make her scream loud as you split her tail open with your huge, supercharged V-8!"

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.

Re:real mobile access points...

[geekoid]

Especially if you could call that jerk wad that just cut you off!

I developed a tool that cross referenced License plates with phone numbers in the 90s.
Had a working set up and everything. Then I couldn't stave off the thoughts of certain inevitability. So I shelve it. A few years later California stopped making that information public.

If I could ahve put those thoughts off I could have been rich.

Re:real mobile access points...

[Torvaun]

I think you need to pick a term other than "killer app".

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:Will a drivers surf history be evidence?

[Anonymous Coward]

Distraction doesn't change who's at fault. If someone crashes into you, they're liable no matter what they were doing at the time.

Re:Will a drivers surf history be evidence?

[Belial6]

We can talk about that after we can get their radio records, and voice recordings of any conversations that take place in the car...

Re:Will a drivers surf history be evidence?

[Anonymous Coward]

I got in trouble this way once... my car gave me up.

Interestingly, you can in some cases subpoena their cars driving history from the onboard systems.

This includes information like
last time the Anti-lock brakes were on, and for how long
The highest speed reached and when.
The average speed, average trip time, and probably at least 10 trips worth of detailed history.
The cars computer knows if you like to speed and it can graph your acceleration curve to see if you are a lead foot.
a lot more too. And that was in the late 90's.

Wow...

[Perseid]

"Pull over n00b. WTF?"
"Dumb driver is dumb."
"The air freshener is a lie."
"In Soviet Russia, old lady rear-ends you."

Both driving and using the Internet will soon become unbearable.

Re:Wow...

[Red Flayer]

"In Soviet Russia, old lady rear-ends you."

How can you mess up such a simple meme?

That should read:

In Soviet Russia, you rear-end old lady*.

* As evidenced by numerous .ru sites my friend likes to frequent late at night after my^H^Hhis wife goes to sleep.

mesh network

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't think it's about surfing the web while you drive as opposed to having a free adhoc mesh network infrastructure overnight in any city that's got traffic in it (all of them). it's all the rage in MAN talking circles.

Hmm...

[Anonymous Coward]

Perhaps you could use adult dating sites such as http://www.swfswingers.com and hook up much more quickly while your on the road.

(that was a joke) LOL!!

What browser? How secure?

[Pincus]

Will a clever exploit be able to shut down your car on the freeway? Or open your air bags?

Have you ever thought

[Anonymous Coward]

rush hour on the 405 Freeway might be more bearable if you'd just pay attention to your driving? If everybody paid attention to wtf they were doing, there would be fewer accidents and traffic would move along better. Just drive! Surf the net when and IF you get home.

It's 3g based so what is the subscription rate????

[Joe The Dragon]

It's 3g based so what is the subscription rate? $30 a month? $70 a month? with a 2 year plan?

Re:Great, one more distraction...

[cleatsupkeep]

I don't know how I would react if a guy rear ended me, and when we were getting out of the cars to exchange information, his pants were down and there was no one else in the car. I'd be a little perplexed to say the least. And then jealous.

Restrictions on teen drivers

[Anonymous Coward]

Starting in 2010, teen drivers in California will be prohibited from looking at porn while driving.

No need to use cell phone while driving anymore...

[infernalC]

...use VoIP instead. Much safer.

Can think of at least one positive use.

[AceCaseOR]

I definitely agree that having Wi-Fi in your car is definitely a bad idea. However, I can think of legitimately positive use for it - your GPS can use it got get download new maps whenver it needs to when you go to a new area that you haven't already gotten maps for (like when I occasionally have to drive down to Salem, for example).

Re:Can think of at least one positive use.

[geekoid]

Is your opinion definite?
I can think of lots of uses for it, most of which would be for the passengers.

Re:Can think of at least one positive use.

[AceCaseOR]

Nah, it's not definite. Actually, after made my post, the usefulness of the WiFi for passengers came to mind as well.

Re:Can think of at least one positive use.

[dave420]

You can hook up your GPS to your phone and do that anyway, today. Or get a 3G cellphone with built-in GPS and Wi-Fi.

So what....

[Godman]

we all drive around with ethernet cables hooked to rollers on the side of the freeway?

Or maybe it'll use the cellular network, but I don't see many people paying mobile phone prices to access the internet...

Someone more observant than I maybe want to point out the technical details?

depending on what time you drive

[commodoresloat]

KCRW is the answer. And at certain times KPFK has some great music shows as well. And KXLU is hit or miss....

Re:depending on what time you drive

[doranb]

KCRW is good at times, though it too often feels like their selling artists on behalf of the labels. Thanks for plugging KPFK (I'm a programmer there), but the only music show I really enjoy is Travel Tips for Atzlan, which airs when I'm not driving. I used to love KXLU, but its coverage is horrible.

Re:depending on what time you drive

[hondo77]

Yes, because KCRW is all things to all people. Puh-leez...

Re:depending on what time you drive

[commodoresloat]

on KPFK I like the Cosmic Barrio show too, and there's some good stuff late at night on weeknights occasionally though I don't remember the names of the programs. As for KCRW I think you're right and most of the time I don't want to like them but I have to hand it to them because I more often than not really like their "hand-picked" selections, and I've learned a lot of new music from them. But about 10 years ago the station was pretty much raked over the coals by some of the local media for a "payola" style arrangement with some of the labels. I think the media distorted it (the charge was led by the New Times Los Angeles, go figure). I don't think anything has changed in that regard....

...And this is a good idea why?

[Anonymous Coward]

...And this is a good idea why?

What about chatting with nearby drivers . . .

[Anonymous Coward]

you could speak your mind with more than one finger.

Simple fix for people's concerns

[Anonymous Coward]

on driving while web surfing - they could just disable the Internet link if they detect the car was moving - the GPS in hertz cars does something similar.

Of course some idiots will hack it etc. but those people will be handful.

I already have a computer in my truck

[Anonymous Coward]

I already got a car computer with wifi and a verizon wireless wlan card in my ram 1500. I haven't crashed into anything because I have internet in my vehicle. I just do what I need to do when parked then switch modes to gps or music before leaving my parking spot.

Maybe I'm not getting the full effect. I guess it's because I have a car computer in my truck.

Drivers are for driving

[glittalogik]

Isn't it obvious? This feature isn't for the driver to distract themselves, it's for your moms to lure you out of their basements and keep you distracted while they drive you to the countryside, boot you out of the car at the edge of the woods, and leave you to your own devices in a cloud of exhaust and smoking rubber. Your final Twitter message will be "Mom? Mom? I fell out, Wh&*(%#@*&($ ###NO CARRIER"

Re:Drivers are for driving

[supernova_hq]

Of course the ending to their sentence would be "Damnit, she took the wifi with her!"

Re:Drivers are for driving

[lusiphur69]

No worries, you still have Teddy.

Cars should be hot spots

[geekoid]

I always thought putting wi-fi and repeaters in cars would be a great way to instigate a wi-fi mesh.

You could also use it as an 'Autonet' where cars could communicate information, and someone in car a in Tarzana, could communicate with car b i Huntington beach, and it never hit that internet. . . so to speak.

Re:Cars should be hot spots

[Anonymous Coward]

because limiting our network is something good?? :S we already have the internet, man! why downgrade? ok.. maybe for some sort of traffic-related sensors but thats about it. :P

So...

[jellomizer]

We will get an internet connection except for what people really want in a car.
In no particular order (usually based on personal preference)
Performance
Reliability
Gas milage
Style

And people wonder why Toyota sells more cars then the American models.

Exactly

[caitsith01]

Agree.

How about simply having a wireless connection available even when away from home or a local base-station? That alone would make this extremely useful.

Or, how about being a passenger? On a long trip it would be fantastic to be able to kill time surfing the web.

Everyone is assuming this means you have to use said connection whilst actually driving the vehicle. But the uses when not driving (either as a passenger or when the vehicle is stopped) are many and obvious.

Yay innuendo

[hemorex]

WARNING: When downloading porn, may come to a screeching halt.

Ways NOT to have this be a bad idea

[Neffirithion]

Well I love the idea of a VOIP call or something like that from my car... But the other implications that are caused by this are terrible... I've read amazon, WoW raids... No one wants these happening in the car next to them while traveling 60+ MPH... so why not have the Wi-Fi only functional while the car is in park? Or even better... let your specialized electronics stuff (GPS running via IP and whatnot) to have a specific MAC address that isn't restricted while driving while say your laptop would have to be registered with the car's computer... and as long as the car was in drive it would restrict the mac address...

Re:Ways NOT to have this be a bad idea

[mysidia]

It seems like an undesirable restriction.

It doesn't really make sure noone can drive while surfing either. There are of course standalone 3G devices; cards you can plug into a laptop for a wireless connection over the Cellular networks, such as Sprint or Verizon's.

You may have passengers in the vehicle who should be able to use it while it's moving.

Or you want to have laptop streaming audio (Internet Radio), or downloading a large file while you're driving, of course you won't try to look at the screen and maybe read those documents until you park -- but you may have software on the laptop for convering the text to speech!

There are safe ways for a driver to use an internet connection, even while the vehicle is moving.

They are the types of things you expect to be able to do with an internet connection in your car.

It would actually be nicer if it wasn't Wi-Fi. Due to obvious security reasons, and the extra wireless hop.

Seeing it as a given that every wireless hop, especially on unlicensed frequencies, reduces the reliability of the connection, and introduces more opportunities for outside interference.

It's so easy to get patch cables from point A to point B in a car, that it seems to make much more sense to have the 3G on the licensed frequencies be the only wireless hop, and use FastEthernet Cat5 patch cables to get from a CPE in the car to the notebook(s)

Think further ahead..

[ribit]

A lot of posts here sound like when they wanted to add radios to cars... Think of when we have semi-autonomous cars that take over the driving for you when on busy freeways... perfect opportunity for wifi. Think of all the non-visual web applications.. Think of being a bored passenger, and being happy the bah-humbuggers of Slashdot weren't able to prevent you having internet access...

Already available.

[Anonymous Coward]

I prefer an iPhone windshield mount. Puts the phone within range of the steering wheel such that I can manipulate the phone without sacrificing vehicle control. Why bother with an integrated unit?

I stopped shaving decades ago, but...

[billstewart]

Bah - a shaving brush and mug with the shaving soap that you add hot water to and lather up is far nicer than shaving cream. You can get one of those cigarette-lighter-powered coffee-pot heaters to heat the water for your shaving mug.

And while I might be approaching old-geezer-ness, it *was* a retro way to shave back when I started using it, and I never went as hard-core as using a straight razor, which would be a *really* bad thing to do in a car :-) I do actually use a razor occasionally to trim my beard or mustache, and every five or ten years I need to buy a new one because they no longer make refills for the kind of razor I'd bought the last time.

The 405's an exception to that

[billstewart]

Public transportation? The 405's in LA, and isn't in the direction that most of the public transportation goes :-)

I worked on a gig down there back in the late 80s. The distance from the 101 / 405 intersection to LAX is 18 miles, which is six times the distance across Manhattan. I'd rather drive six times across Manhattan at just about any time of day, because it's faster... Maybe things have improved since then, but I doubt it. You're going to be bumper-to-bumper at a long slow crawl, might as well do something with your time.

Re:The 405's an exception to that

[ThePeeWeeMan]

I think the submitter might be referring to the 405 in Washington, which is roughly parallel to 5 (although it doesn't go through Seattle) and there isn't any real public transportation that goes the entire length of 405.

(speaking as someone who now lives in the Seattle/Bellevue area and takes public transit quite a bit)

Re:The 405's an exception to that

[Anonymous Coward]

The linked article is from the LA Times, the 405 in LA is famous for being jammed all the time... and you think they're talking about a little stretch of highway in Washington? Right, that makes perfect sense.

...

If you're a passenger

[Anonymous Coward]

Go ahead and use it. If you're a passenger though. Here in Japan, if you're the driver, it's illegal to use a cell phone without a hands-free set, and just as illegal to check your e-mail on a "device". Sat-Nav systems won't allow you to operate them (without a third-party by-pass kit) if the vehicle's moving. Amazingly, most people abide by the law.

This is the best they got?

[glitch23]

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."

When many manufacturers are coming up with ways to reduce dependence on oil and gasoline we have Chrysler with no other ideas than to give people $2.99 gas (only a gimmick) with no future plans of any type of hybrid technology BUT we can get wi-fi access in our car. Woohoo.

Re:This is the best they got?

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/news/2008/163_news080617_chrysler_cuts_prices_on_hybrids/index.html

Now you did say ANY type of hybrid technology ;)

Sorry to be a spelling nazi but...

[Anonymous Coward]

I believe it's spelled "teh suxx0rz"

Security Issue?

[Evenstone]

Will it be networked with the vehicle's computer? I hope not. Could be the first crash caused by a worm :)

Illegal in California, at least in Front Seat

[billstewart]

For the last couple of years, it's been illegal to use a computer or video system in the front seat of your car except for navigation. So you can have a GPS display or a camera showing the curb as you're backing up, but DVD players are illegal.

I think the rules are draconian enough that even your front-seat passenger can't be using a laptop, though there are loopholes for devices physically mounted to the car (e.g. police-car laptop holders.)

Having them in the back seat for your kids to watch is just fine (probably aids safety, because you've heard the words to that movie they keep playing over and over enough times that you either tune them out or can say them out loud to your kids without actually needing to engage any brain cells.)

Re:Illegal in California, at least in Front Seat

[Stevenovitch]

Last Time I was in CA traffic court the rule was it can't be in view of the driver.

Dumb, dumber, senator

[Zombie]

Sen. Joe Simitian [...] introduced legislation prohibiting drivers from using any "mobile service device" [...] while driving.

I guess that description would include GPS navigation devices and the car radio ?

Re: Dumb, dumber, senator

[toetagger]

I'm not sure, but doesn't the "movile service device" also include a car?

Monopoly anyone?

[plasmacutter]

So will the FTC be heavily regulating them until a competitor (or preferrably 5) emerges?

from what I'm seeing this will be just like on-star, except you're paying for a general service which has nothing to do with the automobiles they're selling.

Chrysler is tying a single mobile broadband carrier to their brand name.

Re:It's 3g based so what is the subscription rate?

[plasmacutter]

my guess is 100 to 150 a month PLUS metering.

they're tying a single service to their cars rather than offering a provider neutral means to wire them to the net.

Great.

[kinabrew]

People on cell phones already swerve into my lane too often.

I can't wait to see how much they swerve when they're watching porn.

Re:Is she hot? (no text)

[Anonymous Coward]

No she is not hot. Short, big nose, bad acne, annoying laugh, ugly badly bleached hair ...

no it's better than that..

[plasmacutter]

Sen. Joe Simitian [...] introduced legislation prohibiting drivers from using any "mobile service device" [...] while driving.

I guess that description would include GPS navigation devices and the car radio ?

No, its more anti-competitive than that. it bans XM/Sirius while leaving the car radio alone because XM/Sirius is an actively purchased "service" while the car radio is merely a broadcast receiver.

ObXKCD-link

[Zombie]

http://xkcd.com/440/

Wonderful!

[AkaKaryuu]

I can play WoW _that_ much more now.

That doesn't take your eyes, really.

[Etherwalk]

Why on earth wouldn't a computer be able to read new email to you?

Oh, Viagra spam in the morning!

I can't wait

[picoj]

until they provide a hands-free kit so that I can drive with both hands on the wheel and still watch porn.

What was it .....

[Anonymous Coward]

that article a few days ago said about "multitasking"?!?!?!?

This bodes ill

[baomike]

Think about a driver talking on the phone, (scary enough)
Then think about surfing the net while driving.
It aught to do wonders for trauma physicians and mass transit.

Hold on a second

[mmxsaro]

I'm willing to bed the browser/hotspot/etc. in the car will only be active when the car isn't moving (when transmission is in park) like those navigation headunits sold by Pioneer and whatnot. I also bet there will be a workaround for it too if you're technically able, why not.

I'd like this feature to be available in automobiles so I could stream some online music, like from protonradio.com.

Oh Irony!

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm guessing you own a korean car.

Just what the 405 needs

[JohnsonWax]

I live down by the El Toro Y where the 405 and 5 merge. 26 lanes wide. Surfing the web is the last thing we need.

Mmmmm...Car Porn

[lazyDog86]

No body text. Shot my wad on the subject line.

They just invented...

[Anonymous Coward]

...worlds biggest microwave oven... one 7 humans can fit in.

They got nothin' on us!

[Gazzonyx]

psh... amateur. I'll be impressed when she can do all that while eating a burger, sipping a shake and enjoying a smoke. The key is to steer with your knees ;)

Re:They got nothin' on us!

[Gyga]

But you need your knees to hold your McDonald's Coffee o' Death(R)(TM)(C).

Old skool tech, FTW!

[Gazzonyx]

This is one of those times where old skool tech is called for. Follow him. Eventually, he'll get back to his house. Not recommended for out of state license plates, though.

OTOH, I bet you could get his email address if he's using WEP. I'd rather like to see the look on someones face when they get an email from 'the car in the left lane' telling them they've just scored a virus on their embedded device for driving like a ticked off teenager. Double points if they are, in fact, a ticked off teenager.

Then again... I might be able to score chicks phone numbers this way... Wait, what were we talking about again?

Heres what i'd do

[anilg]

http://www.xkcd.com/440/

I thought Inspiration CameStandard?

[fahrbot-bot]

...check your e-mail, shop for a book on Amazon, place some bids on EBay...

Of course to this stuff and most other things of interest, the browser will need SSL, JavaScript, Flash, Java, etc... That and considering they don't mention what browser means now one will have to worry about patching the auto-pc lest it get pwned. Just what I've always dreamed of: Patch Tuesday in a LeBaron...

Perhaps if Chrysler concentrated on making a better car instead of another useless gimmick... [Not that I care, I drive a Honda.]

So glad I drive an old tank of a Volvo

[Jimbob The Mighty]

I can just see it now:

MightyJimbob: Yeah don't worry guys, i'll be there in a few minutes
MightyJimbob has quit IRC (Connection reset by tree).

Re:So glad I drive an old tank of a Volvo

[Jimbob The Mighty]

Also, can't wait for "Ping if you love Jesus" bumper stickers.

Texting vs typing

[despeaux]

Well since texting is now illegal while driving, this is the loophole. Nothing in there against typing "redtub....." into Safari.

This could be a great idea - if

[Whuffo]

If they designed their system so that the vehicles could form ad-hoc mesh networks - this would have some real potential. It would extend the operational range beyond the limits of the cell network and allow users to make use of other's unused bandwidth to boost transfer speeds.

Probably wishful thinking. I've got a Chrysler with UConnect and it works surprisingly well for a piece of automotive high-tech candy. But it could be much better; some of the shortcomings could be because it was designed to a price point, but much of what's not quite right can only be explained by rushed / sloppy design and unfinished coding.

They'll probably follow the same design model for this upgrade too. They'll probably manage to make it so it works if you configure your laptop just exactly right but is absolutely intolerant of any variations in configuration. It'll have DHCP, but they'll hardcode the netmask - or some other boneheaded blunder such as only working with certain Microsoft operating systems.

Re:Great, one more distraction...

[plantman-the-womb-st]

Preach! I'm in line right behind you.

Memes for sale! Slightly used!

[Anonymous Coward]

In Soviet Russia, the new feature will be named WebConnect U.

xkcd

[asylumx]

Reminds me of this recent XKCD strip: http://xkcd.com/440/

Wonder if this helps improve gas mileage?

[jocknerd]

Example: The 2008 Dodge Challenger gets about 12 mpg. But I guess if you are surfing the net, you won't notice. Glad to see Chrysler being innovative.

Scam

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe it would be cheaper if they ran it over HSDPA connection.

Therefore the idea would be UConnect over HSDPA ....

Internet Radio?

[TheAxeMaster]

Too bad you're locked in to their service or people might actually buy it, that's enough bandwidth to do a lot of things. I'd love to be able to stream pandora while driving but I'm not going to subscribe to yet another service at X dollars a month just to be able to do it.

Now, if you could connect your cell phone to your car and use it instead, that would be great.

Actually a legitimate issue

[Anonymous Coward]

I view it as a safety issue. If other drivers can see the porn in your vehicle, it is definitely a distraction.

Some years ago, a local church protested a billboard advertising for a nudie bar. I joined them in the protest, and it was my testimony that got the billboard taken down. I was driving down the highway and saw the billboard. The girl is the billboard was so hot, I almost drove my car into the medial strip. The billboard was taken down as a traffic safety measure.

Video Screens in California Cars

[Aidtopia]

FTA:

In that case, Californians tempted to Google and drive can breathe a big sigh of relief: The new laws don't proscribe use of computers or the Web, except for drivers under 18 years old. There is a different law on the books preventing the use of television screens or video screens farther forward than the rear of the front seats, but it's unclear whether that measure applies to computers browsing the Internet.

I've read that law, and it didn't seem unclear to me. Video screens that aren't completely dedicated to vehicle status and/or navigation aren't allowed forward of the back or the front seat. Seems to me it applies to laptops, PDAs, and most cell phones.

A person may not drive a motor vehicle if a ... video screen ... displaying a ... video signal that produces entertainment or business applications, is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver's seat, or is operating and visible to the driver while driving the motor vehicle.

There are specific exemptions for GPS and other nav systems, as well as police car terminals, etc.

Cringely predicted this: car wifi mesh telco

[mbourgon]

I knew I remember reading this idea before. Not that I see that this is what they're doing, but if the hardware is out there, the software is easy enough to change...
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2002/pulpit_20020523_000733.html

[...]Mesh networks offer Quality of Service [...] and support Voice-over-IP. An enlightened car company -- or better still EVERY car company -- should put a Mesh node in every car they make whether the owner wants it or not. In a couple of years, when 20 million Mesh'd cars are on the road and the car companies [...]could light that network and, in one stroke, take a big chunk of the U.S. telephone, Internet, and mobile phone markets. Just buy space on cellphone towers and tie it all together with cheap fiber [...]

This is what consumers asked for?

[AnalogDiehard]

The price of fuel is $4/gallon and climbing, consumers ditching their gas guzzlers in favor of fuel efficient vehicles, and the best the domestic automakers can offer is wireless internet? This should be a hot seller for sure.

Back in 2004 I started pressuring the Saturn dealer to bring back the 40mpg "S" series they discontinued in 2002. Those cars were excellent vehicles for their fuel efficiency. I told them that customers are going to be demanding fuel efficient vehicles if gas gets too expensive. Every new model they introduced got lower mpg. Now they're touting wireless internet. Looks like the asians are going to be getting a lot of new customers.

Oh, please leverage this!

[wonkavader]

A few bytes every few minutes about location and velocity, on an opt-in basis, could tell city planners and fellow drives so much about traffic conditions, routes, stop lights and how they should be timed, etc.

There are any number of devices which could do this, but a car being manufactured and sold in quantity would allow a lot of data, and could be used to improve traffic flow.

Wouldn't it be smarter

[Anonymous Coward]

Wouldn't it be a lot smarter to create working public mass transport so that people could get at their workplace within half-an hour instead of finding new ways to entertain people on while they stand two hours on traffic jams?

Apparently it would be too obvious and easy solution..

Kids and other Passengers on Road Trips

[Kalak]

Everyone is talking about driving, but for those with kids, or for road trips, this is a natural evolution of the old custom van with entertainment in the back. Not everything is about distracting the driver. The kids having something to do would get rid of some of the biggest distractions in my car - the complaining from boredom from the back seat