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

Re:wardriving

[FrameRotBlues]

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

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: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.

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: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: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.