GM offers Wifi in select cars

TSS Taylor

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GM to offer in-vehicle WiFi on select models — Autoblog

Everywhere connectivity is even closer with the announcement that GM will be offering dealer-installed Autonet routers in its SUV and truck offerings. Chrysler was the first to put Autonet in cars a year ago, and Volkswagen signed up in August of this year, putting the mobile router docking station in its Routan. The Autonet kit is available this month for installs in the GMC, Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac lineups, or you can order it on GM's accessories site.

Full price for installation is $500 in GM offerings, and you'll pay $29 every month for 1 GB of service -- exceed 1 GB and service stops -- or you can plunk down for the 5 GB service. You can use it within 150 feet of your car but there's no encryption, so a bunch of other folks can use it as well. However, if you just want to get some e-mails and directions, research a few tunes on Songza, and, most importantly, get the kids to be quiet for a spell, it just might be worth it.
 

DAB

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Wow $30 for 1GB, that is pretty rough! Installation is pretty rough too! However, it is good to see that we are heading in this direction with new vehicles. One day this will likely be standard!
 

drdroo

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I don't have high hopes of the per-GB rate going down in cost significantly, especially with this desire of 'net neutrality'. Pay to play for Internet access may become the new norm.

Anyone who buys one of these solutions for their car instead of a MiFi or a Cradlepoint router must be some sort of moron though. Most of those solutions support encryption at least.

EDIT: I'd also love to know how many people opt for Autonet in Chrysler vehicles. Autonet has been available for a few years in those vehicles, if memory serves.
 
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Jon

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Like most technologies, the price and services are lacking out of the gate. Once there is more competition, and more cars add this sort of thing you will see the evolutionary process bring the price down, and the quality up. As for right now I'd probably get with AT&T or someone like that to get a router in my car. The ability to listen to Slacker at Wifi levels wouldn't be a bad thing. Although unnecessary now that 3G service is improved in my area.
 

HecticArt

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I don't have high hopes of the per-GB rate going down in cost significantly,

That's what they used to say about cell phone data plans. I think the prices and gb limits will get a lot more competitive over the coming years.

1 gb. . . . really. . . . you can't download much mobile porn with only 1 gb.. . . .

chknride.gif
 

drdroo

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That's what they used to say about cell phone data plans. I think the prices and gb limits will get a lot more competitive over the coming years.

1 gb. . . . really. . . . you can't download much mobile porn with only 1 gb.. . . .

chknride.gif

Oh the autonet deal is crap, don't get me wrong. However, doesn't Verizon offer 500MB a month for 30 bucks? :)

I think the amount of bandwidth will go up for the dollars, but I don't have this expectation of unlimited aircard plans or anything like that. Hell I'd be happy to see the 5GB become 10 or 20.
 

Jon

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Oh the autonet deal is crap, don't get me wrong. However, doesn't Verizon offer 500MB a month for 30 bucks? :)

I think the amount of bandwidth will go up for the dollars, but I don't have this expectation of unlimited aircard plans or anything like that. Hell I'd be happy to see the 5GB become 10 or 20.

There is unlimited data on the iPhone, which is good because my bill would come in a box otherwise. :eek: I don't know about the 5G part, since AT&T says unlimited for iPhone, i imagine because there is no tethering as of yet. If you're data roaming internationally, that's where it gets pricey.
 

drdroo

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There is unlimited data on the iPhone, which is good because my bill would come in a box otherwise. :eek:

Yeah the iPhone is one of the rarer unlimited situations. However, anything having to do with tethering is still 5GB on most carriers. I'm not sure if non-iPhone smartphone plans are unlimited with AT&T but I believe Apple made it clear that data would have to be unlimited for that device to be on the network.

My cell carrier (US Cellular) is also unlimited on their data plans (all of them). They charge 15$ a month additional for 5GB/mo of tethering, but, like most carriers, it's not possible to enforce.

Every carrier comes with an asterisk though. They can just consider your use 'excessive' and no longer want to play anymore.

I don't know about the 5G part, since AT&T says unlimited for iPhone, i imagine because there is no tethering as of yet. If you're data roaming internationally, that's where it gets pricey.

Yeah AT&T still gets queasy about tethering, like most carriers.

International roaming is always insanely priced. I'm surprised T-mobile has never offered a cheap solution since they have a native network in much of Europe. It would be the thing that makes AT&T look like a loud-mouthed US carrier.
 

limegrass69

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Most "on device" data is truly unlimited. They will get on your case if you push some sort of outrageous amount of data through the device (like say, 10GB).

I don't know of a truly unlimited tethering plan. Most have a 5GB monthly allowance. Even the new MiFi cellular wifi hotspots have the 5GB monthly allowance.

Yes, there are ways around it (i.e. TetherBerry). For casual uses, it's probably OK. But if it becomes a habit, you will probably get caught.
 

Jon

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I don't know about considering it excessive, as long as I'm paying my $30 a month for data I don't think they care a whole lot, if net neutrality passes it might be a different story. My bill is $125 a month as it is.
 

drdroo

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Most "on device" data is truly unlimited. They will get on your case if you push some sort of outrageous amount of data through the device (like say, 10GB).

The word extreme seems to vary. If you have any instances where people have been kicked or beaten for their on-device data use, I'm very interested. I'm sure it's happened, but I'd love to know what the numbers are.

howardforums.com is my second home for the most part. :)

I don't know of a truly unlimited tethering plan. Most have a 5GB monthly allowance. Even the new MiFi cellular wifi hotspots have the 5GB monthly allowance.

Correct. I've not seen an unlimited aircard or hotspot device . I think Cricket or MetroPCS does unlimited aircard service, but they're a metro provider, not a national deal like these others. It's a really focused market.
 

drdroo

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I don't know about considering it excessive, as long as I'm paying my $30 a month for data I don't think they care a whole lot, if net neutrality passes it might be a different story. My bill is $125 a month as it is.

My bill is around the same. Course I have national free incoming everything, insurance on my phones, 7pm nights, etc.