Ford’s Sync can now be turned into a mobile hotspot. SYNC is an in-car connectivity system. It connects to your Bluetooth-enabled phone.
Ford’s Sync allows you to operate MP3 players, Bluetooth-enabled phones and tune the radio or adjust the climate control with voice command. It can read your mail with text-to-speech.
Unlike other automakers that offer in-car WiFi, Ford does not require a separate subscription for its in-car WiFi service. Instead, owners can use their own cellular (or WiMAX) USB wireless card and plan.
Plugging the wireless card into the Sync USB port transforms the whole car into a mobile hotspot.
In addition to providing a connection for adults, the in-car WiFi also provides rear-seat entertainment. Instead of using a DVD player and in-car TV screen, kids can now use their own (or their parents’) laptops. Ford’s new second-generation Sync system debuts on select vehicles sometime next year.
Sprint partnered with Ford in its Ford Work Solutions. The Work Solution computer will add $1,195 to the total cost of the vehicle and costs $50 per month for the Sprint cellular backbone service. Just say “Traffic” and SYNC delivers road information. You can receive updates on the traffic conditions ahead or directions to where you’re going right over your vehicle’s sound system. Unfortunately Ford’s Sync currently uses Microsoft’s Spot service over FM subcarriers, which is being discontinued.
Microsoft’s DirectBand uses the 67.65 kHz subcarrier leased by Microsoft from commercial radio broadcasters. DirectBand does not use the RBDS (Radio Broadcast Data System) subcarrier. RDS/RBDS is a different and lower bandwidth (~730bit/s) subcarrier, primarily used for radio station information, music identification, and traffic.
General Motors is offering in-car Wi-Fi using the Autonet box, a mobile router with a cellular backbone. The router costs $199 with a two-year service agreement with Autonet Mobile. Monthly subscriptions start at $29 a month for a 1GB data cap, and a 5GB data plan is also available for $59 a month.
Chrysler’s Uconnect Web is sold and installed through Chrysler dealers. It is compatible with 2009 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles as well as earlier models. It uses a mobile router like GM. Autonet Mobile already sells a portable version of the car hot spot to Avis Rent A Car that can be rented for $10.95/day.
Uconnect Web is hardwired to the car’s electrical system and the device is usually mounted in the trunk. An antenna is also mounted on the vehicle. In addition to the $499 fee for the mobile router, there is a $35 to $50 installation fee, a $35 activation fee and a $29 monthly subscription fee for the EVDO service.
You could use a mobile router from Verizon, Sprint or Clear for a mobile hotspot. The difference is these automobile systems can sometimes tie into the dashboard system for handsfree calling or voice commands.
Car control systems include Audi’s Multi Media Interface, Ford’s Sync, the Mercedes Command system, BMW’s iDrive and Toyota Telematics.
Fewer than 1 million consumers have web access in their cars today, but more than 62 million will have it by 2016, says iSuppli.
Related DailyWireless stories on transit connectivity include; Hands-free Vehicular Calling, Tracking Tools, Ford Sync Dials 911, In-Vehicle Infotainment: Death Race, CradlePoint: Mobile WiFi/WiMAX Hot Spots, Mercedes myCOMAND, BMW iDrive Gets Makeover, Handheld Intelligent Transportation, Chrysler Offers Internet Access , Chrysler Rolls Out U-connect , Ford Sync, Google Transit Maps + WiFi, Chrysler: Wi-Fi Car This Year, The Connected Bus, Hotspot for Bedouins, Chrysler Getting WiMAXed, Verizon Traffic Mapping , PePWave Mobility: Connectivity for Vehicles, Civic Booster and Microsoft Vrs OnStar.
