Starting next month, Cadillac will be offering a piece of hardware that will enable passengers to receive internet access on their mobile devices while in their Cadillac CTS. The internet access point will be called Cadillac WiFi and will cost $499. Additionally, there is a $29/month service fee as well.
It's very interesting to me that this is the first in-car internet solution available. Certain trains and buses have had internet access capabilities for some time now, which makes me wonder why it took so long for WiFi to find it's way to the automobile. The concept of an in-car internet access point is cool, but in the long run, it's going to face some stiff competition from wireless 3g services provided by companies such as Verizon and AT&T. With those services, you can get internet access anywhere (not just in your car) for about 50 bucks a month.
However, even though there will be some heavy competition, I think the potential for this device is huge. Just imagine your radio, navigation, and climate control systems, all integrated with internet capabilities. (If governmental regulators thought cell phones distracted drivers, just wait until they see what this bad boy does to vehicular operators.) You would be able to listen to free music on Pandora, or browse millions of restaurant reviews on the net. You might be able to remotely monitor your vehicle from your work computer, reading diagnostics and viewing the vehicle via webcams to make sure it is still safe and secure.
The possibilites are truly endless. It's just going to take some imagination and creativity to make this system work, and most importantly, last the test of time. How do you feel about in-car internet access? What kind of applications can you imagine for it?
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