Thursday, November 13, 2008

Autonet Mobile router= A New Distraction for Drivers

 Wi-Fi hotspots are  more prevalent and Autonet Mobile is offering to convert your car into a hotspot on the highway.
For the traveling businessman, Autonet Mobile's invention completes the "traveling office". I can only imagine the number of them who will have one hand on the wheel and one on the keyboard.The router sells for $499, and Chrysler  offers it as dealer-installed option, but additional costsinclude an activation fee, and monthly subscription plans - $29 for 1GB and $59 for 5G. 

Smartphones have already proven that they're just as much of a hazard as a convenience. I'm a hypocrite, because distracted drivers are one of my biggest pet peeves, yet I'm just as guilty as the guy swerving in front of me.When I purchased my iPhone, I vowed to never browse on the drive, but I broke that pledge faster than my New Year's resolution.

With cell phones,in-seat DVD players and GPS navigators already competing for our attention, do we really need to add another device? Pretty soon, our vehicles will resemble Homer Simpson's car, after he loaded it up with  a microwave, snowcone maker, fog machine, and Lite-Brite.

I wonder how will legislators will respond to this new device.Several states require hands-free cellphones, and while the router is designed for passenger use, there's no safeguard to block driver access. The most important question to ponder is, who is the target market?

Autonet Mobile seems like a great addition for families who travel several long road trips each year, but why would anyone else invest more than $500, plus the extra monthly bills for this service? In the current economic climate,I don't think many Americans are willing to spend that much money on a device that could be categorized as a luxury item.

Posted By Matt O'Hern at 12:53 PM
Permanent Link: Autonet Mobile router= A New Distraction for Drivers | Comments (1)

(1) Comments on Autonet Mobile router= A New Distraction for Drivers

I am a mother of 2 children, 8 and 13. Both prefer having internet access to the DVD player, which allows them to im their friends, play video games and watch You Tube clips. I love that my husband can check and send emails while we are on the go. The initial investment was not cheap, but the monthly service is much less expensive than the wireless card we used to have, and now everyone can connect, not just one person. Also, we do not experience the dropped connection like we did with the wireless card. I don't look at Autonet as a luxury, but rather, a modern convenience.

Comments by Soccer Mom : Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 05:24 PM

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