Chrysler Offers uConnect Web Factory Mobile Internet

Currently, the extent to which cars and the internet have been combined
is pretty limited. In Europe, BMW has launched in-car internet, which
allows access to the ‘net controlled via its iDrive system, but
aside from custom installed car computers with wireless cards, no such
system exists from the factory. Chrysler is looking to change this with the introduction
of its Mopar uConnect Web system, which will turn vehicles equipped
with this system into mobile hotspots.

The
concept of uConnect Web is pretty simple; using a broadband router it
picks up cellular-based 3G broadband internet, which allows passengers
on board to sync up their wifi-enabled devices to the internet. That
means if you’re out on a road-trip as a passenger, and you’ve got a
laptop, you can surf websites on-line, download files, get weather
updates and write e-mail. If you’ve got a gaming system such as an XBox
or Playstation 3, you can also play online with friends anywhere in the
world, all at high speeds if you’re in range of the broadband signal.

Chrysler
will offer the Mopar uConnect Web system as an option for model year
‘09 products at a cost of $500 including installation, not to mention
unlimited data transfer for $29 per month.

Unfortunately,
like a couple of other cool technological features such as traffic
navigation, weather updates and Sirius Backseat Television, it’s
unlikely that we’ll be seeing this system in place on Canadian-destined
Chryslers anytime soon.