Distracted Driving? Is Internet Access In A Car Going To Be A Good Thing?

Carmakers like Mercedes-Benz and Audi AG plan to open up their automobiles to full Internet capability but there are hurdles in taking on this technology. Recent advances in bandwidth have eased the data flow needed to bring the Internet to the auto.

However, carmakers have difficulty defining what parts of the consumer Internet experience offer opportunities to them, as opposed to data service providers, content providers and network operators. To date, most connected cars have used what's called a "walled garden" approach to outside data services, analysts said, giving strictly limited access to a few applications like Google Search.

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PUGPROUD - 3/25/2011 8:34:43 AM

+8 Boost

The news accounts will soon report which website people were on when they met their demise !

Steve - 3/25/2011 9:39:53 AM

+7 Boost

I LOVE the idea of being able to check my seedbox to see the progress of my porn torrents, do email, find out what my friends are doing on Facebook, and tending to Farmville, all while driving my car. Tell me I can attach a web cam and do Windows Live Messenger, and I'm so all over that!!! Talk about boosting my productivity!
</sarcasm>

mini22 - 3/25/2011 10:25:47 AM

+4 Boost

It is my opinion that "any" kind of electronic interface is an extreem danger to the driver. That is anything that creates a diversion of more then 1 second. In my book that includes such interfaces like Ford's Sync and similar systems.Cars are meant to be driven and should be driven safely. Diverting the drivers attention (unless they stop and pull on to the shoulder of the road)is simply not acceptable.I think that there should be technology in place where systems like Sync cannot operate unless the vehicle is at rest. To make this acceptable I think that the stereo functions should then be separated from the rest of the interface so that people can at least enjoy their music. I also think that stereo's should go back to the push button system to make them simpler to use.

internationalmanofmystery - 3/25/2011 3:18:35 PM

+4 Boost

"Is Internet Access In A Car Going To Be A Good Thing?"

Heck yeah! In the BACK SEAT!

The chauffeur can do the driving. Just restrict access to those DRIVING, problem solved.

g2ok - 3/25/2011 4:48:27 PM

0 Boost

Just get an 3G iPad already.

Not safe for the driver, but great when my wife is driving.

Could be used for telemetry, just need an interface and app.

theman440 - 3/25/2011 7:42:34 PM

+2 Boost

...er, uh, NO.

Lexus - 3/26/2011 8:13:30 PM

+1 Boost

So when is the first Law Sue for this is going to be on the news? You know if someone is using the internet and crash into someone, I belief that person can sue the auto and internet company.

Unless they have a system where you can "ONLY" use the internet when the vehicle is at idle.