Autonet

We were recently handed the keys to a Cadillac CTS equipped with an Autonet in-car wireless access point. The system joins a cellular data connection with a Wi-Fi access point to offer Internet access on the go.

We figured, what better way to test this system than with a liveblog from the road?

After starting the vehicle, we were able to quickly connect our laptop (as well as an iPod Touch) to the Autonet access point in exactly the same way that we would for a stationary access point.

After confirming that we were in fact connected to the Internet, … Read more

Whether you are a business professional, a student, or just someone who likes to stay connected, accessing the Internet and e-mail servers while away from your home or office is becoming more and more popular. While you can purchase an Internet card from your cellular provider or hook up at a pay-for-time hot spot, another solution on the market is the Autonet, a wireless Internet hub designed for use in your car, truck, or SUV.

Chrysler was one of the first manufacturers to offer wireless Internet as an option with its UConnect product, currently offered as an option on many vehicles. The same device is also available for use in any vehicle as the Autonet.

We installed the Autonet in a Honda belonging to our outside sales rep, but it can go into any car. It's a two-wire hook-up (power/ground), and can be placed under a seat or in a storage compartment. Once powered up, multiple users can surf the Net, check e-mail, download files, or do whatever they need to do online. It has a range of about 100 feet, so it can provide a wireless network away from the vehicle, too. It can be set up as a secured or unsecured network. You could also wire the unit up to a cigarette lighter-type plug and use it in multiple vehicles by plugging in to a 12v power supply.

The system works pretty well. It takes about 30 seconds to boot up and access the network. During this time, you see a flashing blue indicator light, which goes solid blue once an Internet connection is established. Then, you simply log on the way you would to any available wireless network. … Read more

Cadillac offers wireless Internet in the CTS, sporty hybrids on the way from Honda and Toyota, gadgets that do a virtual repo when you miss a payment, and a very slick little car PC.

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Cadillac has announced the availability of an in-car wireless Internet option on its CTS sport sedan beginning in April. The new option will be called Cadillac WiFi (sic) by Autonet and be dealer-installed. The device itself will have an MSRP of $499, and the service will cost $29 per month.

This makes Cadillac one of the very first carmakers to offer wireless Internet in a production vehicle. Autonet Mobile says early market experience indicates that this option will appeal to families first, as opposed to the mobile business professional you probably think would be its main initial market.

We've … Read more

Our eyes eventually glaze over at all of the car industry's "limited editions," "value editions," and "sport editions." But Chrysler has just announced a "Web edition." OK, now we're awake.

It's not so much a car but an option package comprising a bunch of tech toys all tied to the Net by an Autonet Mobile router branded as Chrysler uConnect Web. The gear includes a Dell Mini 9 Netbook, an 8GB iPod Touch, a Sony PSP, and a digital camera with an Eye-Fi Wi-Fi SD card. All in, $1,… Read more

GM, BMW have a lousy week; Dash Navigation pulls the plug on it's device; Delphi is convinced we want in-car Internet; and a romp in the tire smoking Chevy Cobalt SS. Listen now: Download today's podcast

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Car industry giant Delphi has announced it will develop wireless Internet gear for cars in a partnership with Autonet Mobile. This isn't the first announcement of its kind, but Delphi is one of the Big 5 suppliers, so this is something of a turning point.

Delphi sells $23 billion worth of car electronics to the automakers each year, while Autonet is a San Francisco-based start-up that you may know for equipping some Avis rentals and Chrysler products with wireless hotspots. It brings early mover experience to the party, along with a bonding technology called TRU that promises to avoid … Read more