WiFi hotspots that use some form of broadband are common, and in fact even major restaurant chains such as McDonald’s have jumped on this particular bandwagon, but automobiles might be next. While high-end cars have come with internal WiFi systems that were powered by integrated wireless broadband systems, Ford is offering consumers a new approach that might be better for a handful of reasons: a bring your own adapter approach.
Ford’s newest generation of Sync technology does not offer an internal wireless broadband device, but instead uses a USB port to connect to a wireless broadband adapter. Thanks to the underlying Microsoft Windows-based platform, virtually any USB wireless modem should work automatically regardless of what technology it uses. Support for additional wireless modems can be added over time via updates that can be performed at dealerships, though there may be ways for tech savvy consumers to update the software used by their Sync systems on their own.
WiFi in Cars is a Good Thing
In-car WiFi, like text messaging features on cell phones and using in-car entertainment systems, is something that is probably best used by passengers and not drivers. The possible applications are as endless as the Internet itself, which makes in-car WiFi a real treat. Many advertisements for in-car WiFi seem to focus on business applications such as updating PowerPoint presentations on a laptop in the back seat, and that might be due to the fact that playing the latest first person shooters may be hard in a moving vehicle and could instigate a bout of motion sickness.
Being able to conduct business or chat with friends while on the road may make trips significantly easier for passengers, and that might make the life of drivers much easier. In this sense, it really does not matter much what passengers use their broadband connection for, so long as they do not disturb the driver. Increasing the focus of a driver should come with its own set of benefits and it will be interesting to see how insurers react to cars with integrated broadband solutions when they become more common.
Nearly Future Proof
On the surface, the idea of using a USB 2.0 device to transmit data sounds like an excellent plan, but there may be a problem. That problem is that USB 2.0 is nearing the end of its lifecycle, and for an expensive purchase like an automobile, it might be more appropriate to include a USB 3.x port capable of nearly ten times the performance of a USB 2.0 device. USB 2.0 ports are limited to 480 Mbps, nearly 10% of which are consumed by device overhead. 400 Mbps of usable bandwidth might seem more than sufficient by today’s standards, but it is likely to only be a few generations before wireless standards are able to saturate the USB 2.0 bus. Not all car owners will keep their automobile that long, but some of Ford’s newest cars, especially the latest generation Mustang, are bound to be classics. Also consider the fact that other applications for USB devices in cars might become common, and the USB 2.0 interface seems as if it is not the most forward-looking option. For a modest additional fee, Ford probably should have opted for a USB 3.x port, but the Sync’s USB 2.0 port is more than up to the task of transmitting data and handling other media-centric tasks for the next few years.
Follow the Leader
While other manufacturers have offered their own mobile broadband devices connected to WiFi routers integrated into their cars, Ford’s use of a technology-agnostic USB 2.0 interface might point the way towards the future. One of the potential reasons why adoption of vehicle-based WiFi hotspots has been slow up to this point is the fact that consumers have traditionally been locked into services provided by a single vendor. This has certainly been the case with Chrysler’s offerings, and many pundits have speculated that the pricing structure and lack of options led to consumer discontent.
Will other vendors manufacturers follow Ford’s lead? It would seem likely, as it offers consumers more reasons to adopt high-priced entertainment and navigation packages. Adopting a standard USB connector for a WiFi adapter rather than bundling an adapter does come with some pitfalls, including technical support issues and a reliance on Microsoft that may or may not result in upset consumers. Such a proposition may be more than a little off-putting, but the lack of advertising subsidies from carriers could also be an issue. After all, which carrier would want to subsidize a marketing campaign if all it takes to remove their wireless service from a new vehicle is the quick exchange of a USB key.
Predictions
Wireless broadband technologies are now entering their fourth generation and new technologies such as WiMax are also throwing their hat into the ring. The result is that a looming technology war is virtually imminent and consumers with vehicles would be well advised to not lock themselves into any one technology as frequent updates are expected. Some updates are likely to be incremental, while others might be generational, but either way, using a USB-modem to connect with the latest networks is a great idea.
