First, in-car air conditioning became standard. Then came power windows and door locks. Could in-car WiFi be the next standard car feature?
That indeed could be the future if car maker Audi has anything to say about it. The company announced this week that it would offer 30 months of its in-car Audi Connect WiFi system to drivers for $450, a price that breaks down to $15 per month.
According to the car company, Audi Connect ranks as the second biggest factor driving a customer’s decision to buy an Audi. To encourage more people to take the option (and to encourage more people to buy a car), Audi is dropping the cost of service down from its current $30 monthly price point. Wireless data is provided by T-Mobile, and can be shared between up to eight devices.
Given how popular this technological advance has proven to be for Audi, it likely won’t be long until more car manufacturers offer in-car WiFi as part of a luxury accessories package. After all, the hardware required is inexpensive and selling wireless Internet service helps pad the carriers’ bottom lines.
Would you pay to have an in-car WiFi connection? Would the convenience of the Internet make your day smoother? Or, given how many of us admit to texting while driving, would another distraction while on the road be a bigger problem than its worth?
