The vehicle as mobile hotspot (part 2)
Sunday, June 29th, 2008 – 1:29 pmThe combination of on-board computers, in-car displays, and a broadband wireless connection introduce several exciting services to transportation. Not only do these systems tell you precisely where you at, but they clue you into what is around you: weather, traffic, lifestyle, and business services. Point-of-sale transactions can be accomplished by authorizing payment through a handheld mobile device instead of carrying cash, credit, or a specialized payment token. Concierge services remotely unlock doors when your keys are lost, inform a service center of diagnostics errors, notify emergency services of an airbag deployment, and even locate stolen or missing vehicles.
WiMAX proponents are demonstrating interactive automobiles that download songs from Internet music services; place phone calls through online Skype service; view the latest news, traffic and sports videos; and take digital photos that are uploaded to photo-sharing sites. WiMAX and similar next-generation mobile networking technologies bring broadband wireless service to the vehicle, also enabling distribution of Wi-Fi access by integrating an on-board router.
A plethora of new opportunities for wireless communications: in your car, on the road, and in your daily life. More at WiMax.com
