It’s hard to believe no one beat General Motors to the punch when it comes to making embedded wireless connectivity standard in cars. Considering the modern world’s apparent need to be constantly connected, you’d expect someone would have thought of adding the feature earlier, but they didn’t, and now GM has been recognized as one of the “World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies of 2015 in Automotive,” for it.
Fast Company handed GM the recognition, saying they are “effectively turning its vehicles into mobile phones on wheels.” About 90 percent of GM’s 2015-model year lineup is equipped with the technology, and the remaining vehicles are set to receive it next year.
You may be asking yourself why 4G LTE is necessary, considering the majority of consumers own a smart phone with internet access. Well, we spent the majority of our day in a 2015 model-year Chevrolet vehicle equipped with 4G LTE, and were able to get work done and listen to music, without delving into our very limited and expensive cell phone data. It’ll be helpful for those in a similar situations, or for families who road trip often. We’re expecting other automakers to soon follow suit, but just like an annoying YouTube commenters, GM will always be able to boast that they were first.
Comments
Does it support LTE Advanced, or only LTE?
I just. dont. get it. I really don’t. I’m even a huge GM fan and a techie, and I don’t get the lte wifi in cars.
So let me get this right. For $50 a month, I can do the same thing I can do with my phone (but still with my phone, just connected to wifi). Since most families have 2 cars, that is $100 a month.
Now if you have Tmobile for example, 5 GB of hotspot usage is an extra $30 a month, and it can work in whatever car your in. Sprint is $30/mo for 3GB. For $35 a month, you can get a dedicated wifi hotspot with 2.5gb- that rollover when your not using it. Lastly, AT&T offers a mobile hotspot for $50/mo for 5GB stand alone, no contract… but the unused GB’s roll over!
So maybe for convenience sake, this could make sense, but I see the 5 GB user a rarity?
But the GM 4G LTE only works… in the car. So for the 1 or 2 weeks you travel with your kids its great, but worth $600? For streaming music its great, but some major carriers don’t even CHARGE you for streaming music against your data usage. Do I see the benefit for SOME? like businesses, and construction, and similar? Very possibly (although I’d still choose a hot spot), but mainstream? I don’t see the benefit for 99.9% of chevy drivers.
So when itcomes down to it, I just don’t get it… I really dont. Can someone enlighten me on who uses this and why its worth it? I commend GM for putting it into their cars, because clearly customers like it, but I can’t figure out why they like it.
My other concern is life. in 2008, many were still using 2g. By 2010 everything was 3G. In 2012, UTMA+ was all the rage, In 2013/2014 its LTE, now its LTE Advanced and LTE+ – Networks are rolling out LTE on new bands that were unused in 2012. a 2 year old cell phone can’t connect to the newer networks.
So whats going to happen to the 2015 LTE in 2017? 2019? 2021?
I’m in the market for a new car, but I’m still driving a 2008 model. Would that still be analog? In 2008, my 2002 Mercedes SLK lost its data and phone connectivity due to the network shutdown.
Average vehicle on the roadway is 11.2 years last I checked. Most people keep their cars 4-6 years. Can the tech even survive the first owners?
Forget ON STAR it is a waste and as with my disability causes accidents. If there were not so many spooks and distrustful people. Rip this electronic crap from a fine car like a Corvette. Adjusted the mirror one night 5 minutes later a stern Black voice said they would call the police if I touched that again. ON STAR you suck! When in a accident where are you nothing you call me threaten me. I swear if your lousy service is not improved you better hope they shut down the internet. GM gets recalls as do all car companies. You all need a MAKE OVER!!!