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Smartphones: the future of in-car entertainment

Posted on 21 Apr 2011 at 14:33

In-car Wi-Fi has two primary uses, according to Matt Halfin, marketing manager for mobile broadband at 3: in-car entertainment for laptop and console-wielding passengers in the back, and remote connectivity for business road warriors.

Remarkably, 3 claims in-car reception is much better than the 3G signal you’ll get in your office. “The network was originally built to deliver the best coverage for motorways and arterial roads,” Halfin said.

“Sites that service roads are generally in less populated areas, so the [in-car] service is very good. In-car performance is four times better than inside coverage.”

The real advances with in-car internet will come with next-generation mobile broadband. General Motors subsidiary OnStar and US network Verizon have provided a tantalising glimpse of what’s possible on 4G mobile networks.

The real advances with in-car internet will come with next-generation mobile broadband

Worried about leaving the car parked in that dark side road? You’ll soon be able to check if there are any undesirables lurking around without leaving the house, by taking your pick from one of the half-dozen on-board cameras using a smartphone app.

And you’ll have the last laugh when an irresponsible half-wit reverses into your pride and joy in the Waitrose car park and declines to leave his details, because the camera embedded in the bumper and the collision detection system will send footage of the incident – complete with the offender’s number plate – to your smartphone immediately over the 4G network.

Likewise, you could use the car’s screen to view footage from your home security cameras, allowing you to check if the kids got home safely from school or find out if the cat has ripped up the sofa while you’re on a weekend away.

Before you return home late at night to a freezing house, you could turn on the heating and switch on a couple of lights to deter burglars using the in-car dash and your home automation software (you have got home automation software, haven’t you?).

You’ll have to dream up a better excuse than “stuck in a traffic jam” for missing the next board meeting, mind.

The multi-gigabit speeds afforded by Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks make video conferencing from the car a distinct possibility, allowing you to pull over and Skype the office with your thoughts on the forthcoming merger.

And to think driving used to be sold as escapism…

Author: Barry Collins and Stewart Mitchell