Chrysler in-car internet coming Aug. 25th, pricing revealed
Click above to view a video of the Chrysler UConnect system.
Chrysler's wireless, in-car Internet system will be made available beginning on August 25th, with pricing set at $499 for the Uconnect equipment, a $50 installation at the dealer, a $35 initial activation charge and a service fee of $29 per month. The cost of the system might be bearable for business users, but everyday consumers may be content with their Edge or 3G-enabled smartphones for mobile web browsing and email.
Check out our original post on the UConnect system here and view a video demonstration of the system in action here.
[Source: InformationWeek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Harrison 3:41PM (8/15/2008)
Will Chrysler use this to help move Sebrings off lots?
Dealer: Yeah, you can surf porn sites on this.
Customer: Sweet! I'll take 2.
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Epyx 3:44PM (8/15/2008)
They would be better of stricking a deal with Apple for the iPhone. Way cheaper and much cooler.
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Shipey 3:45PM (8/15/2008)
I love the internet. I love cars.
I also love peanut butter and lasagna, but that doesn't mean I should put them together.
Cars are becoming bloated with senseless technology. There's nothing here I can't get from a decent smartphone, for less money.
Lotus has it right... less is definitely more.
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MemphisNET 3:45PM (8/15/2008)
Can a person come to a Chrysler dealership with ANY car and have this installed?
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Kumail 4:18PM (8/15/2008)
that would be awesome, but i highly doubt they would do that. i really don't like the monthly fee either.
tankd0g 3:49PM (8/15/2008)
This is not very competitive with EVDO or EDGE rates, and it's only for your car? I guess you could replace your home internet with it if your car is always parked close to the house, but then you'd have to keep your car running :)
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Epyx 3:51PM (8/15/2008)
It would be a cool option in a conversion van. Can you still buy conversion vans?
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Pete 3:56PM (8/15/2008)
Worst idea ever...
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Jim in Tampa 3:57PM (8/15/2008)
How is this better than the air-card I already have for my laptop? I use my laptop in my car all the time.
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akboss302 3:58PM (8/15/2008)
So does this system only work when the car is in PARK, or should we be expecting a myriad of auto collisions to sweep the nation once people feel the need to read email instead of the road in front of them? Now I know why all these nanny systems are debuting that monitor your lanes and speed-sense your cruise control - because there's counter-intuitive systems like this that coax drivers to reduce their attention even further.
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nanotube 6:01PM (8/15/2008)
The internet in cars should be low-bandwidth for for traffic, navigation, weather and maybe news and email. Given that, I don't see why the monthly charge must be so high. Gimmie $10/mo and maybe...
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almost Dr. G.. 4:07PM (8/15/2008)
5 years too late.. cell phone and wireless cards have made this obsolete.. people who really need it already solved this issue..
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azzo45 4:36PM (8/15/2008)
Agreed. Leave it to Chrysler to answer a question...
... no one was asking! :( :(
2007RC46SP2 4:29PM (8/15/2008)
Honey, Climb in the back and move them there antennas around.
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DarinD 4:34PM (8/15/2008)
This might work with a Large BMW, Lexus, or Mercedes Sedan but I doubt chrysler buyers will be buying this.
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Dave T. 4:37PM (8/15/2008)
as I mentioned on another blog, they announced the price with the system originally on June 26. I believe Autoblog covered it extensively.
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Troy 4:41PM (8/15/2008)
I could see this expanded into an interesting set of service options, for example if the car detects and issue, or regular maitenance is required the dealer could send it a meeting invitation to schedule a check up, which then could be synchronized with your BlackBerry.
...meh, actually it is outdated. Tethered modem capbility is available over Bluetooth with BlackBerry and probably others, they should work on implementing these standards. I love the A2DP bluetooth support in the new Acura TSX.
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JDP 4:45PM (8/15/2008)
yay for facebook-related accidents.
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Zane 4:58PM (8/15/2008)
Sweeeet! Now I can keep downloading torrents 24*7!
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SteveJ 5:02PM (8/15/2008)
I went on the M40 (or I-10) this week and I found....
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