Microsoft Getting Into Car Wi-Fi

Dubbed Vi-Fi, for vehicle Wi-Fi, Microsoft’s latest endeavor into car technology looks promising. In a partnership with the University of Massachussettes and the University of Washington, the software giant is working on making Wi-Fi connections in cars a steady and reliable experience, unlike current offerings from cell phone manufacturers and their laptop cards. 

The new system will allow multiple Wi-Fi signals to come and go at one time in order to keep the signal strong and avoid “hand-offs,” which often fumble, leading to spotty service.

The real question is, “Why?” Why do we need in-car Wi-Fi? Do we really want to surf the net while driving? Oh, ye of little tech understanding. The real reason Wi-Fi would be a terrific addition to in-car technology is two-fold: It would replace expensive satellite subscription services like XM, and it would allow for an almost unlimited variety of applications. Think of how the iPhone has hundreds of applications. With in-car Wi-Fi, an iPhone-like onboard system could display not only weather and movie times (like many satellite systems do today), but it could also display live stock quotes, internet radio, instant messaging and virtually anything else you can access on a laptop computer.

There still needs to be a larger Wi-Fi infrastructure to get this to work for the everyday driver, but Microsoft has shown it can produce terrific in-car technology, like its Sync system. 

Microsoft Develops Key Wi-Fi Technology For Cars (DailyTech)

Comments

Most of us would not be surfing the internet while driving so I don't know why everyone is so scared of this. Alot of business professionals have emergencies where they need to find a wi-fi signal without paying out the a.. This, I assume would be an affordable option for those people. They could stop in a rest area, off an exit, etc.. to access the internet when needed. Add this to the other added benefits and you've got a great idea.

I would velcome vi-fi wholeheartedly. True it will expose those of us who are not well protected to more online threats such as viruses, spam and spyware, but i think this is a good thing. I don't think it would eliminate satellite media, but it will make them more affordable. I think online is the way to go. I have longed for the day that i would be able to use my pda or laptop to listen to international radio stations via v-tuner or any other online radio station.

This is great..
Just think about it..
Your on the road, and you stop at a rest area,
while ur taking a rest u can download a new son or two...
I always hated hearing about this new song I liked then when I got back home to download it, I forget the songs name or artist...
So I like this idea..
Keep it up Microsoft...

I would love to have Wi-Fi in the car!! No more stopping at a Starbucks for using my iPod Touch or macbook to surf the web or check mail while away from home. That'd be great and I hope it comes soon so the price can drop even sooner, lol. I guess i could just get an iPhone, but can't upgrade yet!!!!

Another $60 a month internet bill for something else that will be tracked and hacked by everyone.

Another $60 a month internet bill for something else that will be tracked and hacked by everyone.

Another $60 a month internet bill for something else that will be tracked and hacked by everyone.