Wi-Fi in cars isn’t a new trend. Audi and Ford, among other car companies, already offer internet “hot spots” in some of their newer model vehicles. Most recently, BMW has jumped on this connectivity bandwagon, but in a better and more improved way.
Rather than equipping the car with Wi-Fi straight from the dealership, BMW will offer an LTE adapter with its newer model cars. The adapter will come with a phone cradle dock and will sit in the center console of the car. Passengers will be able to connect their phones and tablets to the Wi-Fi hotspot and get internet at LTE speeds, something that hasn’t been done in a car before.
Worried about other drivers stealing your internet? With BMW’s LTE connection, there will be an 8-digit password for the Wi-Fi, preventing others on the road from connecting to your hotspot. The device will also allow for Near Field Communications, meaning that all a passenger needs to do is hold their electronic near the device to be able to connect.
The LTE Wi-Fi will also connect using a SIM card, meaning that drivers will have to get a new SIM or use a spare one from their current phone carrier, making it easy to get all of the device’s parts together.
Another great thing about BMW’s particular Wi-Fi is that the hardware is in the adapter, not in the car. So if the driver would like to use the Wi-Fi out of the vehicle, the 1-hour battery may allow Internet connectivity in other places.
And although pricing hasn’t been announced for this feature, repairshops and enthusiasts everywhere are excited about the new technology!
