| Mobile internet access generally refers to | | | | they're bogged down in traffic or cruising the |
| accessing the web from your phone. But what if | | | | open road. |
| mobile started to mean more? What if it | | | | The ATX Group, who consider themselves the |
| incorporated systems that allowed you to access | | | | "largest independent telematics services provider |
| the web from your car, while you were driving? | | | | to the automotive industry" have been developing |
| Wouldn't that be the ultimate in mobile? After all, | | | | initiatives to address the safety issues surrounding |
| cars are designed with mobility in mind. | | | | in-car computing. Their partners in this endeavour |
| In-car computers used to belong to the realm of | | | | are the Connected Vehicle Trade Association. One |
| science-fiction. They were a pipe-dream and | | | | of their proposals includes a generic top-level |
| nothing more. Now though, it seems that every | | | | domain that would "dumb down websites" while |
| major IT player is developing technology that will | | | | they're being used in vehicles. An article in |
| make that dream a reality. Microsoft is busy with | | | | proposes text-to-speech software that would |
| Auto, a system that allows for voice recognition, | | | | read text aloud, enabling drivers to concentrate |
| as well as navigation and emergency response | | | | on the road ahead. |
| services. It currently has a contract with Ford, but | | | | Finally, Intel is working on a vehicle-friendly version |
| that will expire soon and it's expected that either | | | | of its Moblin OS. It's a Linux-based system, which |
| Hyundai or Kia will pick it up. | | | | runs on atom processors and will control in-car |
| BMW is working on a system that will allow | | | | systems as well as multimedia functions. It also |
| unrestricted access to the Net in all of their new | | | | allows third-party developers to build applications |
| 2008 cars. There are some restrictions in place, | | | | and services that can be added to the platform. |
| however, as the technology will only be available in | | | | In-car computing sounds like a terrific innovation |
| Europe, at least for the time being. BMW has also | | | | and a significant step forward for IT-related |
| wisely limited the access of front seat passengers | | | | industries. Traffic authorities, who are still |
| so that they can only use the service when the | | | | struggling to get a handle on drivers using their |
| car is travelling under 3mph (4.8kph). Front seat | | | | phones while travelling, will bear the brunt of its |
| passengers searching the Net are one thing, but | | | | disadvantages, however, and may not view it as |
| the idea of drivers searching for information is | | | | favourably as others. Data recovery specialists, |
| terrifying, regardless of how slowly they're going. | | | | on the other hand, can expect business to go |
| Back seat passengers, meanwhile, are free to | | | | through the roof with the influx of hard drives |
| interact online to their heart's content, whether | | | | damaged in automotive skirmishes. |