The 2011 Audi A8 boasts, according to the company, the “first factory-installed WLAN hotspot in a car.” Passengers in both the front and rear seats will be able to get their Wi-Fi on with up to eight devices, including laptops, the iPad and the like.
Here’s how it works (from Audi):
To activate Internet access with speeds up to 7.2 Mbit/s, the driver merely needs to insert a data-capable SIM card into the Bluetooth online car phone. Alternatively, an Internet connection can be established via Bluetooth by using a compatible mobile phone with a SIM Access Profile. Any existing mobile phone contract can be used for this — often coupled with a flat-rate data plan.
The security is a nice touch. Who knows, maybe in the future we’ll all be looking for Wi-Fi networks to leech from on a road trip just like we do in a cafe or — let’s be honest — our homes and apartments.
It’s worth mentioning that you’ll want to find out if your mobile plan has a “flat-rate data plan” included, as paying for data à la carte can be rather pricey.
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