Cars to turn into mobile Wi-Fi spots to connect to Facebook, Twitter

FACEBOOK, Twitter and MySpace are coming to your car -- soon you will be able to insert a conventional 3G SIM card into a slot somewhere in the dashboard to turn your vehicle into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.

Chris Ryan, boss of Strike, which imports mainly Bluetooth vehicle technology, says Australian motorists will become familiar with internet-connected vehicles in the next few years, just as they did with in-car entertainment and air-conditioning.

He says internet devices were a highlight of the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and that motorists "will benefit immensely from the new technology". Internet-empowered cars at the congress featured the SIM card slot below the in-car display.

Mr Ryan says it will allow passengers to plug into the internet "as if they were at an internet cafe and they can log in to all social networking sites at the click of a button".

"Passengers will be able to Skype, watch movies and email, etc," he says.

At the Mobile World Congress, Audi used a 3G-enabled A5 to show off navigation applications and streaming entertainment features. Audi plans to include 3G connectivity in select overseas A8 models later this year, according to Audi Australia spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf.

Mr Ryan says the feature will open up a world of information and services.

"From the comfort of the motorist's seat, they can make simultaneous voice and data connections," he says.

"Passengers will be able to use in-built navigation systems which are compatible with Google Earth and similar GPS systems. They will provide high-resolution, 3D satellite and aerial imagery as well as live traffic updates - extremely useful for motorists."

Meanwhile, Intel and Google are developing interactive dashboards with large screens showing 3D maps, web pages and videos.

They will be capable of providing restaurant reviews and venue information online while vehicles are moving.

Mr Ryan says Strike will import "in-car accessories, which will complement the new technology and that will see consumers have access to the convenience of the internet at their fingertips, no matter where there are".

But not everyone is as excited about the introduction of the internet to vehicles. Safety experts say it will distract drivers.

National Fatality Free Friday road safety initiative founder Russell White says giving drivers the ability to surf the net while driving is "too big a temptation".

First they had to ban TV screens in sight of the driver,

then it was use of mobile phones............

Whatever next???

Twitter and Facebook in the car, dialogues like ohhh I just farted, what should I do now? Enough of the moronic "infos" already now on the net.

If your dreaming of LOS, dream on. Lucky enough to get a decent Edge signal on most roads, let alone a 3G signal.