Update: Apparently Time Warner has put a "temporary patch" into place while they figure out a permanent solution. [Wired]
The Sync system will let you plug in your own USB mobile broadband modem, and that's it—no additional hardware or subscriptions needed from Ford. Ford uses the wirelss broadband to turn your car into a Wi-Fi hotspot on four wheels. It's also a secured (WPA2) wireless connection, requiring a password to safeguard against other drivers munching on your bandwidth. It should be available sometime next year, hopefully in time for me to stream "It's Always Sunny..." on my next road trip.
FORD SYNC GOES WIFI TURNING CAR INTO MOBILE INTERNET HOT SPOT FOR PASSENGERS WHILE ON THE GO
* Next-generation SYNC® system to incorporate in-car WiFi system powered by customer's USB mobile broadband modem, turning entire car into hot spot
* New capability will be standard on select SYNC-equipped vehicles with no additional hardware or subscriptions required beyond the user-supplied mobile broadband modem
* Standard WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) security protocols will be in force, and only owner-permitted devices will be able to access the network, helping ensure secure, robust connectivity for in-car users
DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 21, 2009 – Ford Motor Company will turn vehicles into rolling
WiFi hot spots when it introduces the second generation of its popular SYNC® in-car connectivity system next year.Inserting an owner's compatible USB mobile broadband modem – sometimes called an "air card" – into SYNC's USB port will produce a secure wireless connection that will be broadcast throughout the vehicle, allowing passengers with WiFi-enabled mobile devices to access the Internet anywhere the broadband modem receives connectivity.
"While you're driving to grandma's house, your spouse can be finishing the holiday shopping and the kids can be chatting with friends and updating their Facebook profiles," said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. "And you're not paying for yet another mobile subscription or piece of hardware because Ford will let you use technology you already have."
Studies by the Consumer Electronics Association show that as many as 77 million adults make up the so-called technology enthusiast drivers population, more than half of whom express the desire for a connected communications and information system in their vehicles. Even among the general population, more than one third of Americans would be interested in the ability to check email and access Web sites in their vehicles.
Upgradeable and secure
The USB port provided by SYNC lets owners leverage a variety of devices, including the mobile broadband modem. And through simple software updates, SYNC can be adapted to connect with the latest devices."The speeds with which technology is evolving, particularly on the wireless front, makes obsolescence a real problem," said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford's Connected Services Solutions Organization. "We've solved that problem by making SYNC work with just about any technology you plug into it. By leveraging a user's existing hardware, which can be upgraded independent of SYNC, we've helped ensure ‘forward compatibility' with whatever connectivity technology comes next."
The SYNC WiFi capability is a simple solution for bringing internet into the vehicle, versus competitive systems on the market. Being factory-installed, the hardware is seamlessly integrated into the vehicle, whereas competitor's systems are dealer-installed and require a bulky bolt-in receiver and transmitter that take up cabin space. Also, competitive systems cost approximately $500 for equipment and installation, not to mention the monthly subscription fee.
"Using SYNC with existing mobile devices helps Ford provide the most value, the most flexibility and the most convenience for owners," said Fields. "Constant connectivity is becoming a routine part of our customers' lives, and we're making existing technology more accessible without adding costs: That's the kind of value Ford drivers have learned to expect."
Using the SYNC WiFi system, a signal will be broadcast throughout the vehicle. Default security is set to WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), requiring users to enter a randomly chosen password to connect to the Internet. When SYNC sees a new WiFi device for the first time, the driver must specifically allow that device to connect, preventing unauthorized users from "piggybacking" on the SYNC-provided signal.
[Ford via All Things D, Image via All Things D]
Early leaks of the device were mostly right, but given that the Wi-Fi range is even further than expected—150ft, Sprint and Sierra claim—actually undersold it a bit. (WiMax is fast enough, and that Wi-Fi range is long enough, that you could conceivably use one of these as your primary source of internet at home. Nuts, basically.) A 1.4-inch LCD screen lets you know who's connected to what and how, and gives you a precise battery reading—fixing one of the dumbest problems with Verizon's Mifi. Actually, all around this device feels like the MiFi on steroids—it's even a bit bigger, at about 3 x 3 x .6 inches, though that's still pretty compact for what you're getting here.
The Overdrive goes on sale January 10th for $100.
With a two-year service agreement, ha! Thought you were getting out of that one, didn't you! Never. [Sprint]
The iPhoneModem application has been released as an unofficial application which means it will only work on a phone which has been jail-broken. This is understandable though as the carriers of these phones do not want laptops sucking up all the free data you get on an iPhone plan.
The software is simple to use and costs just $9.99. It comes in two parts. Firstly, you install some software on your jail-broken phone and secondly you install a desktop application on your laptop. Once done you activate both and surf away over your mobile phone signal. Kind of cool and very handy should you need emergency access where no wi-fi signal is available.
For full details and instructions on what it works with and Apples take on this whole thing, head on over to TechChee.
Ruf Bot uses the TWS 434 RF system
RF is just way too cool not to use in your designs. But if you're a newbie like me it is difficult to successfully build solid RF transmitters and receivers. When I started out I didn't realize that the larger breadboard I was working off of was causing a lot of the signal deviance because the metal traces on the breadboard worked like small capacitors and changed my circuit dynamics. So after much research I found the Reynolds Electronics RWS and TWS 434 RX/TX pair. I looked into a similar product by MING Microsystems and Radioshack but the Reynolds were superior in performance, cost and ease of use. So with that and two PIC 16F84's I started working on my serial RF link from my control interface (Joystick) to my robot. You can find these parts at http://www.rentron.com/rf_remote_control.htm
Measuring just 1.4” x 2.5” x 1.0”, these hardware-based USB modems build in with modem controllers, data pumps and on-board international DAA. Unlike other software based USB modems which utilize the processing capacity from the host PC’s, the Radicom USB Modems manage modem functionalities themself.
The modems provide 300 bps to 56K bps data rates, 14.4K bps fax, voice recording and playback, and a hot-swappable USB interface. Other features include caller ID, line-in-use, extension pick-up detect, and remote modem hang-up. The USB modem meets RoHS compliance directives, and conforms to all standards required for immediate shipping to US, Canada, Europe and other
major industrial countries around the globe.
The modems support Linux, Windows and Mac O/S.
Features:
USB 2.0 compatible
AT Command set
RJ-11 phone jack built in
Size: 1.4” (w) x 2.5” (D) x 1.0” (H) - w/ Enclosure
300 bps to 56K bps data rate
Upstream 48K bps, downstream 56K bps
14.4 kbps Fax – Class 1
Voice playback and recording
Generates and detects DTMF tones in voice mode
V.44 data compression
V.42bis and MNP-5 data compression
V.29 FastPOS support
Low power consumption and sleep mode (MB-U-E only)
LED power indication
Line-in use, extension pick-up and remote hang-up detection
Caller ID type I and II for select countries
Agency approvals:
Transferable FCC68, CS03 and CTR21 certifications
IEC/EN60950-1, EN55022B, EN55024 compliance
EN60601-1 (Medical Electronics) compliant (MB-U-E)
IEC60601 (Medical Electronics) compliant (HU-E)
FCC15B, CE Marking
Australia Telecom Compliant (HU-E-AU)
Model No. | Data | Fax / Voice | USB Controller | Enclosures | USB & Telco Port |
V92MB-U-E | 56K bps | Yes | Silicon Labs | Yes | Yes |
V92HU-E | 56K bps | Yes | Conexant | Yes | Yes |
56K bps | Yes | Silicon Labs | No | Yes | |
56K bps | Yes | Conexant | No | No |
Ratings @ 25o C
Parameter | Min | Typ | Max | Units |
| Tip / Ring Current Continuous | 10 | 20 | 120 | mA |
| Dielectric Withstanding Voltage | 1500 | VRMS | ||
| Operating Temperature | 0 | +70 | °C | |
| Relative Humidity (non-condensing) | 10 | 95 | % | |
| Voltage Requirement: 5V system | 4.40 | 5.00 | 5.25 | VDC |
| Current Consumption: Regular | 86 | 93 | 100 | mA |
| Current Consumption: Sleep Mode | 45 | 47 | 50 | mA |
| Transmit & Receive Level | -10 | -20 | -43 | dBm |
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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