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Why isn't my car on the Information Superhighway?

Posted on June 26, 2006 by Guest Contributor

Yesterday after work I got out to my car and realized I was almost out of gas. Not usually a huge deal but I was on a tight schedule. I now had to take time out and drive, in the opposite direction of my destination, to get gas. This annoyed me.

So I was thinking to myself, “I wish I could have known earlier if I was going to need gas or not so I could have factored this in.” Then it hit me – I need my car to be a little more proactive when it needs something. Yes, I could have just looked at the gauge before I went in to work or better yet I could have just paid attention and gotten gas the day before or earlier. But with technology embedded almost everywhere, why is it that I don’t have the option of getting emails or text messages from my car when it needs things done?

AutoCom3000 LogoThis would be so cool. You could just install a little gadget in your car and turn it on. Then you could log on to a website (my.autocom3000.com maybe?), enter your personal code found on your gadget, and then program it however you wish.

First off, I’d like to be emailed every month with a general update – you know, with interesting tidbits like how my gas mileage has been this month and compared to other months, my fluid levels, any service needs coming up (with a link to schedule an appointment at Jiffy Lube if need be), etc.

I’d also like to get a text message every day with my gas level. Is this silly? Probably, but I don’t care. I would find use in it. Maybe an IM when my car alarm goes off would be handy. Or even more useful, assuming I upgraded to the camera option, a series of photos around my car when the alarm goes off. I could finally figure out who’s been setting it off in the parking lot.

You might as well throw GPS tracking in this thing too – why not.

Is this so much to ask in today’s world? I should be able to walk in to Best Buy and pick up one of these things with an adapter for my particular car and then just slap it in. I’m sure that this, like many other would-be gadgets, are certainly technically possible. I’m betting the reason we don’t have something like this has a lot more to do with consumer demand. I guess my fist beating against the dashboard isn’t enough consumer demand. Geez, I’m not asking for a flying car, I just want it to communicate!!

And no, OnStar doesn’t do my dream justice by a long shot and I really don’t want to buy another car. OnStar has its pluses for sure but it’s a far cry from putting my car on the net, which is what I want.

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About

Jeremy Toeman is a seasoned Product leader with over 20 years experience in the convergence of digital media, mobile entertainment, social entertainment, smart TV and consumer technology. Prior ventures and projects include CNET, Viggle/Dijit/Nextguide, Sling Media, VUDU, Clicker, DivX, Rovi, Mediabolic, Boxee, and many other consumer technology companies. This blog represents his personal opinion and outlook on things.

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