Volkswagen gets us internet mobile with it's latest Accessory

Autonet Mobile has announced an agreement to equip the Volkswagen Routan Minivan with uconnect web – an in-car internet service

Beginning in June 2009, more than 600 Volkswagen dealerships in the United States will offer Routan owners the opportunity to add uconnect web.

With Autonet Mobile, the Routan becomes a WiFi hotspot, connecting every passenger and delivering reliable and easy-to-use internet access.

Passengers can bring all of their own WiFi enabled devices such as laptops, netbooks, Nintendo’s DS, Sony’s PSP, iPod touch and other devices on the road.

Passengers in the back seat can IM, connect on Facebook, watch YouTube videos or play online games, while the front seat passenger checks traffic, makes dinner reservations or listens to internet radio.

“Volkswagen is committed to delivering vehicles that epitomize and enhance our digital customers’ lifestyle, and the Routan is a modern family vehicle” said Mark Barnes, CEO of Volkswagen of America.

In the UK and most parts of Europe, mobile internet is currently reliant on 3G cellular services using PC cards or USB dongles from the likes of Vodafone and 3, but we can expect to see dedicated mobile networking providers develop more cost effective solutions, following in the steps of Autonet Mobile, and we see a lot of exciting opportunities from this, just as affordable broadband internet has delivered in the home.

So, you need never have another conversation in the car – just send the driver an email!