The Mobile World Congress may have just started, but the biggest names in the industry have already begun unveiling their news. Among them is Samsung, which introduced its Connect Auto device. This small dongle converts an LTE signal into WiFi access, allowing every passenger in a car to enjoy high-speed internet while on the move.
A WiFi Hotspot for Your Car
The trend of making our cars "smart" through deeper connectivity and a range of services designed for drivers is impossible to ignore today. Almost every web titan has a vehicle-related project in its arsenal, and if there is an ideal place to learn more about them, it is the Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona. In the coming days, we'll see a deluge of new products from the expo floor, and one of the first to make its debut is the Samsung Connect Auto.
At first glance, the Connect Auto is a sort of "dongle" that plugs into the OBD-II port available in most models released over the last 20 years. Its main purpose, however, is not diagnostics but rather providing connectivity to the driver and passengers, acting as a WiFi hotspot. The signal it receives depends on the mobile network and, depending on the provider's resources, can reach LTE speeds. The device runs Tizen as its operating system, and according to comments from the South Korean giant, there are plans to develop apps compatible with iOS and Android that will provide real-time data about the vehicle's condition, "in addition" to receiving WiFi signal.
A Step Toward a New Ecosystem
There are still no solid details on availability or price of the Samsung Connect Auto, but we do know it will be available across the pond in the second half of the year, with AT&T as the leading carrier. Now, I'm sure many users think a smartphone can already offer a similar connectivity function with the help of "tethering", and that is certainly true. However, Samsung's bet goes much further. The Connect Auto is likely the first step toward developing an entire new ecosystem, and if the device's price is reasonable, I believe we'll hear more about it.
Here is the official announcement:
