Ford vehicles to get dashboard PC mobile broadband!

Ford is to introduce what it claims to be “the worlds first broadband-capable in-dash computer system,” to selected US models.

As part of the Ford Work Solutions package, drivers of Ford F-150, Super Duty, E-Series and Transit Connect trucks will have internet access through US operator Sprint Nextel’s mobile broadband service, with computer hardware from Italian-based automotive systems vendor Magneti Marelli, running under the Microsoft Auto operating system.

Ford Motor and Opera Software have announced a collaboration to add Web browsing to the Internet-enabled in-dash computers that Ford is installing in some of its trucks and vans. The built-in Ford Work Solutions computer, which is being marketed to contractors, farmers, construction workers and business owners, is equipped with Microsoft Auto, a version of the Windows CE operating system.

In addition to accessing the Web through the Opera browser, the computer can run LogMeIn to enable remote access to office and home PCs. The computer also includes Garmin GPS navigation and is integrated into the vehicle cell phone. Internet access, through Sprint’s 3G network is available for $25 a month for a 25-megabyte plan or $50 for up to 5 gigabytes of data, which should be more than enough for the vast majority of users.

Ford Work Solutions in-dash computer sits in space normally occupied by the standard radio. It has a 6.5-inch touch screen, 4GB of memory, a secure digital (SD) slot, a USB port and a wireless keyboard and mouse. An onboard Ford-certified, Bluetooth battery-powered HP Officejet H470wbt mobile inkjet printer is also available.Other options are a DeWalt RFID kit for tagging tools and valuables, Garmin satellite navigation, and the Microlise vehicle fleet management application installed as part of Ford’s in-vehicle telematics package.The computer costs $1,125. It has a 6.5-inch screen and comes with a wireless Bluetooth keyboard. Ford sells an optional wireless Hewlett-Packard printer. The device also has an AM/FM radio and a CD player.

You can use the radio, CD, navigation system and phone while driving, but for safety reasons, the computer and Internet access work only while the vehicle is parked. Also, the system does not allow you to stream Internet audio or video, even while stationary.

Ford says it’s the first vehicle manufacturer in North America to offer an installed Internet device, though there are several in-dash aftermarket devices and, of course, it’s long been possible to use an Internet-connected laptop in a car.

It makes a lot of sense for Ford to offer this to its business customers, many of whom spend the better part of their day in and around their vehicles. Before the economy put a damper on construction, it wasn’t uncommon to see contractors and construction foremen pull out a laptop to get or send information vital to the job.

And having a Web browser makes sense, given the vast amount of resources it makes available. The Ford device also lets users send and receive e-mail and text messages. A message from the office with an address of a job, for example, can be pasted into the GPS application, making navigation a bit easier.

As someone who doesn’t own a truck and probably never will, I’m not a potential customer for this system. But I’m sure Ford and other automakers have considered a consumer version for passenger cars.

If they do offer one — and I’m sure it’s inevitable — I hope they include a media player with the ability to stream audio while the car is in motion. I support not allowing the driver to surf the Web or watch video while driving, but I see no harm in enabling it for passengers.

Drivers can now listen to Internet radio on an iPhone plugged into a car audio system using iPhone apps such as Pandora, Tuner and AOL Radio. Shortly after the iPhone 3G came out, I drove around Silicon Valley with Mercury News reporter Troy Wolverton listening live to East Coast stations and overseas radio and streaming music via Pandora.

While it worked, there are some problems with the iPhone solution. Not only are the phone and service expensive, the device is not designed to be used safely from the car. It’s OK to listen but not safe to tune in a station while driving, even though I’m sure people do it. It would be equally dangerous to use a Web browser to tune into Internet radio while driving.

But it would be nice if future versions of products like this let you use the browser to configure your preferred stations while stationary or from home or work and put up a push-button interface on the screen that lets you tune into your favorite online stations as your car radio now let you access AM, FM and satellite stations.

I think Internet radio could strike a deathblow to satellite radio and present challenges to terrestrial radio stations and networks, including those of CBS, where I serve part time as an on-air and online technology analyst. Of course, broadcasters are already streaming their programming online (most CBS stations are now available on the iPhone through AOL Radio). But in an online world, they will have to compete with anyone who invests as little as a few hundred dollars in a PC, some audio gear and a Web site.

Today, people get live audio in their cars by listening to terrestrial stations that have FCC licenses and expensive transmitters, or to satellite radio with really expensive satellites floating around in space. Competition will be good for consumers as it pressures stations and networks to be more competitive.

Opera’s Americas senior vice president Rod Hamlin said: “This solution will allow Ford truck and van owners to maintain a virtual work environment with access to all of the important files, information and applications they need.”

Aside from building Internet media players in the dash, the auto industry needs to persuade cellular carriers to lower the cost of data plans. Sprint’s $50 plan, which is $10 less than the plan offered for laptops, is a good start. But I’d like to see prices come down further — perhaps to $19.95 a month.