This just out of CES 2011 - future BMWs will soon be using AT&T's mobile broadband network for always-on in-car access to traffic, weather, and infotainment services such as web access, webradio, facebook, and twitter. See the following press release, via
Engadget.
PRESS RELEASE
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AT&T to Provide Wireless Services for Enhanced Functionality to Premium Automaker
Enhanced Suite of Connected Services Delivered Over AT&T Mobile Broadband Network
DALLAS, Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T*, the leader in emerging devices, today announced an agreement with BMW to wirelessly deliver an enhanced suite of safety and infotainment services to future BMW models.
These enhancements build on BMW's existing portfolio of connected services – known as BMW Assist – which includes, among others features, direct access to emergency and concierge call center services, traffic information and an online portal for weather forecasts, fuel prices, and news.
Contractual and financial details are not being disclosed. Information on enhanced services will be made available at launch.
"This is an exciting opportunity," said Glenn Lurie, president, emerging devices, resale and partnerships, AT&T. "BMW has been an industry leader in the connected vehicle space for many years and we look forward to providing the wireless network that will keep drivers connected to the content and services they rely on."
AT&T created its emerging device organization in late 2008 as part of a strategic initiative to introduce wireless capabilities to a host of new consumer electronics, tracking and healthcare devices, and other applications beyond the traditional handset.
The organization is a key component of AT&T's business strategy to further grow its wireless penetration and develop new distribution models - and it builds on AT&T's industry-leading work over the past decade with enterprise customers to enable specialty devices to access its wireless network.
AT&T, which offers the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, announced in October that more than 4.5 million connected devices had been added to the AT&T network in the past four quarters. The total third quarter emerging devices growth, which includes 1.2 million connected devices as well as embedded computing devices, was nearly 1.6 million.