Willie Racine's Jeep

Turn Your Jeep into a Mobile Office

All Jeep vehicles can now be setup with Mopar's Wifi Hotspot Kit.  Made up of Bluetooth hands-free, hard-drive based media, Sirius TV & Radio, GPS and, most interestingly, the ability to turn your car into a WiFi hotspot.

The uconnect Web function uses a router with built-in WWAN modem, that allows multiple laptops and other devices to get online whether the car is stationary or moving.  Chrysler's carrier partner is Autonet Mobile, who charge $449 for the router (plus up to $50 installation), $35 for account activation and then $29 a month subscription.  Connection speeds have not been revealed, but while Chrysler cautions against using the wireless while driving, there's no actual safety measure to prevent it.

uconnect Phone uses integrated microphones to act as a handsfree kit for a Bluetooth-linked cellphone; new for 2009 is phonebook syncronization for up to 1,000 contacts, which can be browsed and dialled via voice command.  Certain models will also allow iPod connectivity through the system.  uconnect Tunes uses a 30GB hard-drive to store music, photos and video ripped from either USB stick or CD, while for navigation, meanwhile, uconnect GPS shows directions and real-time traffic information.  It also responds to voice control of destination setting. 

Finally, uconnect Studios offers SIRIUS Backseat TV and optional digital radio, with three TV channels and over 130 radio stations to choose from.  Pricing for the other uconnect functionality is yet to be announced.

What it does: Uses Bluetooth® technology to provide voice-controlled wireless communication between the occupants' compatible mobile phones and the vehicle's onboard receiver. New for 2009, the hands-free system automatically downloads up to 1,000 phone book entries from supported phones. The system also recognizes three languages, and is capable of learning. Voice commands can manage onboard phone book entries, select radio stations and access voice mail. Voice memos can be recorded using the microphone that's integrated within the rearview mirror. Three memos of up to thirty seconds each can be stored in the system. The hands-free option promotes safety, freedom, value and flexibility.
Availability: Chrysler 300, Aspen, PT Cruiser, Sebring and Town & Country; Dodge Avenger, Grand Caravan, Caliber, Challenger, Charger, Dakota, Durango, Journey, Nitro, and Ram; Jeep® Grand Cherokee, Commander, Compass, Liberty and Patriot