First, Man invented telephones.
Then, Man developed cell phones.
First, Man invented computers.
Then, Man developed laptops.
Both cellular phones and laptops allow people to make their media mobile by taking it with them wherever they go.
Now, Chrysler is considering offering Wi-Fi and Internet connectivity in its 2009 models to serve as a new entertainment option for children in the back seat. While parents may appreciate this technology to busy the rowdy kids in the back seat, Internet signals will not be confined to the back seat, ultimately adding yet another temptation for front-seat occupants and another distraction for drivers. What will keep drivers from checking for that last e-mail before a presentation at work? What will prevent teens from taking a peak at the YouTube video playing on the laptop screen in their passenger's lap?
While Chrysler's Wi-Fi service, called UConnect, will enable passengers to stay further connected in the one place where they spend a lot of time and are not currently connected, it does pose many concerns for the safety of everyone in the car by public health groups and insurance industry representatives. Studies have found that drivers talking on their cell phones were four times more likely to get into serious crashes. In most cases, a person can talk on a cell phone with one hand. How many people do you know that can work on a laptop with only one hand?
Although Chrysler is looking to advance technology to the next step, is this advancement safe for the rest of the world? Does it allow us as a society to become too dependent on having media access with us at all times? And will it change its users to where they are too busy to speak and spend time with one another in the car?
I do not think the world is ready to have Chrysler's wireless internet service in the hands of drivers. I do not think that we are ready for this technological advancement.
For more information on this new media topic, please visit http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/technology/24digi.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin.
2 comments:
Very interesting. Please, Lindley, keep us posted! The roads are already unsafe--I hope wi-fi on the road doesn't happen!
Hmm... this story is very interesting. Although I do agree with you that safety is a concern when using wifi on the road, maybe we can use wifi in different ways that could benefit traveling, kind of like GPS systems.
For example, there's an iPhone application called "Where" which tells you where the nearest gas stations is along with their gas prices, or where the nearest Starbucks is... you know, to get that quick fix;)
Maybe this wifi idea may not be a completely bad idea, if used properly. Any thoughts?
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