AT&T today announced Car Connection 2.0, a plug-in module and monthly service for cars that allows users to track their vehicles and myriad other functions.
Car Connection 2.0 costs $99 for the module and $10 per month for data service. The device plugs into most cars’ data ports. The service lets parents monitor teen driver behavior and can even set geo-fences to contain younger drivers.
Car Connection 2.0 can help locate cars, as well as provide notifications for maintenance issues such as the check engine light, battery status, and hundreds of other vehicle functions. Some of the safety features include roadside assistance and automatic crash response, fuel/trip reports, stolen vehicle assistance, and remote access via an accompanying smartphone application.
Existing Car Connection owners should be able to add these functions to their unit with a software upgrade. The Car Connection 2.0 device, made by Audiovox, will reach AT&T stores later this month. Verizon has a similar vehicle plug-in that it announced in January.
Autonet & AT&T Partnership
AT&T will provide 4G LTE connected for Autonet services. Autonet currently works with Chrysler Fiat Automobiles, General Motors (Chevy, Buick Cadillac) , Maserati, Subaru and others.
Drivers use Autonet Mobile for remote start remote lock/unlock, teen driver monitoring/controls and Wi-Fi. Autonet Mobile over-the-air updates and vehicle diagnostics.
In 2014, AT&T launched the AT&T Drive Studio in Atlanta and automotive development platform, AT&T Drive.
