Microsoft test-driving Wi-Fi use in vehicles
Seattle PI | at | by Mike
The advent of municipal Wi-Fi systems, blanketing some cities with wireless Internet access, brings one thought to the mind of the modern computer geek.
"Hey, why not use it while I'm driving around?" Of course, for the person behind the wheel, there's a big reason why not. But computer systems and passengers in moving cars, shuttles and other vehicles might benefit from connecting to community Wi-Fi networks on the move.
That's the basic idea behind recent work by researchers at the University of Massachusetts, Microsoft and the University of Washington. Although many people already use cellular broadband networks for mobile Internet connections, community Wi-Fi systems offer technical advantages and a lower cost of access.