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Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:
If there were any doubt that IoT is for real, one fact ought to dispel it: For the first time, U.S. mobile operators are adding IoT connections to their networks faster than they’re adding phones.
In fact, cars alone are getting connected to cellular networks faster than anything else, according to statistics compiled by Chetan Sharma Consulting for the second quarter of this year. Counting all U.S. carriers, about 1.4 million cars got connected to cellular networks in the quarter, compared with 1.2 million phones and less than 900,000 tablets.
The second quarter, between April and June, isn’t a high point for new phone sales like the fourth quarter, when holiday shopping hits and new iPhone models roll out. But IoT growth has been a long-term trend.
AT&T, the carrier that’s led in connected cars, has already been adding them faster than phones and tablets combined for seven consecutive quarters, says Sharma, a longtime mobile industry analyst. AT&T’s on track to reach 10 million car connections soon, he said.
For now, most of those cars have been tuning in without their drivers lifting a finger, Sharma said. It’s the car companies that are rolling out vehicles with live cellular connections, which can help them do things like monitor the condition of their cars, update the software on board, and learn things that could help them improve future models. Keeping vehicles online may also reduce the need for expensive recalls where cars have to come back into the shop.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Friday August 12 2016, @08:14PM
So I'm going 60 MPH on a twisty mountain road in a driving snowstorm when they instrument panel is entirely replaced with "Firmware Update Failed".
I don't want my things to be in the Internet.
I used to drive Grandpa Crawford's 1950s Chevy pickup truck. The starter didn't work so well so you had to be careful to park it uphill, then to start it by rolling backwards and popping the clutch at just the right time, then slamming the clutch on when it accellerated in reverse.
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: 3, Funny) by quintessence on Friday August 12 2016, @09:41PM
I would hope automakers are smart enough to keep separate systems for vital functions and infotainment systems. If not, they'll soon get wise once the lawsuits start coming in.
I could see discreet LANs coming into play with encrypted keys to gain access from the web, but yeah, the current implementation leaves much to be desired.
I forget the exact details, but something to the effect of having to sawzall through the rear bulkhead of a BMW when the electronic key got locked in the trunk (also where the battery was) and the fail secure system denied access (replacement key was near $700 plus towing) soured me on anything that a locksmith couldn't fix on site.
(Score: 1) by claywar on Friday August 12 2016, @09:46PM
From my own personal experience, upgrades have always required the car to be parked/not running in order to install.
(Score: 2) by BananaPhone on Sunday August 14 2016, @12:05AM
Updates should NEVER be done on the road.
The update should be done when you do an old change or maintenance.
That way, when the update bricks your car, you have mechanics/hackers to fix the car.
Imagine you are on a road trip with the kids and you have to say:
" Sorry kids, GM updated the car's firmware and it broke the car. we can't go to Disneyland.(tm)(c)"
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 13 2016, @04:52AM
Hi. I don't really KNOW you, but I've seen you here and there online throughout the years, mostly via kuro5hin. I'm glad you're still alive and hopefully well.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
(Score: 2) by acid andy on Saturday August 13 2016, @10:09AM
Don't drive at 60 mph when you're on a twisty road in a driving snow storm.
If a cat has kittens, does a rat have rittens, a bat bittens and a mat mittens?
(Score: 3, Touché) by stormreaver on Saturday August 13 2016, @12:59PM
So I'm going 60 MPH on a twisty mountain road in a driving snowstorm....
Perhaps in this scenario, the problem isn't the Internet of Things.