Subaru brings (optional) in-car Wi-Fi to the 2011 Outback

Mobile 3G access is getting to the point where it actually seems fairly easy to acquire. Well easy, but still not free. Either way though there are plenty of options available ranging from USB dongles to MiFi devices to Mobile Hotspot apps on smartphones. Granted the MiFi and Mobile Hotspot apps are a little more convenient because they allow you to connect a few other devices over Wi-Fi. And given these can go anywhere you go and are generally small enough to fit in most pockets that should be what you would want.

Enter Subaru and in-car Wi-Fi. They seem to think that we want our cars to be broadcasting as a mobile hotspot. And honestly, a few years back I would have been all over something like this. At this point I will stick with my Mobile Hotspot app.

But if you feel different and want a mobile hotspot equipped car then you may want to consider the 2011 Subaru Outback, which will be equipped with Autonet Mobile. In short, Autonet Mobile is a router that is installed in your car.

And as you would expect — it comes with a price. Both in the form of upfront cost and a monthly cost. The option to have it installed will be $499 (plus a $35 activation fee). And then you pay $29 for the service every month. But hey, at the very least the kids will be happily surfing the interwebs in the back seat on long drives.

Otherwise the Autonet Mobile service will allow up to 10 devices to connect and work in a range of about 150 feet. Sounds like a crowded car with 10 devices. But hey, at least you can now check Twitter and or Facebook when you step out of the car to take care of other business. That is as long as you stop and park within 150 feet of your destination.

Read (and image) [CNET]