AT&T has announced the addition of more features to its Car Connection automotive dongle and service in order to better compete against similar services offered by OnStar, StraightTalk and Verizon. The updated features will also be pushed out to current users via software update.
AT&T’s Car Connection consists of a dongle and service plan that allows drivers of older vehicles without integrated telematics platforms the ability to take advantage of now-common features on newer cars, such as monitoring teen driver behavior, setting geo-fences to contain younger drivers, helping locate cars, as well as providing notifications for common maintenance needs such as interpreting the check engine light, battery status, and other key vehicle functions.
Safety features also include roadside assistance and automatic crash response, fuel/trip reports, stolen vehicle recovery assistance, and remote access via a companion smartphone app for $10 monthly and an Audiovox branded dongle for $99.99. Verizon Wireless and MVNO Straight Talk also offer nearly identical services, with slight differences in features and monthly pricing.
