T-Mobile has launched the SyncUP DRIVE, an all-in-one solution for in-vehicle 4G LTE connectivity, driving analysis, vehicle tracking, and maintenance monitoring.
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The accessory plugs into the on-board diagnostic port, standard on most vehicles manufactured in 1996 or later. The OBD-II port is typically located underneath the driver's side dashboard, often within close proximity of the steering wheel. It is the same port used by mechanics to diagnose vehicle and engine problems.
The plug-in device can create a Wi-Fi hotspot that allows up to five devices to use 4G LTE cellular data. Meanwhile, the companion app uses GPS to track the vehicle's location, and it can provide maintenance reminders, recall info, speed limit warnings, and car trouble notifications with Diagnostic Trouble Codes.
SyncUP DRIVE is similar to the Automatic Pro, which also plugs into the OBD-II port and provides trip logging, business expensing, engine light diagnostics, fill-up logging, crash alerts, parking tracking, and more through a companion iPhone app. Automatic Pro costs $129.95 and includes unlimited 3G syncing for five years.
SyncUP DRIVE will be available on November 18 for $149.99. For a limited time, customers purchasing the device on a 24-month installment plan with at least 2GB of data per month will get the accessory for free after 24 monthly bill credits. The device is not compatible with electric, hybrid, or diesel vehicles.
The companion SyncUp DRIVE app for iPhone, developed by Mojio, will be available for free on the App Store.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)That OBD-2 port is getting kind of crowded.
Maybe Apple has a dongle for that too?And speed limit data? Are people really so clueless they need an app to tell them they're driving too fast? Jeez.
I just wanted to mention that I love that Waze always displays the speed limit in the lower left corner of the screen.I know when I'm driving physically too fast, but speed limits are just arbitrary laws that random states and towns pass so that they can tell you you did something wrong and fine you. They'll hide the signs so that you can't see them*. But Waze will reliably tell you what the speed limit is.
* I know you can challenge it in court, but that takes time and effort. It's much easier to just know what the speed limit is and not worry about seeing the sign or not and whether where they placed the sign is legal or not.
And speed limit data? Are people really so clueless they need an app to tell them they're driving too fast? Jeez.
The overwhelming majority of my route to and from work has a speed limit of 40 MPH. The big exception is one section of the road, where the speed limit drops to 35 MPH, but only in one direction. Yes, the other direction on the same stretch of road is 40 MPH. The signs for this are hidden, and the local police run speed traps there.Depending on how detailed the speed limit information is, this could also be really useful for school zones. I used to drive through one that was nearly a mile long with multiple stoplights in it. They only had the flashing school zone light at the beginning. It was extremely easy to forget that it was still a school zone when you pulled away from a long red light. Especially when right on the other side of the intersection, there was a "Speed Limit 40" sign with no sub-sign for the school zone hours or speed.