BARCELONA, Spain--On display was one of Cadillac's more popular cars, rigged up with a 4G LTE connection from AT&T. The model, of course, isn't using AT&T's network (which doesn't yet stretch to Spain), and is more of a concept model of what can be done. Not pictured is the Chevy Malibu that was parked next to it.
The car has access to live streaming television courtesy of AT&T's U-Verse TV access. The connected cars will eventually be able to download apps to further augment the vehicle. The concept car was actually able to download apps from a marketplace, but the apps themselves wouldn't run.
Thanks to its 4G LTE connection, the car can act as a hotspot for other Wi-Fi-enabled devices. The common connection, meanwhile, allows a device like the iPad to access features of the car, like streaming entertainment.
There are security cameras at the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle. The feeds can be shot over to a connected tablet or smartphone. Or you could opt to watch the feed even if you're not in the car.
In addition to getting the feeds on a phone or tablet, you can pull them up on the center dashboard. GM says that after its U.S. brands get a 4G LTE connection next year, it will work on its overseas units as well.
From left: Mary Chan, vice president of global connected consumer at General Motors, Stephen Girsky, the vice chairman of GM, Ralph de la Vega, the CEO of AT&T Mobility, and Glenn Lurie, the head of emerging devices at AT&T. The executives hosted a roundtable discussion with the media at Mobile World Congress.
