For a few years, Autonet Mobile has been promoting their in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, which uses a Sprint wireless broadband connection (kind of a 3G EVDO Wi-Fi MVNO 4x4, you dig?) to provide connectivity on the go, though actually getting it was a bit of a challenge. Until recently, the device seemed to be in a perpetual state of "coming soon" when it comes to direct purchase via the product website -- though a new WEP-only version of the unit is now available for around $500 for a number of retail outlets.

Autonet service had started to show up via a few scattered car rental agencies at the rock bottom price of $10.95 per day. Though as we were writing this, we noticed that their biggest partner on that front, Avis, has since stopped offering it.

Availability does seem to be improving with automakers, with Chrysler offering the service as an option this year -- and Cadillac now offering it in their CTS sport sedan starting this April, according to a company press release. Still, it's not entirely clear that the service is worth it.

Something the release unsurprisingly omits is that the $30 per month option comes with a 1GB monthly cap, and you'll need to pay $60 per month for a more industry-standard (AT&T, Verizon and Sprint) monthly cap of 5GB. Depending on your needs and carrier (T-Mobile's cap is 10GB), you might just be better off simply buying a less expensive mobile router like the Cradlepoint PHS300. That's assuming that just a smart phone or tethered laptop isn't enough connectivity for you while driving at 80 MPH.