Modern, connected conveniences now available on the go

American consumers are more connected than they have ever been.

The car is one area where our digital lives used to get a brief rest, as we might turn on the radio and just drive, but increasingly, our cars are plugged in as well.

Blanks added, "We also have 'InControl Remote,' which allows you to set the temperature and start the vehicle from your phone. One of my favorite tech features in the new 2017 Land Rover Discovery is the ability to adjust or set-up the seats from your phone."

There are some products, like Zubie, that create a Wi-Fi hotspot for an older car. You don’t need to buy a whole new car to enter the modern age if you use this service. But new cars increasingly will have Internet connectivity built in as a standard or additional feature.

Jaguar Land Rover offers prepaid unlimited data plans to owners of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles with InControl Wi-Fi, which gives users access to the latest infotainment services, including Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities for up to eight devices.

"Wireless connectivity and connected car services continue to be a key driver for new vehicle purchases," said David Larsen, product planning manager for Jaguar Land Rover North America.

Joe Mosele, vice president of Internet of Things Solutions for AT&T, added, "By accessing the Internet through the AT&T wireless network, passengers can now enjoy their content and entertainment on the go."

InControl Wi-Fi is available as a standard feature and on option on select Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles including the Jaguar XE, XF, XJ and F-PACE, and Land Rover vehicles including the Discovery and Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Evoque models.

Using Wi-Fi while driving should only be done for specific tasks, of course. You can use your phone to listen to music or as navigation; but texting, watching videos and reading articles online should never be done.

That being said, many exciting things are being done to connect the driver and passengers to the Internet and all of the benefits it makes possible.

Land Rover has safety features that connect online. The InControl Remote is an emergency SOS system so you can alert the authorities of an urgent situation when you need assistance.

There is a cover you will have to remove before you push the button so you do not hit it accidentally.

Also in the Land Rover is the InControl Secure system, which tracks your vehicle in the event of a theft. When your vehicle is taken, InControl Secure tracks it and discreetly passes up-to-the-second data to the police as they close in.

There are even new features that connect to your dealer service center to report problems.

If your vehicle is not fully functioning, information can be given to your mechanic so they are aware and can assist.

Vehicles are becoming just as plugged in and connected as every other facet of our lives. Smart homes and smart cars may mean you won’t have to always have a smartphone glued to your hand.

One problem with all the new upgrades can be figuring out how to use it all.

"Thankfully, modern car sales professionals are trained not just on the horsepower of the vehicles, but also on all the hi-tech features," Blanks pointed out.

Make sure you get the sales person to fully explain what the features do and how to operate them.