GM puts AT&T 4G service in all its models starting in 2014

Welcome to the future, where we care as much about how fast a new car can download data as we do about how fast it can go. This turning point comes courtesy of General Motors, which announced today that late next year most of the cars and trucks it sells in the United States will come with AT&T 4G cellular service built in — which could be used for anything from mobile WiFi to streaming video. AT&T's chief says cars will soon be "just a big smartphone on wheels," which should set off a few alarms among distracted driving crusaders.

GM has long had cellular service built into its vehicles via OnStar, but that setup used Verizon's older 2G system — which didn't allow for voice and data calls simultaneously, and couldn't provide as much data as a typical driver's cell phone. Luxury automakers — Audi, BMW and Tesla — have already been selling models with cellular data connections for dashboard apps; Audi and Chrysler have planned mobile WiFi rollouts, allowing up to 8 passengers to surf and ride.