It was inevitable: Cars are getting high-speed Internet access and turning into mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. It's great for impatient backseat passengers and drivers who want the latest navigation information on summer trips, but could Web access someday open up the family minivan to hackers?

Autonet Mobile recently announced that Volkswagen dealers would offer its "uconnect web" Internet package in its vehicles. Autonet's $514 option includes a Wi-Fi router that can be hidden in a trunk or under a seat. The router connects to the Internet using Verizon's high-speed cellular data network and then shares the connection with any Wi-Fi device in or near the car. Monthly Internet access costs $29, delivering speeds from 800 Kbps to 1.2 Mbps, similar to home DSL service.

"We want to become the ISP or the network for cars," explains Sterling Pratz, CEO of Autonet Mobile. FULL STORY

The Digital Transition: Viewers Scramble for TV Converters
Government coupons still available

The switchover from analog to digital over-the-air television broadcasts is finally happening. Cable and satellite TV subscribers don't have to worry, but if you've been using rabbit ears or a conventional outdoor antenna to get free TV, you'll need a digital-to-analog converter box to keep watching.

The boxes cost from $50 to $70 with $40 government coupons still available until the end of July (call 888-225-5322 or visit www.dtv.gov). However, phone lines are jammed and there are millions of coupons out there that haven't been redeemed yet. So expect to see a mad, last-minute scramble at stores.

For a full explanation of what's happening, watch JQ's recent segment at right on CBS News.

Internet Radios Making Waves

Tivoli Audio, Philips, AR, iLuv and others offer new models

Communications

If you still haven't done your taxes (and we know who we are) you don't have time to read this article. So click on the video, left.

If you can't play the CBS report, here's the quick rundown:

Those earning $54,000 or less can file their federal returns for free online at IRS.gov. As a come-on, the IRS is claiming that those who file electronically will receive their rebate checks sooner.

While servers will doubtless start to become overwhelmed as the April 15 deadline approaches, there are three software packages/online filing services we typically find to be the most reliable: TaxAct, TaxCut, and TurboTax.

TaxAct is the least expensive at about $17 to file both federal and state forms. However, it's a bit slow (one question per page) and it won't find deductions for you. However, for EZ filers, TaxAct is a good choice.

TaxCut, about $45 for both forms, is from the folks at H&R Block. It has steadily improved each year, and this season it has even more relevant advice, such as pointing out how certain deductions get phased out according to income. However, TaxCut doesn't have all the data importing abilities of TurboTax.

TurboTax, starting at about $50, is from the makers of Quicken. In terms of completeness, this is the market leader. TurboTax makes it easy to import W-2s and 1099s directly from many employers and financial institutions. There's also a new audit risk meter (hey, doing your taxes can be like playing a game—not!).

But do-it-yourselfers shouldn't get too sanguine. The closer you get to the deadline, the tougher it will be to get support calls through. So get to it.