A Vancouver company, REV Technologies, has plans underway to convert an ordinary car into an Internet-connected `smart' car; thanks largely to its small `moj. io' device which users can plug into their cars to have apps delivered to them via a cellular connection.

Terming the moj. io device as the first open platform for car apps, REV Technologies said that the device's installation into the onboard diagnostics port of any ordinary car helps the users to communicate, in real-time, with smart phone apps for consumers, service providers, and automotive retailers.

According to the moj. io developers, the device makes use of the cellular network for connecting the users' car to the Internet, apps on their handsets, and several other things. In the US, the moj. io device works on T-Mobile's nationwide machine-to-machine network; while, in Canada, it works on the Rogers network.

With moj. io. com having recently launched the moj. io device through the crowd-sourcing web site Indiegogo, early supporters of the device can order it for $89; which is a $60 markdown on the device's proposed retail price when it makes its commercial debut in summer next year.

About the need for the moj. io device, REV Technologies' CEO Jay Giraud said that Internet-connected cars are "very expensive," and added: "We are becoming so used to incredibly connected experiences through our phones, yet our cars are not really advanced. There is a big separation between the kind of technology we have become accustomed to and what we have in our cars."