Plenty of drivers have already discovered how integrating their smartphones with their cars can lead to better driving experiences. This fall, Honda owners will get to try out a new kind of connectivity system called HondaLink. Combined with the Aha Radio app, HondaLink looks to give users a fresh way to enjoy their content on the road.

Aha Radio seems to work like an audio version of Flipboard. Users feed the app with their various personalized media sources like songs, radio stations, audiobooks, podcasts, and social networking sites and are then presented with a custom audio stream for them to listen to while driving. Users can also monitor traffic conditions as well as search for directions to restaurants and other local hotspots. All of this is done through the hands-free voice recognition controls, steering-wheel controls, and in-dash controls that HondaLink provides. That way, users can stay safely connected without even touching their phones.

HondaLink arrives this fall with the 2013 Honda Accord. Meanwhile, the Aha Radio app is available now for free on the App Store.

FREE!

Aha Radio

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-02-16 :: Category: Music

I think there was a moment in my late childhood when my dad really wanted me to understand how cars work. I didn’t pay much attention, honestly, as I was generally lost in my own little world throughout my days of kid-dom. Today, though, there are times when I really wish I had paid more careful attention to the lessons of my youth. And that’s where How Cars Work comes in. Simply put, it’s an instructional app that teaches…yep…how cars work. From steering and suspension to powertrain and braking, pretty much all of the basics are covered in this tidy little app.

Now, in version 1.3.0, developer Aymen Alshawi has added a basic maintenance section to help those who may not know how to perform basic maintenance like changing a tire on their vehicle. It’s a handy and quick way to find information if it’s needed in an emergency, and while all makes and models are different, this app covers the basics that apply to pretty much every vehicle. And more is on the way in future update, including a guide to vehicle modifications.

Make up for those lost lessons of youth and learn a little more about your car with How Cars Work.

$0.99

How Cars Work

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-03-26 :: Category: Reference

Mercedes Benz has announced that it will use Apple’s Siri voice activated personal assistant software currently available on the iPhone 4S to drive its new “Drive Kit Plus” system that will allow drivers to access and control their iPhone apps with their voice while driving. “Drive Kit Plus” will be integrated with Mercedes Benz Digital Drivestyle system which transmits and formats iPhone screens to in-car screens.

Using “Drive Kit Plus” drivers will be able to control their music, change radio stations, send texts, make phone calls, update their Facebook and Twitter accounts, or even control their Aupeo Personal Radio. “Drive Kit Plus” will also integrate with Garmin GPS systems to provide drivers the ability to find directions and routes through voice commands.

This new, Siri-powered feature is slated for a debut at the 82nd International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland on March 8th and will make Mercedes Benz the first auto manufacturer to integrate Apple tech into their in-car systems.

Car ownership is great when everything is running smoothly. It’s not so great when said car gets a dent in it however. There’s no app out there that could magically fix the car for free but there is an app that could help get the best price for fixing the dent: DINGIT.

DINGIT enables the user to take photos of the dent, enter details about the car then submit it to the DINGIT.com website. The site then does its magic and sends the photos and information to auto body shops around the local area in order to receive the best estimates for a repair.

Users get up to 5 estimates within days, sent straight to their email inbox thus saving them time in consulting companies themselves. An estimate on how long the repair will take as well as the price is also offered, plus additional services such as courtesy cars or pick up/drop off services.

This app could be a huge timesaver for those unlucky enough to have a dent in their car and a very busy lifestyle.

DINGIT is out now and it’s free.

FREE!

DINGIT

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-12-21 :: Category: Productivity

Buying a car is frequently pretty enjoyable but it’s also often stressful. Making such an expensive decision is a complicated endeavour, even more so once a few test drives have been conducted. Having spent a while test driving numerous cars, I can safely say it’s easy to get confused as to what was so good about which car. Enter Test Drive Assistant in an attempt to demystify all that.

Test Drive Assistant is an app that provides 11 basic test drive related questions that users can answer as they test out each vehicle. Then, the app provides a rating based upon the answers given and, at a glance, users can see which vehicle is best for their needs.

Further functionality is provided through the ability to add more questions as well as images of the vehicle, allowing for side-by-side comparisons of the test driven motors.

It should take out all the stress and worry for those who plan on test driving a number of different vehicles over many days.

Test Drive Assistant is out now priced at $2.99.

$0.99

Test Drive Assistant

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-11-04 :: Category: Lifestyle

Keeping track of everything that needs doing to maintain a car can get a little overwhelming, which is precisely why there’s an app for that. MyCarCare remembers everything any automobile owner could possibly need to know.

Users can store numerous vehicles and their information within the app ranging from cars to motorcycles and scooters. Information can then be added to include maintenance information such as when the last service was performed, how long since the tyre pressure was checked or the oil and water in the engine. The user can keep track of upcoming deadlines such as when the car tax or MOT is coming up to expiration time and needs to be conducted once more.

Expenses can also be tracked from within the app allowing users to keep an eye on just how much their finances are going to be stretched by their vehicle in the coming months. It’s all available in one very convenient package.

MyCarCare is available now priced at $0.99 for the universal app.

FREE!

myCarCare

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-09-02 :: Category: Utilities

Aren’t iPad docks predictable? Always looking roughly the same and not very exciting to show off to friends and family? So how about this one for a change? It’s called the Bentley Mulsanne. Oh yeah, and it’s a car.

Yup, one of the world’s most luxurious cars, the Bentley Mulsanne, has a new interior that includes two iPads in the back. Built in the UK, the interior in all costs an extra £85,000 on top of the basic price of £205,000 for the car alone. That makes the whole thing around $457,000.

It’ll be worth it to someone, though, with the iPad area including full internet access and the possibility to stream TV shows or movies to a large drop down LED screen. Each iPad also comes fully equipped with a bluetooth keyboard dock and the devices fold away into the back of the seat when not in use. It’s very cool stuff indeed with even a Mac Mini thrown in and an iPod Touch controlling the audio system for the car.

If you’ve got a spare half a million lying down the back of the sofa, this could be the ideal media solution with a neat car thrown in. Oh and mind if I come along for the ride? Thank you in advance!

[Source: Daily Mail]

If you’re looking to buy a new BMW or a Mini, take note. There’s an iOS 4 feature you’ve probably never heard of that you’re going to love.

Car manufacturer BMW has announced that it will be supporting iPod Out in iOS 4. What’s that? You say. Hidden among the many exciting features in Apple’s latest mobile operating system, the relatively obscure iPod Out is a way for iPhone and iPod models to show the iPod interface on a connected display, in this situation, the dashboard of a car.

While many docking stations and other accessories offer this facility already, this is an Apple-endorsed way of showing and controlling the classic iPod screen and album artwork on an external device and should translate very nicely to in-car entertainment. In the case of BMW, the in-built “infotainment” systems will allow control and playback of a connected device through the car’s existing controls and will even allow access to and creation of Genius and custom playlists.

BMW said of its iPod Out support “Future vehicles equipped with this technology will be able to adapt more quickly to the software lifecycles of iPod touch and iPhone”, basically taking the pressure off them to remain compatible with Apple’s mobile devices as they are updated.

BMW refers to “future” vehicles in its press release so existing owners may miss out on this upgrade, however iPod and iPhone owners in the market for a new car should certainly bear a BMW or Mini in mind when on the forecourt.