Car Blog

Beat the Traffic will exhibit the latest version of its highly acclaimed Beat the Traffic app for the iPhone at the Macworld | iWorld 2012 Conference & Expo being held January 26-28 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Featuring a new design and new tools for helping motorists reach their destinations quickly and safely, Beat the Traffic 2.0 will join other new iPhone, iPad and iPod innovations on display at the Mobile Apps Showcase.

Since launching in 2009, Beat the Traffic for mobile has become one of the most popular apps in history with over 1.8 million downloads. It is consistently among the top 10 traffic apps in the iPhone App Store and steadily averages 4.5 stars in user reviews. In addition to positive reviews on NBC’s Today Show and in The Wall Street Journal Online, Fox News Tapped-In, O’Reilly’s “Best iPad Apps,” Lifehacker and others, Beat the Traffic has also garnered multiple nominations as the best mobile traffic tool on the market.

“Macworld is always a fun and exciting event – but this year, it’s a special opportunity for us to thank our fans face-to-face for their amazing support,” said Andre Gueziec, CEO of Beat the Traffic. “Our development team is looking forward to meeting current and new Beat the Traffic users, answering all their questions and letting them ‘test drive’ our most powerful Beat the Traffic app yet.” Read the rest of this entry »

AAA Auto Buying Tools app provides valuable market price information giving consumers buying confidence

Buying a new car is certainly stressful, but being armed with AAA’s new Auto Buying Tools app can make the process a lot easier.  Available on the Apple iPhone, AAA’s new Auto Buying Tools app gives consumers the ability to modify car details in real-time and refresh pricing data on the show room floor.

“This tool will give consumers the confidence and information they need to make an educated decision when buying a car,” says Marshall L. Doney, AAA National Vice President, Automotive, Financial Services and e-Business. “AAA wants to insure its members are prepared and knowledgeable about available member benefits when making such an important decision.”

With AAA’s Auto Buying Tools app, prospective buyers can build the car they want, including options and available incentives, while viewing market pricing, crash safety ratings, AAA reviews, images and much more.

Key features of the AAA Auto Buying Tools App:

• Search new cars by make/model, style and list price (MSRP)
• Build your ideal car, down to color and trim
• Features, specs, and crash safety ratings
• AAA vehicle reviews and car buying services*
• VIN number entry for quick, exact specifications
• Save searches and cars to favorites
• Share car details on Facebook, Twitter or email
• Compare two customized vehicles

* AAA Member Pricing and Reviews not available for some models or in certain areas.

AAA’s Auto Buying Tools app is the fifth from AAA and is available for free from the iTunes App Store.  Please visit AAA.com/mobile for further details.  The other AAA apps include:

• AAA Insurance app provides AAA’s recommended steps on what to do immediately after a traffic collision and helps you gather important information about the crash needed to submit an insurance claim.
• AAA TripTik Mobile is a GPS-based app with maps showing gas station locations and pricing along with points of interest, such as AAA-rated hotels, restaurants and attractions, near a user’s location or any user-specified location.
• AAA Discounts app, with more than a million downloads, also uses GPS technology to display nearby AAA Show Your Card & Save locations.
• AAA Roadside enables AAA members who require emergency road service to send their vehicle description, location and breakdown details directly to AAA.

Devices such as smartphones with mobile applications are valuable tools before a vehicle is in motion; however, they greatly increase motorist distractions when used while driving.  Distracted driving can have deadly consequences.  AAA urges motorists to minimize distractions behind the wheel by not using wireless devices, such as cell phones with mobile applications, while driving.

Customers buying select Model Year 2012 Toyota Camry vehicles equipped with Entune get information on fuel prices, traffic, weather, sports scores, and stocks delivered by satellite from SiriusXM

Sirius XM Radio and Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. will automatically give a 3-year subscription to SiriusXM data services, featuring fuel prices, traffic data, weather forecasts, sports updates, and stock information to customers purchasing select Model Year 2012 Toyota Camry vehicles equipped with Toyota’s new multimedia system with Entune.

The Model Year 2012 Toyota Camry is the first Toyota vehicle with these advanced features from SiriusXM.

“Toyota has included satellite radio in its vehicles since 2004 and we are delighted that they have decided to bundle three years of information services into select Camry vehicles.  These services include fuel prices, traffic data and weather delivered by SiriusXM,” said Steve Cook, Group Vice President and General Manager, Automotive Division, SiriusXM.  ”This is an advanced feature from SiriusXM that drivers will find helpful and use daily, and we are thrilled to work with Toyota to give customers the best in-vehicle experience available on the road.” Read the rest of this entry »

Scion announced that its first release series for the second generation tC sports coupe, the 2012 tC Release Series 7.0 (tC RS 7.0), will be available at dealer showrooms this summer.  Scion is also pleased to announce that the 2012 tC sports coupe will come standard with a new Pioneer audio system that features Bluetooth hands-free, Bluetooth streaming audio and HD Radio technology.

2012 tC Release Series 7.0

The 2012 tC Release Series 7.0 comes exclusively in High Voltage yellow exterior paint with contrasting black side view mirrors and black 18-inch alloy wheels.  The tC’s aggressive exterior are further stylized with a TRD body kit that includes front and rear lower valences and side skirts. The front bumper incorporates a honeycomb lower grille that is unique to this Release Series.

High Voltage yellow accents make their way into the tC’s interior with color-tuned black and yellow seat fabric, leather wrapped steering wheel with yellow stitching and an individually numbered badge.  The tC RS 7.0 features Smart Key, a convenient keyless entry system that unlocks the doors with a touch of the door handle.  The system also includes a red TRD push-button start allowing the car to be started with the push of a button.  The use of the Smart Key system is a first for Scion. Read the rest of this entry »

Smart interface design allows drivers to take advantage of mobile communications technology while the phone remains safely stowed

Consumers who seek a higher level of in-vehicle wireless connectivity and customized infotainment options, plus the unmatched safety and security of OnStar need look no further than the 2012 Chevy Volt and Equinox.

When these vehicles go on sale later this year, they will be the first to offer Chevy MyLink – an in-car infotainment package that builds on the safety and security of OnStar and seamlessly integrates online services like Pandora® internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio® using hands-free voice and touch-screen controls via Bluetooth device connectivity.

“There is a new generation of car buyers who don’t want to settle for mass market radio,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing.  ”They want to create their own individual stations and have access to them wherever they are. Chevrolet vehicles have offered customers the ability to use portable media devices since 2006 and the introduction of MyLink takes media personalization to a new level.”

MyLink adds stereo audio streaming and wireless control of smartphones, building on the voice-activated Bluetooth hands-free calling capability already offered in most Chevy vehicles. MyLink also includes a seven-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display that makes media selection easy to navigate.

“Chevrolet MyLink is the next logical step for in-vehicle connectivity,” said Karl Stracke, vice president for Global Product Engineering.  ”MyLink leverages the mobile broadband capability and the sophisticated, online services made possible by today’s smartphones.” Read the rest of this entry »

Audiovox Corporation announced the introduction of the industry’s first automotive Blu-ray Disc player that plays any Blu-ray Discs as well as traditional DVDs and CD Audio Discs.

“We developed the AVDBR1 in response to the consumer preference for Blu-ray Discs in their home entertainment systems.  This mobile solution will allow them to maintain a single video collection that works both in the vehicle and at home,” said Tom Malone, President of Audiovox Electronics Corporation.

The AVDBR1 is installed under the seat or in a storage compartment in the vehicle and connects to any monitor by using either the HDMI, composite or component output.

The unit has been road tested to tolerate the vehicle’s environment and its small size allows for multiple horizontal and vertical mounting options in the vehicle. A blue accent light is used to illuminate the slot load disc area and button array. The unit is powered from a 2-pin, 12-volt connector to the vehicle’s accessory power source and comes with a full function wireless IR remote control. An 18 foot long IR extension is also included to allow for operation of the system via remote control, while the unit is concealed, under a seat, storage compartment, trunk, or cargo area. The infrared sensor will accept the IR commands from a remote and relay it back to the unit. Note: WiFi capable – for wireless media streaming (firmware upgrade available 2011). Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): $349.99.  This unit will be available in the spring of 2011.

“There are more than 1,600 Blu-ray titles and over 190 BD-Live content titles available in the United States today and Blu-ray content will continue to grow every year. Once again we believe we will lead the way in mobile entertainment by providing consumers with a product that connects their home lifestyle to their mobile environment,” Malone concluded