android car

Put your phone into 'car mode' with these dashboard apps

My first Android phone, the original Motorola Droid, was one of the first phones to debut Google Maps Navigation. Now, Google knew that this feature would get drivers interested in using their Android phones in the car and that the tiny virtual buttons and shortcuts that worked well when the device was handheld wouldn't cut it behind the wheel. So, when users popped their Droids into their car docks, they were presented with a simplified interface with large shortcut buttons to car-centric apps, designed for safer use while driving.

Smartphones have come a long way since I retired my … Read more

Car Tech Live 249: BMW sews up touch-sensitive fabric (podcast)

BMW says touch me, Ford takes mirrors high tech for quiet, the Chevy Volt is off the hook with the Feds, and how much would you pay for Obama's Chrysler 300? And we drive the Chrysler 300 SRT8.

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How to shop for cars with Android

For many people, spending an afternoon with a car salesman is about as enjoyable as visiting the dentist--maybe less.

Fortunately, car shoppers have access to a litany of online resources that are helpful for making the car-buying experience a little less stressful. Many of those same resources are available for Android devices as well.

Here are four popular car-shopping apps for Android:

Kelley Blue Book The Kelley Blue Book app provides pricing information on new cars and used cars from 1992 on. For used cars, you can enter vehicle information and mileage to get a customized pricing report for that … Read more

Car Tech Live 245: We kick in the VTEC on the 2012 Honda Civic Si (podcast)

What technology can make an in-car cell phone ban workable? Morgan Stanley takes a dim view of electric cars. Acura's first hybrid is on the way. Renault is first with a dash system based on Android. And we drive the 2012 Honda Civic Si and get the VTEC to kick in.

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Car Tech Live 242: Is the Volt on fire...or just catching fire? (podcast)

The Chevy Volt gets the feds look at the safety of all electric cars, Nissan makes a fast charge cheaper (sort of), Toyota puts Intel Inside, and Mercedes reworks the lowly windshield wiper.

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SHOW NOTES

Car Tech Live 240: BMW head up display goes full color and full cooler (podcast)

MirrorLink ramps up for smartphones in cars, new Ford escape features hands-free door, survey says you want voice command and wall plugs in your car, and we drive the Mercedes SLK 350.

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Car Tech Live 239: Porsche Panamera Turbo S (podcast)

The most reliable cars are... Plus, the Nissan Leaf spawns a plug-in cousin, Ford stops your teen from texting while driving, a scathing report on red-light cameras, and we drive the Porsche Panamera Turbo S.

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EPISODE 239

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Android and iPhone battle for car tech superiority

Ford Mustang versus Chevrolet Camaro, Subaru Impreza WRX STI versus Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, BMW M3 versus Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG; and now Android versus iPhone joins the ranks of the great automotive rivalries. If there's one thing that all car guys (and gals) share, it's a love of a good competition. We Car Tech editors put these phones on the road to see which platform is better for in-car use.

This is a conflict that's been raging for years on the mobile battlefield. Both phone platforms have their pros and cons, but only one can be the best. … Read more

Nissan releases Android, BlackBerry versions of Leaf EV app

Nissan has just launched a pair of apps for the Android and BlackBerry platforms that put control and information about the automaker's electric Leaf at owners' fingertips.

The app connects to the vehicle via the CarWings system that is present in all Nissan Leafs (Leaves? Leafii?) and features a tabbed interface that is broken into six major sections. The Home tab is where you can view your Leaf's current battery level, whether the car is plugged in or not, and how long a quick, normal, or trickle charge will take. The Home screen also displays a graph with … Read more