Smartphone apps are wildly popular, and automakers are taking advantage of the technology to integrate automotive technology and handheld technology to meet these new consumer demands.

Buick has released three new apps for both Apple and Android app stores that come bundled as the eAssist Fuel Efficiency games, which help drivers improve gas mileage and driving techniques.

“Consumers today want purposeful technology in the products they buy,” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. “Buick is offering exactly that with fuel-saving eAssist,”

Play it here.

The first of the three apps is Regeneration Road, which focuses on the regenerative breaking, reflecting the amount of energy that would be wasted in a standard vehicle that eAssist reuses as power for the car’s lithium-ion battery. The object of the game is for players to make it through town before running out of gas.

Second in the bundle is Roll and Boost, a game that challenges players on a distance run using one tank of gas and good battery management. This is to show owners how the energy conserved can be later used for an energy boost.

Wind Tunnel Tester is the last of the three apps that gives you the opportunity to be an automotive engineer and modify the car’s dimensions, showing how important aerodynamic design is.

“The driving force behind eAssist’s development was to make great vehicles like the LaCrosse and Regal even better,” said Dan Cottrell, General Motors assistant chief engineer for the eAssist powertrain. “With eAssist we can improve both vehicle performance as well as fuel economy.”

The games come to life on the dash in vehicles like the LaCrosse and Regal models with eAssist information reflected via and “Eco” gauge, allowing drivers to see how efficiently they are operating the vehicle.

-  By: Alexandra Koken

As an owner of the new Apple iPhone 4S I’ve asked Siri a bunch of useless questions that probably won’t make any difference to my life. However, as a car enthusiast, I’ve always wanted Siri to do more with an automobile rather than just read out texts or reply to texts.

Basically, Siri has the power to communicate with a proxy server, which could then be used to control any internet-connected devices. That was discovered by @plamoni who has now become know as the creator of Siri Proxy.

The chap in this video, known by his YouTube handle fiquett, used his ‘Viper Control’ plugin with plamoni’s ‘Siri Proxy’ to start and stop his Viper SmartStart enabled Acura TL.

“The command is sent from Siri to a Viper server, then relayed via cellular connection to the car,” says fiquett. “The car then broadcasts an update via RF to the key chain remote.”

Check out the video after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: fiquett.com (via Verge, Jalopnik)

What happens when you’re invited out by BMW to drive their latest new hatchback – the 2012 BMW 1-Series – but it’s raining like crazy and your camera equipment gives out? You grab your Apple iPhone and film the whole review and keep the show going.

Hit the jump for the video.

Click here for our original post on the 2012 BMW 1-Series.

Refresher: The 2012 BMW 1-Series will go on sale in Europe later this year and will be available in five variants. Engine choices will range from two gasoline engines with output ranging from 170-hp and 136-hp and two diesel engines with output ranging from 116-hp to 143-hp. Prices will be announced closer to launch date.

2012 BMW 1-Series:

2012 BMW 1-Series:

- By: Omar Rana

As we’ve informed you before with examples like Nissan’s QR codes, GM’s efforts with their mobile app allowing customers to control their car from their smartphone and Scion’s plan to sell cars through the Internet, the automobile industry is seeing a wave of new technology that takes advantage of the popular smartphone app concept. And low and behold, BMW has just unveiled their latest mobile app called “The Ultimate Drive.”

The new app is considered a social navigation all that will allow drivers and enthusiasts to share their discoveries of the best roads to drive on in over 50 countries and connect those findings with Facebook, email or other GPS devices.

“As a company, we pride ourselves on our ongoing uses of technology to build stronger relationships with our customers,” said Ed Robinson, President and CEO for BMW Group Financial Services.  “Not only does ‘The Ultimate Drive’ app allow us to broaden our awareness as an organization to a vast audience, but more so, it provides us the ability to nurture a two-way dialogue with our customers in an engaging way.”

This is just a first stepping-stone as BMW also informed us that they will be expanding on the app much more as time goes by. Designed by San Francisco-based software and technology firm, SocialNav Inc., BMW plans on incorporating BMW’s Financial Services into the app as well.

Details in terms of the release of the new mobile app have yet to be released. Either way, the app will be available for both Apple iOD devices and Android devices as of now. No word on a BlackBerry app just yet.

- By: Chris Chin

Road trippers can enjoy an easier ride thanks to the new Rest Area app released for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. The app is designed to point out upcoming rest area and public stop points for travelers.

Simplifying the paper map hunt, the app shows how far you are from the nearest stop, helping users better estimate gas mileage and accommodate other needs more efficiently.

The app starts off with your current location and provides both map and list style views of the nearest points. Driver-friendly auto-search and zoom options are available along with standard apple functions. Blue pins are used on the map to display locations, and when tapped, will provide detailed information about that particular point. Details include food, handicap services, and restrooms.

Flexible choices are also available for the user, such as search options and sorting options.

Check out the Rest Area App here.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Straightline

Audi of America announced today that it will be releasing a new Audi Roadside App for users of the three major mobile device OSs. The app will be available for free download on each respective app market.

The app takes advantage of the customer’s pre-registered vehicle information, smartphone GPS functionality, and an intuitive interface, to more efficiently facilitate communication with Audi’s roadside assistance partner, Allstate Roadside Services.

The Audi of America Roadside Assistance program offers consumers access to a team of dedicated service representatives and a nationwide towing network for four years from warranty activation date. Owners of older models may still use the app, though Allstate Roadside Services fees would apply.

“With this technology, Audi is making a valuable service far easier for customers to access said David S. Tait, General Manager, Service Operations, Audi of America. “Connecting Audi drivers to our Roadside Assistance Program, and its safety and service offerings is now literally at their fingertips.”

For a more comprehensive look at the app, visit your phone’s app market, or go to audiusa.com.

• iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/audi-roadside/id431755194?mt=8
• Android: https://market.android.com/search?q=audi+roadside&so=1&c=apps
• BlackBerry: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/43034?lang=en

- By: Stephen Calogera

Chrysler Vehicle Information Application for iPhone

Chrysler Group last year replaced the traditional bulky owner manuals with DVDs and user guides. Today Chrysler is taking it to the next level and is offering prospective buyers and current owners the ability to download a vehicle-information application onto their smartphones.

“With our vehicle-information app, we are taking customer care to a new level by creating a convenient, on-demand channel of communication with our customers,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar®, Chrysler Group LLC. “Creating this new channel of communication will enhance the customer experience. And it”s a great example of how we can add value to our vehicles and build brand identity. This new app will also be a source for potential customers to learn about our vehicles.”

In addition to general vehicle information such as operation, maintenance and warranty, the new apps offer product demo videos, connection with fellow owners on social media sites and access to customer care and 24-hour road-side assistance.

Pretty cool stuff. Check out a demo video after the jump.

Click through for the video and the press release for more details.

Chrysler Vehicle Information Application for iPhone:

Press Release:

Chrysler Group LLC is First Automotive Company to Introduce Vehicle-information Apps

June 17, 2010 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – Last year, Chrysler Group was the first automotive company to replace traditional, bulky owner manuals with DVDs and user guides. This year, the company is introducing the industry”s first smartphone vehicle-information application. Information that used to be stuffed into the glove box will now be at your fingertips.

In addition to general vehicle information including vehicle operation, maintenance and warranty, this new app offers product-feature video demonstrations, connections with fellow owners via the company”s brands on social media sites, and access to customer care and 24-hour road-side assistance.

The vehicle-information app for the all-new 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee will be available for download on to personal smartphones. The vehicle-information app, developed by Michigan-based Tweddle Group, is designed to support vehicles in the U.S. market. The app will first be available for iPhone and later for BlackBerry and Android devices on major mobile carriers.

The application, which is free to the consumer, will eventually phase into future Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and Ram Truck vehicles in the U.S. by the end of this year.

“Tweddle is pleased to extend our long-time relationship with Chrysler Group by enhancing the consumer relationship with their vehicles through mobile applications,” said Andrew Tweddle, Tweddle Group President and CEO. “This app will provide Chrysler Group”s customers with a dynamic tool that will enable them to get the most out of the features and capabilities offered in their new vehicles.”

App Features

New Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and Ram Truck smartphone vehicle-information apps will complement existing user guides and DVDs that are currently provided with each vehicle. Each vehicle-information app will allow the consumer to browse functional categories and view detailed topics of interest relative to their specific vehicle.

Key feature categories include product information, vehicle operating instructions, vehicle maintenance schedules, service contract details, warning lights and controls, warranty information and customer assistance. Other features and benefits include links to Mopar parts and accessories, product brand gear and merchandise and social media sites. The app will also contain high-resolution product information images and videos.

Mopar-First Features

In addition to vehicle-information apps, Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features including:

“¢ Electronic owner manuals: first to offer traditional owner manuals in a DVD and brief user-guide format
“¢ FLO TV: first to offer live, mobile television
“¢ Wifi: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot
“¢ wiTECH: first to support vehicle diagnosis and software updates leveraging off-the-shelf personal computers and a dedicated wireless tool network

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost iPhone App

We’re not sure exactly how many potential customers Rolls-Royce thinks it has but the company thinks that there are enough wealthy folks out there looking to get into the new Ghost – so much so, they have decided to offer an app for the iPhone and iPod touch that allows customers and enthusiasts to configure their own.

“The Rolls-Royce Ghost App allows users to choose from many thousands of design combinations available to Ghost customers at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars dealerships,” Rolls-Royce said. “Available exterior options include twelve standard paint finishes, three different wheel styles, visible exhausts as well as a Silver Satin bonnet, an option exclusive to Rolls-Royce Ghost. The car”s interior can be specified in eight different leather colours and five veneer designs, including contemporary woods such as Dark Wenge and Malabar. After designing their ideal Ghost, users can save their designs in a virtual garage.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost App is available now for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore.

Click here for more news on the Rolls-Royce Ghost.

Refresher: The 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost is powered by a 6.6L V12 twin-turbo making 563-hp and 575 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox, 0-60 mph in the Ghost comes in 4.7 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. Prices start at $245,000.

2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost:

- By: Kap Shah

Audi has released a new game app for its new A1 compact hatchback called “Audi A1 Beat Driver.” Available for the iPhone and the iPod Touch (and your iPad with 2x zoom), the game can be best described as what we’ve come to know as “Rock Band” – but instead of singing, playing the guitar, or banging on drums, you’ll be steering an Audi A1 through the beat of the music.

“The aim of the game is to collect objects and avoid obstacles while driving. Bonus symbols help to pile up the points,” Audi says. “The levels vary with the song, with bands like Torpedo, La Roux, The Rakes and Lo-Fi-Fnk supplying the music. What will be the smallest Audi ever is easily steered with just a finger and the touchscreen of the iPhone or iPod Touch.”

Audi A1 Beat Driver is available with different rock songs (check out the full list after the jump).

Oh, and did we mention it’s free?

Click here for more news on the Audi A1.

Refresher: The 2011 Audi A1 will go on sale in Europe later this year with prices starting around 16,000 euros ($22,062 USD). Power will come from a lineup of 4-cylinder engines, which consists of two TDI diesels and two TFSI gasoline units with output ranging from 84-hp to 122-hp. Mated to a 7-speed S tronic transmission, fuel-economy will range from 44 mpg and 62 mpg.

2011 Audi A1:

Track Listing for “Audi A1 Beat Driver”:

“Accelerate” by Torpedo,
“I”m A Rope” by Tommy Sparks
“Strength In Numbers” by The Music
“Farewell To The Fairground” by White Lies
“Gold Guns Girls” by Metric, “1989″ by The Rakes
“Bulletproof” by La Roux
“Digital Age” by The Fall and “Want U” by Lo-Fi-Fnk.

- By: Kap Shah

Since all of the geeks around the world are focused on the 2010 CES show going on right now in Las Vegas, General Motors decided to catch some attention from the smartphone market with a new app that will allow Chevrolet Volt owners to connect and control their vehicle functions and OnStar features remotely.

Using either a Droid by Motorola, Apple iPhone and Blackberry Storm, Volt owners with the new app can: display charge status, access the “Charge Now feature or schedule future charging times, display the percentage of battery charge and range level, send text or email notifications for charge reminders, display the mpg, remotely start the Volt to pre-condition the interior temperature of the vehicle and see the mpg, EV miles and miles driven from their last trip.

The OnStart Mobile Application will be available for Volt owners when it goes on sale later this year. Pricing for the Volt has yet to be announced.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Volt.

Click through for a video promo and the press release.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

Press Release:

Chevrolet and OnStar Give Volt Owners 24/7 Connection and Control via Wireless Smartphone Application

- Chevrolet Volt First Electric Vehicle to Demonstrate Wireless Smartphone Application
- Volt showcases technology beyond the battery with OnStar Mobile Application
- OnStar created a mobile application for Volt that provides drivers custom services and added control
- Charging Volt is easy, convenient and efficient with OnStar Mobile Application technology

LAS VEGAS ““ Chevrolet and OnStar unveiled the auto industry”s first working smartphone application that will allow Chevrolet Volt owners 24/7 connection and control of vehicle functions and OnStar features remotely.

OnStar”s Mobile Application allows drivers to communicate with their Volt from Droid by Motorola, Apple iPhone and Blackberry Storm smartphones. It uses a real-time data connection to perform tasks from setting the charge time to unlocking the doors.

The Chevrolet Volt OnStar smartphone application is designed to enhance the overall Volt ownership experience with interaction and control never offered before on any electric vehicle. The application:

- displays charge status ““ plugged in or not, and voltage (120V or 240V)
- provides flexibility to “Charge Now” or schedule charge timing
- displays percentage of battery charge level, electric and total ranges
- allows owner to manually set grid-friendly charge mode for off-peak times when electricity rates are lowest
- sends text or email notifications for charge reminders, interruptions and full charge
- displays miles per gallon, electric only miles, and odometer readings
- shows miles per gallon, EV miles and miles driven for last trip and lifetime
- remotely start the vehicle to pre-condition the interior temperature

“The Chevrolet Volt ushers in a new era of automotive technology and calls for a new level of connectivity and control,” said Walt Dorfstatter, president, OnStar. “Nearly 6 million vehicles on the road today use OnStar to stay connected, and our new smartphone app will make that even easier for Volt drivers.”

OnStar”s real-time data connection also helps drivers maximize the environmental benefits of owning a Volt, even when not in the vehicle. The application”s intuitive Charge Status feature simplifies setting the charge time. Rather than using battery power, the application allows owners to start the Volt remotely to pre-condition the interior temperature using power from the grid. This preserves the battery charge for driving without gasoline.

When a charge command is activated, the Volt owner will receive a confirmation message on the application alerting the owner that a command has been successfully sent to the vehicle. If in view of the Volt, a green LED charge light on the dash will indicate the charge state.

Traditional OnStar features such as door lock, unlock and remote horn and lights ““ which have typically been accessible only through a call into the OnStar call center ““ will now be available via the application.

OnStar Mobile was developed from the ground-up by engineers in the OnStar EV Lab. In addition to this work, the team is leveraging OnStar”s connectivity to the vehicle to gather real-time data about development models of the Volt as they are tested. OnStar engineers then share this real-time data with the Volt engineering team to speed the development process and help ensure quality at the start of production.

Demonstration applications for the Motorola Droid and Blackberry Storm will be available at OnStarMobileDemo.com beginning 10 p.m., EST, January 5. The demonstration application for the Apple iPhone will be available on the iTunes store on January 6.

Volt”s OnStar mobile application will also be available on a mobile browser for other internet-capable phones. Volt drivers can also view and manage vehicle systems and commands from the vehicle, the internet or through a monthly OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics e-mail.

Volt owners can opt-in to receive a monthly OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics e-mail report with diagnostics on the unique characteristics of an electric vehicle with extended range, as well as the maintenance information current OnStar subscribers receive. OnStar will also provide the connection for the Volt owner website, which will allow many of the same capabilities as the mobile application along with more in depth information on the vehicle”s history.

The OnStar subscription for the Chevrolet Volt will also include the safety, security and peace of mind services currently available to OnStar”s subscribers including Automatic Crash Response, Turn-by-Turn Navigation, Hands-Free Calling and Stolen Vehicle Assistance.

The Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. It is designed to drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the Volt”s lithium-ion battery is depleted of energy, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the total driving range to about 300 miles before refueling or stopping to recharge the battery.

OnStar Mobile Application will be available for Volt owners at launch. Production for the Volt is scheduled to begin in late 2010. Pricing has not been announced

- By: Kap Shah

Don’t like cashing out for iPhone apps? Well, if you’re a car enthusiast, BMW is offering a new iPhone app called “BMW M Power Meter.”

Using integrated movement sensors on the iPhone, the app records the following performance data of your journeys in real time and for free:

• Speed (mph / km/h)
• Forward acceleration (Forward g)
• Lateral acceleration (Lateral g)
• Travel time for a specified distance (e.g. 100 m)
• Acceleration to a specific speed (e.g. 0″“100 km/h)

You can download the BMW M Power Meter iPhone App here.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: BMW

Volkswagen is going to be launching their new 2010 Volkswagen GTI exclusively via their iPhone app. The move, an industry first, offers immense bang-for-the-advertising-buck according to the article. the annual budget for mobil services runs $500,000. Compare that to the $60 million media blitz that VW ran with the release of their 2006 GTI and it makes sense.

At first glance an iPhone/iPod touch only strategy may seem limiting, but consider this; there are a reported 50 million iPhone and iPod touch customers worldwide. CBS’s ‘NCIS’, the most-watched show for the week ending Oct 18, reached 21 million viewers and gets and average of $130,000 for a single 30-second spot.

The German automaker unveiled their GTI racing game for the Apple devices at a press event this week, and tied that in with a six-car giveaway for its gameplayers. “It’s a clever idea,” mobile-marketing consultant Raven Zachary, president of Small Society and founder of iPhoneDevCamp told Automotive News. “Licensing game technology saves VW considerable development cost and time to delivery. And the cost of six cars is not bad considering the cost of doing a print campaign or TV campaign.”

Volkswagen feel that their is good demographic overlap between their GTI target market and the iPhone user. An incentive beyond entertainment to download the game is that you can win a new GTI.

“For consumers, more game play means more chances to win one of the six limited-edition 2010 GTI’s.

-By Stephen Calogera

Viper has introduced a new iPhone app that lets your start your car remotely as well as lock and unlock the doors along with a panic button. However, it’s not as simple as downloading the app, installing it and aiming at your car.

If you don’t already own a Viper alarm system, you’ll have to cash out $499.99. If you already have a Viper alarm system, the SmarStart app will cost you $300. Not to mention there is a 29.99 a year subscription fee.

Why do you need to pay $29.99 a year? Viper says that the “SmartStart is an ‘always-on’ connected device that communicates over the GSM network. Just like a cell phone, the SmartStart requires a service plan from 3rd party provider to communicate over the network.”

Once you cash out all that money, you can start showing off to all your friends. Just make sure you have your keys with you – you never know when your iPhone battery might die.

Check out the Viper SmartStart site here.

Now available for BlackBerry as well. Check it out over at PocketBerry.com.

Click through for a video demo.

- By: Omar Rana

Mercedes-Benz has entered the apple universe with the launch of their iPhone application, which enables Benz drivers to make payments via their iPhone. Those customers who have a loan or lease with Mercedes-Benz Financial can get full access to their accounts through the application, including account status, the ability to make a payment, and even payoff quotes on their vehicles.

For those who still only dream about life as a Benz owner/lessee, the app still provides the latest info on the company’s vehicles, and for when the time comes, locate dealers and get directions right on your phone.

Senior Marketing Manager for Mercedes-Benz Financial, Michael Kanzleiter, told Autoweek that chose to develop the iPhone app first because nearly three-quarters of Benz drivers use smart phones and of those, one third use the Apple device. Another solid third Benz’s smart phone toting customers use RIM’s BlackBerry, and Kanzleiter says that the BlackBerry app should be available within six-months.

Currently the app is only available to U.S. Customers, but is poised to soon hit Canada and Mexico. Europe is unlikely to see the app says Kanzleiter, as most European buyers arrange for monthly payments to be automatically debited from their bank accounts.

Currently Mercedes-Benz is the only automaker to offer such services, but we doubt that will be the case for very long.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: AutoWeek

Looking to find the last place you parked your car? There’s app for that. Don’t want to walk to your car and want it to drive right up to you? There will probably be an app for that someday too. But for now, if you’re looking to honk your horn and lock and unlock your car – Zipcar has a new app that will let you do just that.

The most useful thing the Zipcar iPhone app does is, helps you find Zipcar locations near you. You can then pick your choice of wheels and reserve them before you get to the Zipcar location. Besides helping you find out where you parked your Zipcar rental, the app lets you honk the horn and lock/unlock your vehicle. While that may prove useless and downright geeky – we would use our iPhone to lock and unlock every single day. Heck, we would even honk the horn with our iPhone before we got in. However, we probably wouldn’t go digging in our pockets for an iPhone when someone cuts us off.

Check out the Zipcar iPhone app here.

- By: Omar Rana

As Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood leads a two day summit on distracted driving, we thought this would be a good time to bring you news about new technology that is taking action to keep your attention on the road. Meet DriveSafe.ly – a new mobile application that reads text (SMS) messages and emails aloud in real time and automatically responds without drivers having to touch their mobile device.

DriveSafe.ly is currently available on all BlackBerry and Android models. An iPhone and a Windows based version are on the way.

Downloading the application for free allows you to hear 25 words per message in a female voice and has an optional text and e-mail auto responder. The $13.95 version allows you to hear up to 500 words per message and allows you to pick between a male and female voice. It also has the ability to auto-select by contact gender.

Check them out at DriveSafe.ly.

- By: Omar Rana