Car Finance / Automaker Smartphone Apps, from Acura to Volvo
Car Company Apps That Make Buying and Owning a Vehicle Easier and More FunThe brave new world of smartphone apps is budding everywhere, and that includes the automotive industry, now that car manufacturers are looking for new ways to engage with both owners and brand fans. Following is an overall list of current smartphone applications (the vast majority of which are designed for the iPhone platform) developed by automakers.
This ready reference includes everything from simple dealer locators to more complicated apps boasting social networking and augmented reality. The one thing they all signal: Vehicle-specific apps are here to stay.
Acura
My Acura: This app is designed to be an extension of the My Acura Web site, an owner's resource where users can get up-to-date info on their vehicles. The app includes how-to videos for a variety of the brand's in-car technologies as well as vehicle settings. Users can also retrieve personal info such as radio security codes.
Platform: iPhone
Cost: Free
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Explore: Owners or fans interested in this celebrated British car brand's legacy will enjoy this app that includes everything from breaking news to a virtual walk-through of Aston Martin's global headquarters. Additional features include quick access to Aston Martin's social networks and exclusive videos highlighting the One-77, DBS and V8 and V12 Vantage. The app launches with a simulation of the in-car ignition sequence and also allows users to virtually rev various engines, including James Bond's iconic DB5.
Cost: Free
Platform: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
Audi
CarMonitor: This app uses the car's OBD-II port to give users access to real-time performance data, including fuel efficiency and speed and emissions information. Beyond monitoring the data, the app also analyzes and stores the information in order to help you reduce CO2 emissions through smarter driving. It also uses the iPhone's GPS feature to log route information and output performance details that can be uploaded to MyAudiLabs.com for analysis. Audi offers other apps designed for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch that include virtual vehicle tours (Audi A8 Experience) and video gamelike driving challenges (Truth in 24 and A4 Driving Challenge).
Platform: iPhone
Cost: Free
BMW:
M Power Meter: With the motto "Joy is Measurable," BMW has created the M Power Meter for owners of M-badged BMWs to monitor, analyze and store all those numbers that BMW drivers love. First you select a preferred mode: continual monitoring, acceleration to a specific speed or travel for a specified distance. Using an iPhone's accelerometer, the app captures data such as fastest quarter-mile or highest speed through a curve, all in real-time. The app can be customized to suit personal driving styles and also features "skins" such as Chrome and Carbon.
Platform: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Cost: Free
Chrysler Group
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Chrysler will roll out an entire series of apps for vehicle information, beginning with the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. In addition to general info such as vehicle operation, maintenance and warranty, the initial Jeep app offers video demos of vehicle features, social media connections with fellow owners, customer care access and 24-hour roadside assistance. Future apps developed for Dodge will include vehicle-specific info such as operating instructions, maintenance schedules, warning lights and controls and high-resolution images and video.
Platform: iPhone, iPad
Cost: Free
• Car Loans
• Car Loans Online
• Car Loan Tips
• Car Finance
Inexpensive portable navigation systems and even cheaper smartphone nav applications are making the pricey in-dash systems offered by automakers less attractive to many consumers. But some people prefer in-dash systems because of their larger screens and because they offer more features. Plus, you never have to worry about forgetting an in-dash system at home. Finally, prices for in-dash systems are starting to drop.
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows two compatible devices to communicate. In the car, it lets you operate a mobile phone "hands-free," meaning you don't have to hold the device while making or taking a call or performing such functions as accessing the phone's address book. (Of course, you have to use your hands to operate certain Bluetooth features via the vehicle's controls.)
Automotive sound systems are more complex now that portable media players, hard-disk drives and smartphones are along for the ride. But the basic radio/speaker setup hasn't drastically changed, even though more speakers and more amplifier power have been added over the years.
• Auto Refinance
File engine/modules/searchcloud.php not found.
Bad Credit Car Loans
Bad Credit Auto Loan Financing | Good and Bad Credit Car Loans
Sales of Ford vehicles increased 13.3 percent in June compared to the same month last year, and the gain was largely spurred by a strong showing by the carmaker’s Super Duty pickup trucks.
Responsible consumers tend to have all their affairs in order – a steady income, plenty of savings and perhaps even an investment or two on the side. While these things are all positive, they ultimately won't get you approved for an auto loan – for that, you need credit.
Used Car Loans
Used Car Loans - Car Loans - New & Used Auto Loan Financing
Getting the Best Rates on Your Car Loan
Identifying Your Target Cars & Arranging Financing
There are certain people who seem to have X-ray vision, who can look at a business and see things that are invisible to other people. I bring this up because I have a friend who spotted something about used cars that I have never heard addressed by anyone else.
Car loan news and advice
Car Loan Articles - Car Loan Tips, News & Advice
→ Car Loan News, Information and Education