A free parking app is now available for the Apple iPhone to help users find where they parked their vehicle.
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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.
Apple is currently hard at work developing the next iteration of its mobile operating system, iOS 7, which will have better and tighter integration with vehicle’s factory in-car electronics.
Land Rover has released an iPhone and iPad app for its all-new Range Rover that allows consumers to explore the new SUV through an eight-stage interactive journey from four synced camera angles.
Elaborating on an earlier announcement, Honda just confirmed today that three of its 2013 models will come with Apple’s Siri voice recognition technology.
The plight of Apple’s new Maps app continues to get worse and worse, as the Australian police are warning drivers to be careful when using it as a source for navigation.
For years now, owners of Apple’s mobile devices have had to invest money into accessories that incorporate the tech giant’s proprietary 30-pin connector. From docks to in-car connectivity, owners assumed their first investment would also be their last.
The annual Apple iPhone announcement has come and gone, and the Cupertino-based tech giant has confirmed that its newest version of its mobile operating system, iOS 6, will not only ship with the new iPhone 5 but will be available to all compatible devices next week on September 19th.
Back in March of this year, news leaked out that Apple China was looking for an automotive engineer, making many of us wonder what the tech giant had up its sleeves.
Adding convenience and confidence to the used car buying experience, today Carfax announced a mobile app for Android users.
We’ve seen some pretty silly car sound apps in our time, but oh boy… this one might have just taken the top spot on our list.
Apple, the technology guru, is teaming up with major automotive manufacturers to bring its Siri voice-recognition personal assistant system to a long list of cars.
Run-of-the-mill Jaguar XJ not good enough for you? Not even the $111,000 Supersport version? Better dig deep into your pockets for the XJ Ultimate Edition.
Last year Range Rover introduced its Autobiography Ultimate Edition which became the most expensive Land Rover made. Even though official pricing hasn’t been announced, we expect the XJ Ultimate Edition to follow a similar path, possibly boasting a price tag upwards of $175,000.
Despite the Land Rover boasting such an exorbitant price tag, it quickly sold out and clearly the success has allowed the British automaker to do the same with its XJ model. Among the car’s luxury features, there are two separate, fully-reclining seats in the rear along with aluminum folding tables and space to serve your favorite champagne.
Embedded behind the seats are built-in Apple iPads, similar to what was in the Range Rover Ultimate, to provide entertainment. If Apple’s tablet isn’t good enough, passengers can also watch entertainment on the TVs in the headrests. Since the XJ Ultimate Edition is clearly intended for transporting passengers, the suspension has been modified to give a more comfortable, softer ride. Engine choices will, however, be the same as the standard XJ model.
GALLERY: Jaguar XJ Ultimate Edition
Someone finally released a true automotive enthusiast iPhone case. id America created a brushed aluminum case in the style of an engine head gasket that is a must-have for any car guy.
A suede lining also prevents your phone from being scratched by the rugged-looking shell. The case is Available in six different colors: aluminum silver, titanium gray, modern bronze, vintage gold, jet black, and rally blue – all for $29.95. Each case also comes with front and black clear screen protective film, a squeegee to help you apply it, and a microfiber cleaning cloth.
Check out a video review of the id America Gasket iPhone case after the break.
[Source: id America via CNet]
Earlier this week Ford began shipping out its update for its MyFord Touch, and now they have announced that the update also gives the SYNC system the ability to voice control tablet devoices.
While this move may come under scrutiny as Ford promoting the usage of tablets while driving, the American automaker is just hoping to take a preventive approach believing that consumers are bringing those devices into their vehicles with them regardless. ”Drivers are bringing these devices into the car already,” said Ford spokesman Alan Hall. “We’re allowing them to access the content in a safer way.”
The tablet compatibility will allow drivers to control devices such as an Apple iPad, Kindle Fire, HP Touchpad, Nook Color, and Sony Tablet S – a variety of different tablet devices – through their voice. Ford hopes that this will allow drivers to keep their eyes on the road when they inevitably have the urge to do something on their tablet.
Now we totally get the people that sit there and try to text on their cellphones while driving, but who seriously tries to access their 7-inch or 10-inch tablet while driving? Either way, at least Ford is taking a proactive approach in trying to develop technology that will make the roads safer, but maybe we just need to expedite the whole autonomous car thing if people really can’t wait to access their tablets.
[Source: Huffington Post]
With the iPad 3 announcement scheduled for next week, the rumor mills are churning on what Apple has up their sleeves next. As with everything Cupertino-related, nothing will ever be confirmed until it comes out of Tim Cook’s mouth.
The newest rumor has Apple China posting a job listing on LinkedIn for a “SQE/NPI with over 4 years Mechanical engineering background familiar with CNC/die casting/stamping/plastic injection, can use APQP/PPAP/SPC to control product quality.” Now while seeking an employee isn’t exactly groundbreaking news or entirely revealing of the company’s intentions, there’s reason to believe that Apple could finally be looking at their own infotainment system.
It makes sense considering Brabus has already outfitted their Mercedes iBusiness S-Class with Apple products and aspiring entrepreneurs are taking matters into their own hands by developing their own in-dash head unit replacement to use with an iPhone. With how abundant iPhones are in this world and how many vehicles are on the road, it almost makes sense that Apple would somehow integrate an infotainment system to work with its devices.
Systems such as the Ford SYNC (which is now standard in the new Fusion and Flex) is powered by a Microsoft Windows-based system, Apple’s infamous rival in the marketplace. Other manufacturers such as Kia and Toyota also employ Microsoft’s services but we feel it’s the threat of Google’s Android into the marketplace that has Apple interested.
Sure Microsoft has almost a 10-year head start in the auto infotainment industry, but it’s Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS that rules the world now. Both mobile operating systems have already been used to seamlessly sync into vehicles and they have the most accessibility to functional apps. In addition, app developers around the world have already embraced what Google and Apple have to offer.
So what is it Apple could be making? Based on the job listing, it seems that they could be looking into manufacturing a device that will integrate into a car’s dashboard. Our guess is that it’ll be a very plain-looking, but sleek head unit that will wirelessly sync with your Apple device to stream music, movies, app data, and more to your vehicle.
[Source: Car News China]
Ford is taking a clever approach to virtually revealing the new 2013 Fusion sedan before its official debut at the upcoming 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Using an app, now available on Android and iOS systems for smartphones and tablets, is an augmented reality game app where users can virtually drive the new Fusion through a series of worlds that unlock to reveal the car.
Each track is loaded with video clips featuring insight on technology and design from key Fusion team members. A daily video clip will unlock more content to the app every day with demonstrations of key vehicle features on the new 2013 Fusion.
When the vehicle finally debuts at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, users will be able to unlock access to the full image of the car. At that point, they will also be able to drive any of the four Fusions on the virtual track in addition to creating a custom image of the car to share via Facebook or Twitter.
The all-new Ford Fusion will also be the Official Car of the 2012 CES show.
Check out an app walkthrough video after the break.
A few weeks ago, we told you about the mystery surrounding the missing license plate on Steve Jobs’ silver Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG. Was it a payoff to the cops? Did he have a permit to drive plateless? It turns out he just wanted to be “different.”
iTWire had the chance to talk with Jon Callas, the CTO of Entrust, who had worked at Apple in various senior security roles. And according to Callas, Jobs had found a loophole in California vehicle laws that allowed him to legally and permanently drive without a licence plate.
Taking the Apple motto of “Think Differently” to the roads, Jobs learned that a new car can drive without a licence plate for a maximum of six months. Jobs made a deal with the leasing company: he would swap his old car for a new one during the sixth month of the lease. Jobs always got identical silver Mercedes SL55 AMGs, so one would have to have a very keen eye to be able to spot the differences. This meant that Jobs never owned a particular SL55 AMG for longer than six months, therefore he never had to put a licence plate on it.
[Source: iTWire]
Fiat is the latest automaker to launch a new Apple application, and the Italian automaker has based the app on the 2012 500. The free app offers an in-depth look at the 500 including a historical design timeline of the iconic Fiat 500.
App users can view galleries of four emerging artists, including a graffiti artist, a 17-year old professional photographer, a painter/ sculptor, and an illustrator. The app also includes a Fiat 500 vehicle catalog, with detailed 360-degree images, videos and product information as well as wallpaper and sketch downloads.
[Source: Car Tech Blog]
Porsche has released a unique application called the Porsche 360° app for the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. This app allows for an up-close driving experience without actually sitting inside one of the sports cars.
The app allows users to ride shotgun, alongside Porsche driver Jeroen Bleekemolen for a lap around the Zandvoort circuit. While in the simulator, the user can choose any viewing angle by moving the Apple product into the according direction.
This app is currently only available in The Netherlands, but is also in the App store in co-operation with Porsche AG.
Check out the Porsche 360° video after the jump!
Apple has officially rejected any inclusion of DUI checkpoints in its iOS apps. In this week’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple updated its app store to prohibit applications informing users of DUI checkpoints.
This recent update was a result of a group of U.S Senators sending numerous letters of concern to Apple, Google, and RIM, asking the smartphone companies to remove and disable all apps that would inform users of DUI checkpoints.
Section 22.8 states:
Apps which contain DUI checkpoints that are not published by law enforcement agencies, or encourage and enable drunk driving, will be rejected.
Developers may be able to remove the DUI functionality from their apps, however most of the programs that identify law enforcement activity pertaining to checkpoints and speed traps are crowd-sourced, which means users submit the checkpoints themselves without app developers knowing what they’re identifying.
[Source: Autoblog]
We knew it was just a matter of time once Apple introduced its next-generation of products (most noticeably the iPad 2) that Brabus would be updating their iBusiness package on Mercedes-Benz‘s S-Class luxury sedan. Geared towards becoming the world’s fastest mobile office, Brabus stepped up their game some more on their Brabus 800 iBusiness 2.0 demo car, pushing out 800-hp and 1,047 ft-lbs of torque, giving it a top speed of 219-mph.
The heart of the iBusiness 2.0 is essentially in the excess use of Apple technology throughout the cabin. A Mac Mini is installed in a leather-lined tray in the trunk, connected to a 15.2-inch TFT display that is revealed from the alcantara headliner. The display is also hooked up to be an auxiliary display to the two iPad 2s that can be found on the adjustable custom tables found behind each front seat. Along with each tablet is an Apple bluetooth keyboard, giving its passengers full control to work on the road.
An Internet connection is always ready on the go also thanks to Brabus outfitting the S-Class with UMTS and HDSPA networking. Brabus has even developed their own app, allowing the iPad 2s in the backseat to control Mercedes’ COMAND system that’s normally taken care of by the front driver and passenger. Oh yeah, a 64GB iPod Touch can be found in the rear center console to adjust what tunes are being blasted through the S-Class or Sennheiser’s Noise Gard headphones.
The iBusiness 2.0 conversion is available for any S-Class model, from the S 350 to the S 65. Obviously the gaudy 800-hp is only available for the twin-turbo V12, but hey, some people might rather get to their destination a little slower with all the gadgets available to them. Angry Birds anyone?
Official press release available after the break.
GALLERY: Brabus iBusiness 2.0 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
iSupercar Sounds has developed an app for various Apple iOS products featuring sound clips and high resolution wallpapers for various luxury and exotic cars out there. From Ferrari to Lexus, iSupercar Sounds has you covered if listening to supercars is your source of pleasure. Hey, we’re not judging.
Currently there’s a free version of the app up on the store, featuring 30 minutes of ad-supported sound clips. Those that have $0.99 to spend can grab the full version which comes with 30 additional sounds. iSupercar Sounds is also promising weekly updates with additional cars. Not too shabby for under a buck, save yourself a trip to McDonald’s and you can stop using that juvenile fart app. OK who are we kidding, fart sounds are still hilarious.
[Source: DUB Daily]
GALLERY: iSupercar Sounds App
