Hot Wheels is finding new ways to make their toys relevant and fun again, this time around launching a new product line called the iNitro Speeders which allows the user to control their little car through an iPhone app.

Similar to what you’d find with a standard remote controlled car, the iPhone app features your standard dual-stick controller but also takes advantage of the iPhone’s built-in accelerometer to control the car. Even cooler, you can use the app to choose a predefined driving route or draw your own pattern and watch it come to life with the miniature car.

And even though you can control the car with a standard remote control that’s included, taking advantage of the iPhone app really makes it different and fun. It comes with an infrared module that plugs into the iPhone’s headphone port and after you calibrate it you’ll be good to go. Lastly, the app has a built-in racing game that you can play without the remote controlled car, giving kids and young adults (like us) a little bit of everything to enjoy.

[Source: CNet]

Oh no – what does that flashing light on your dashboard mean? Now there’s an app that will tell you exactly what’s wrong.

The new Actron InfoMobile Lite app for iPhone and Android smart phones lets you easily reference data from an Actron diagnostic scan tool. The On-Board Diagnostic (OBD II) trouble code definitions (they are collected by the engine when a check engine light is lit up) are delivered right to your cell phone. The OBD II code definitions are relevant for vehicles built in 1996 and newer when used with an OBD II code reader.

“Our Actron InfoMobile Lite app is a very convenient option for auto enthusiasts because it eliminates the need for a computer – simply access trouble codes from your Actron PocketScan Code Reader or other diagnostic code reader, download the app to your iPhone or Android, and discover the trouble code definitions,” said Jennifer Grabowski, product manager for Actron Diagnostic Scan Tools. “We are providing accurate and reliable information that automotive DIYers can use to understand why their check engine light is on, and we’re offering it for an electronic product that nearly everyone carries.”

The Actron InfoMobile Lite app is free… and you can’t beat that price. Download the app now from the iTunes or Android Marketplace stores. There is one downside, though. The app doesn’t function by itself, you need a code reader. Guess what, Actron makes those and they aren’t exactly cheap. Even at Amazon’s significant discount, it costs $59.95.

There’s one other thing to keep in mind before placing an order, trouble codes are good, but they aren’t perfect. A single blown fuse can cause dozens of error codes capable of puzzling the best mechanics. On the upside, arming yourself with more knowledge before visiting your local grease monkey puts a lot of leverage in your corner when he tries to tell you the transmission is shot.

Buick has launched an app for iOS and Android smartphones to help raise MPG awareness. A trio of eAssist Fuel Efficiency smartphone games are packaged into a single app that’s now available to download for free and offers a fun way to hone your driving techniques in order to maximize fuel economy.

The three games are titled “Regeneration Road”, “Roll and Boost”, and “Wind Tunnel Tester.” Regeneration Road focuses on the regenerative braking featured found on Buick eAssist vehicles which helps capture and store energy when a vehicle is braking in order to recharge the lithium-ion battery. Players must make it through the town without running out of fuel while avoiding pedestrians along the way.

The second game, Roll and Boost, has a focus of distance and not speed with battery management being the main priority. By using the energy stored from braking strategically, an emissions-free boost of acceleration can be had and using that energy at optimal times is key to Roll and Boost.

Lastly, Wind Tunnel Tester allows players to put on their automotive engineering hat. Sit there and tweak the vehicle’s length and width on the screen, understanding how the sleek and modern shapes of Buick vehicles help maximize aerodynamics and ultimately fuel efficiency.

eAssist can be found on the Buick LaCrosse and Regal models and aids the performance of a fuel-efficient 2.4L gas engine to achieve 36-mpg. eAssist also allows the gas engine to turn off completely while the car is sitting idle.

“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.”

With the Volkswagen Golf R hitting US dealerships this month, the German automaker has decided to release the “Golf R Drivers Forever” app to bring Golf R information to the masses.

The iPad app will provide access to everything anyone would ever want to know about the iconic performance model and features stories told through the perspective of VW enthusiasts and drivers that helped bring the coveted variant to America. It’ll include a mini-documentary about the world of Volkswagen, an exclusive interview with designer Chip Foose and accounts from key members of the Volkswagen of America Product Marketing team.

“The Golf R app was created to celebrate and thank the Volkswagen brand’s community of enthusiasts because they represent what makes the Golf R special,” said Jon Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “The app will help build awareness around the Volkswagen brand heritage and we are excited to offer this innovative approach that illustrates the performance of the Golf R.”

The 2012 Golf R is the most powerful Volkswagen sports performance vehicle ever sold on American soil. It packs 256-hp and 243 lb-ft of torque through a 2.0L TSI engine. The app is free to download.

Check out a video after the break highlighting what the app is all about.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Golf R Drivers Forever App

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There’s nothing entirely revolutionary about an app that reminds you where you parked your car, but the guys looking to finish their “Find My Car Smart” app wants to revolutionize the process involved.

Currently the vast majority (all) of the apps require you to launch the app after you park your car, mark it on your map and is entirely dependent on how strong your GPS signal is. Find My Car Smart on the other hand will integrate the new Bluetooth 4.0 technology found in Apple’s iPhone 4S in order to track where your parked your car.

The project is looking for funding in order to acquire and program a large order of Bluetooth Smart Devices so that they can be offered at an affordable price. Essentially, the Bluetooth Smart device is a USB-powered Bluetooth adapter and when your vehicle is shutoff, the app will detect the Bluetooth device powering down and automatically start the GPS and save your car’s location. From there, you only need to fire up the app to find your car.

Even though the app is up on the iOS App Store, it doesn’t do much without the Bluetooth Smart device and the programming it needs. So pledge today and help get this off the ground if you’re one of those people always wandering the mall parking lot looking for your car.

[Source: Kickstarter]

One of the reasons you hate driving in the city will no longer be an issue, thanks to the Parker iPhone app. This handy tool will scope out available parking spots in a variety of different cities, alleviating one of the annoyances that comes with the urban commute.

To ensure you get the most out of this app, Parker will take you through its helpful features and show you how it works its magic (Parker uses real-time sensors found at parking spaces and garages to get its data).  You’ll get a rundown of the app’s icons as well as features that let you filter parking searches, show payment methods available and the regions Parker covers.

On the home page of the app, you’re met with two options – Find or Park – that are color-coded to show parking-spot availability (green=best, blue=OK and red=keep looking), as well as the price and time limit of the spot.

The Parker app also comes with options to pay with your mobile phone (only at select locations) and allows you to rate, comment and share info and pictures of the parking spot – that’s for when you snag a really sweet spot and want to brag about it.

The iPhone Parker app covers quite a few cities, including Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and New York, with more to be added soon. You can download it for free at the iTunes store.

[Source: Edmunds]

If you own a Mazda and an iPhone, you’ll want to download the all-new MyMazda iPhone app. This handy free app offers you easy access to service offers, scheduled and factory maintenance reminders, and other important information – right at your fingertips.

Claiming to be one of the first automotive iPhone apps to provide customers with real-time information about their vehicle, the MyMazda app lets you see when you’re due for maintenance, it gives you your vehicle service history and provides you with recall updates.  You can also use the app to register your Mazda, update your contact information and select a preferred dealer for each car you register.

Synced with the Mazda Customer Connect (MCC), the MyMazda app has direct mail, email, appointment scheduling, mobile bar coding and a text messaging reminder feature, as well as access to custom tailored service and parts offers and promotions. If you need to book an appointment with the nearest dealer, just use the Mazda dealer locator to find one that’s close to you.

If you’re the forgetful type, MyMazda has got you covered – it will send you reminder alerts for upcoming appointments. Plus, with the GPS-powered car locator, once you park your car, you can type in its location so you can find it easily later on – that feature will come in handy at crowded shopping mall parking lots.

The MyMazda iPhone app is available for download at the Apple iTunes store. Android users can expect to see the Android version of the app released in the next few months.

With every development of a new app, the smartphone is turning into a necessity. The latest to be created for car owners is the Car Recalls iPhone app.

For owners who want to find a better way to stay on top of all the recalls regarding their vehicles, they can refer to this software and search for recalls that date as early as 1950. New recalls that are issued with be notified to your phone as well.

As handy as this tool may be, the Car Recalls iPhone app does have some shortcomings. The app does not provide a contact number to get in touch with specialists that handle the recall, nor does it provide details on the consequences if one does not address the problem in a timely manner. Regardless, if your car is recalled, call your local dealer and book a service appointment.

The app isn’t free, but it does cost just $.99 and can be purchased here.

[Source: InsideLine]

Ever wonder how much that road trip is going to cost you in gas? Before you pack up the car, download the Cost2Drive app to see if you’ve got enough cash for gas to make it to your destination.

Cost2Drive will estimate how much it will cost to fuel up on a road trip. All you have to do is enter a starting address, ending address, and the make, model, and year of your vehicle, and Cost2Drive will do the rest. This super smart app calculates how much money you’ll need to fuel up based on the distance between the starting and ending points, the highway fuel economy estimate for your vehicle, the size of your vehicle’s gas tank and what type of fuel it uses. It even sources gas prices along your route and factors them into your total cost.

If your travelling budget is a little on the tight side, Cost2Drive will show you the gas stations that have the lowest fuel prices along your route, and how often you should stop to fill up. Although Cost2Drive only estimates for one-way trips, it’s easy enough to either double that amount or figure out your return trip home.

If you’re eco-conscious, Cost2Drive can help you out there, too. It also offers displays the carbon footprint for your selected trip and it has an option to purchase carbon offsets in order to make your trip as green as possible.

Let’s just say that after you plug in all the information and the time, money and distance estimates are a little too much for you to handle. In that case, Cost2Drive also offers the Kayak trip planning service, which will show you the lowest airfare to your chosen destination. You can compare flying vs. driving and weight the pros and cons for each method of transportation.

The Cost2Drive app costs $1.99 in the iTunes App Store, or you can use the free service on the Cost2Drive website.

[Source: Cnet]

You can never have enough racing games on your iPhone or iPad, so it’s a good thing the new Mercedes-AMG 0-100-0 Challenge is ready to be downloaded. This app puts you behind the wheel of the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster, so you can tear up the track and test your mad racing skills.

Available for free on iTunes, the Mercedes-AMG 0-100-0 Challenge game puts you on a closed course and challenges you to go from stop to 100 mph and stop again in the shortest time possible. This game is more than just speed – it’s about control and reaction time. How long will it take you to clamp down on those six piston caliper brakes to bring your Mercedes-AMG to a complete stop?  Your acceleration and deceleration times will be combined with your reaction times to give you a total score and determine your position on the leaderboard. After a few test runs, you can brag to all your friends via Facebook or Twitter by posting your times and see if any of them can beat it.

You can download the Mercedes-AMG 0-100-0 Challenge for free at the iTunes store.