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]

Xatori Inc., the same company that created PlugShare, has released their second iOS application called GreenCharge. Building off the success of PlugCharge, which is the nation’s largest electric vehicle charging network, GreenCharge allows owners of electric vehicles to view real time battery data and to see and share the environmental and monetary benefits of owning their EV.

The app is currently only available on Apple devices for $9.99 and can sync directly with eligible electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt. It is also the first and only app that connects driving data with local energy pricing to give the user their costs of operating their electric car. And for those that are really green, the app will let them know the carbon offset from their driving.

Those that don’t yet own an electric vehicle but are considering one can also use the app on a demo car to simulate driving and cost information to see if an EV would be worth the investment. Lastly, no app would be welcomed in 2012 without the ease of sharing your info on Twitter and Facebook.

“I’ve talked to too many people who have been confused about the benefits and operating costs of an electric vehicle” said Forrest North, CEO of Xatori Inc. “We built GreenCharge to let EV owners understand their cars and educate others on the true environmental and monetary benefits of driving an electric vehicle.”

Check out a video highlighting the app’s functionality after the break.

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If you thought the Facebook Donk was the ultimate internet homage, then you’ve clearly underestimated the laughably tasteless creativity of the Donk community. The uber-popular Angry Birds smart phone app has made its way into an Internet Google Chrome-browser friendly experience, the successful Rio movie, and now apparently into the donk crowd.

Along with the Angry Birds screen image on the hood, this boxy Chevy gets some pause buttons on the fenders and while it’s hard to see from the photos, behind each of those massive 24-inch wheels are covers that feature the famous birds themselves.

We can’t help but wonder what’s next. A Farmville-themed Donk? Cake Story?

GALLERY: Angry Birds Donk

[Source: Kotaku]

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

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A first in the tire industry, Toyo Tires has just released an online tire fitment guide that’s compatible with the iPhone and iPod Touch. The guide includes information on proper tire sizes, inflation pressures and premium replacement products.

The Tire Finder program — located at http://tirefinder.toyotires.com/ — recognizes an iPhone or iPod Touch and formats viewing for the mobile device screen. To search the comprehensive database of vehicles, fitments and premium replacement tires, users simply select vehicle year, make, model and options from drop-down menus.  The result is a list of Toyo brand tires in sizes appropriate for the selected vehicle, ranging from the original equipment size to plus sizes.

“As a company that prides itself on technology and innovation, we are pleased to be the first tire manufacturer in the world with a mobile fitment guide,” said Steve Hutchinson, vice president of marketing, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp.  “Consumers and dealers alike want fast, easy access to information. The Toyo Tire Finder meets this demand and places our extensive line of replacement products in their hands.”

[Source: Toyo Tires]

In the interest of fairness, we do think it’s incredibly difficult to market a new car. After all, how are you supposed to get attention from prospective buyers — especially when your latest city car is geared toward the youngest demographic possible?

Audi is trying to coax a few more eyeballs onto their A1 city car by releasing Beat Driver (iTunes link), an iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad game. The purpose? Steer through a fictional landscape (think F-Zero or Wipeout), drive into pulsating blocks, get powerups, and avoid the dreaded black “X” block.

As an avid iPhone users, we immediately downloaded and fired up the game — and were pleasantly surprised to find a track by Canadian band Metric (“Gold Guns Girls”) as one of the in-game songs. Torpedo, Tommy Sparks, The Music, White Lies, The Rakes, La Roux, The Fall, and Lo-F-Fnk also contribute tracks.

After a quick test drive, here’s the verdict: the music is good, but the game is awful. It’s a tired concept that doesn’t make use of any features of the iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad platform, and was clearly cranked out for some middle manager at a marketing firm to tout its success through numbers of downloads.

And despite an “international high score list,” Facebook, and Twitter integration, it comes off as a desperate attempt to pander to the “cool kids” that Audi so desperately wants in the A1.

Ever seen a Volkswagen with a little white Mac apple decal on the back? Of course you have. VWs and Macs go together like Beer and bratwurst. Volkswagen has decided to work with its fan base and launch the new 2010 GTI using Mac’s App Store, where you can now download a free racing video game featuring the new 2010 GTI.

As though that wasn’t already cooler than a Weezer t-shirt and some dark rimmed Emo glasses, Volkswagen will give away one special edition GTI each week for the next six weeks. Ever time you play the Real Racing GTI App you get the chance to win one of the custom cars, which feature black 18-inch wheels, a carbon-look interior trim, unique stitching on the headrests and a numbered plaque.

The Real Racing GTI App also lets competitors send message to other drivers via Twitter, as well as upload videos onto YouTube.

The game is offered for the iPhone and iPod touch and is free. Just visit the App Store on your phone of visit www.itunes.com/appstore.

And be sure to read our review of the 2010 GTI here:

2010 Volkswagen GTI First Drive

Official release after the jump:

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