smartphones

Drivers won't have to upgrade to a new car with a big screen and the latest hardware to use certain functions similar to Google's Android Auto. The tech giant on Tuesday said at its developer conference that its revamped Google Assistant feature set to roll out over the next few months will include...Read More»

A new study from the IIHS makes it clear Americans aren't giving up their cell phones behind the wheel, but there's some good news. The IIHS published the results of a study last week and found that drivers are more likely to talk on the phone than text. The study surveyed 800 drivers across the...Read More»

Google Maps has finally begun to roll out speed limit information for drivers using the application across the U.S. The additional feature is an unusual example of Google playing catch up since rival apps have shown drivers local speed limits for years. Engadget reported last Friday that speed...Read More»

Forgot to turn your smart thermostat down at home before leaving? No problem, Amazon said Thursday. Just ask your car to do it. The e-commerce giant released an Alexa Auto Software Development Kit for new vehicles as a way to incorporate key functions of the voice-activated software into vehicle...Read More»

Love them or hate them, there's no denying that smartphones make life easier for many of us. Need a ride? Book it on Uber. Want to skip the line at the cinema? Open an app and grab some quick tickets. Shocked to see that your beloved new videogame costs $60 in the big box store? Haul out your...Read More»

The smartphone has become a central component of daily life. It's where we go to make calls, send texts, keep up with endless Facebook feeds, and store frequent-shopper cards. In Iowa, it will soon be where motorists keep their driver's licenses, too. ALSO SEE: 2016 Audi Q7: First Look According to...Read More»

For years, automakers have attempted to refine our dashboards, making them as slick, simple, intuitive, and interactive as our smartphones. For the most part, they have failed. Miserably. Thankfully, smartphone manufacturers -- or rather, the companies that build the operating systems powering...Read More»

Connoisseurs of commuting could argue that Waze has single-handedly upended navigation technology. Think about it. Once upon a time, gadgets and apps had to rely on data from big corporations like INRIX to tell travelers about traffic ahead. Waze said, "Forget that. Why not let the drivers...Read More»

If you've ever driven a car like the Toyota Prius, you know the joy that comes with a know-it-all key fob. There's no fumbling in your pocket in the rain to unlock the door; so long as the fob is in your pocket, the car unlocks itself when you approach. Now, now matter what sort of vehicle you...Read More»

When Apple's App Store debuted in 2008, automakers saw change a-comin'. Since then, they've been scrambling to find ways to integrate apps into dashboards, and many are working hard to build proprietary app environments. But is it a good idea for automakers to micromanage the infotainment...Read More»

The Car Connection has been a pioneer in mobile apps, and today we're proud to announce our latest effort: a native Android app for the millions of users who read our news, reviews, tips, and advice on a device that doesn't grow on trees. It's the perfect way for car shoppers and enthusiasts alike...Read More»

They say there's an app for everything, but it's more accurate to say that there are many apps for nearly everything. By which we mean that there are plenty of apps on the market, but most are very specialized. They're better at solving specific problems rather than a range of related issues. When...Read More»

If your job requires you to spend time slouched in front of a computer, chances are good that you use several software programs to accomplish your daily duties. And naturally, you find some of those programs easier to use than others. That's similar to the way that many drivers feel about...Read More»

Smartphones have become our cameras, our radios, and our wallets, and they'll continue to become more central in our lives -- at least until they're integrated into eyeglasses or contacts or some kind of high-tech implant. If you've been paying attention to auto news, you also know that phones are...Read More»

The new 2013 Chevrolet Spark minicar is already one of the lowest-priced models for sale in the U.S. market; and late this year it's going to delight a lot of no-frills shoppers—in being the lowest-priced new car to offer a fully functioning in-dash touch-screen navigation system. In the...Read More»

Yesterday, our colleagues at Total Car Score offered their take on the best iPhone 5 apps for drivers. We agree with many of their picks, but we also know that a growing number of our friends own Android phones, which can't use software like Apple Maps. Naturally, we began to wonder: what must-have...Read More»

Today, most of the tech world's attention is focused on Apple and the likely debut of the iPhone 5 (and maybe the iPad Mini). But there's another tech story on the West Coast that could have a direct effect on your love life -- especially if you drive a Ford. In San Francisco, the gadget blog...Read More»

Nearly every week, we see the debut of a new app that half-heartedly promises to end distracted driving once and for all. This time around, however, the app du jour does something a little different, which makes it -- if not perfect -- at least a bit better than its predecessors. Anti-texting...Read More»