BUYER’S GUIDE: Nifty apps for drivers
It’s strange to think of a time when mobile phones didn’t exist. Today, our smartphones make up a huge part of our lives and, believe it or not, in New Zealand there are more cellphones than people.
Most modern vehicles now have the ability to connect wirelessly to a mobile device, often through services such as Apple Car Play and Android Auto that are designed with safety in mind.
We’ve put together a few handy apps designed for drivers to use — when they’ve pulled over safely.
Gaspy — NZ Fuel Prices 300,000+ downloads
Gaspy is committed to helping Kiwis find the cheapest and closest fuel prices, with a convenient free app.
The app relies on feedback generated by motorists to find and share the best petrol and diesel prices in the country.
Gaspy was developed by Tauranga-based IT software development company Hwen. It’s available on iPhone and Android.
AT Park 50,000+ downloads
Looking for a street park for a short stay in the heart of the city? Then you may want to check out Auckland Transport’s parking app, AT Park, which simplifies parking in the central city.
Users can pay for parking from their phone without the need to visit a parking machine or display a ticket. This now sits alongside my AT Bus tracker and AT mobile applications.
Waze 110 million+ downloads
Always know what’s happening on the road with Waze. Waze has GPS navigation software that works on smartphones and tablets with GPS support.
It provides turn-by-turn navigation information and user-submitted travel times and route details, while downloading location dependent information over a mobile network.
The app tells you about traffic, construction and crashes in realtime. Waze is described as a community-driven GPS navigation app. It’s free to download and use.
Manufacturer specific applications
Some vehicles have manufacturer-specific apps that transmit data from the vehicle. This allows the user to take the next step and know a little bit more about what is happening with their car, such as driving stats, vehicle location, or even control cabin temperatures. The Tesla App puts owners in direct communication with their vehicles anytime, anywhere. With this app you can:
● Unlock and drive your Tesla without your key.
● “Summon”’ your Tesla to drive itself out of a tight space.
● Check current range, charge status, and receive charging complete notifications.
● Remotely vent your vehicle or turn on the climate control system.
● GPS locating, so you never forget where you parked.
● Use Valet mode, which restricts certain parts of your vehicle when handing over for a service or valet parking. This includes the ability to hide all personal data from your touchscreen, limit the maximum speed and performance, and lock your front storage and glove compartments to safely conceal valuables.
Hyundai Auto Link connects your car’s on-board computer to your mobile phone via Bluetooth, keeping track of your car’s performance and providing analytical information so you can keep your Hyundai running smoothly. Some handy features:
● Alerts you to any sign of faults within the vehicle management system
● Provides vehicle location and parking timer
● Tracks rapid acceleration and hard braking (good for when the kids borrow the car).
● Allows you to monitor your fuel efficiency statistics on each trip.