gps – PSafe Blog

How Can Your Electronics Integrate with Your Smart Car?

PSafe Newsroom — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 16:00:15 +0000

Smart cars are the future: they are environmentally friendly, and a great transportation option for growing urban environments. As the technology of smart cars improves, there are more and more opportunities for you to integrate your electronic devices into the car. From seamless connection to your cell phone and to your GPS, there are seemingly endless opportunities for you to use your smart car as a medium to use these devices.

While the smart car may be small, the vast amount of technological opportunities within the smart car compensate for its minute size. Check out all of the different opportunities for integrating electronics with your smart car below. These devices will drastically improve your driving experience, from getting you to where you need to be, to communicating with others, to helping you to park better.

Better GPS Connectivity

Smart cars offer many ways for you to use GPS technology to get from point A to point B. First, you can take the old school route and purchase a mount that will support your GPS device. Second, there is also an “In-Dash with GPS Navigation” option. Mercedes-Benz deems this technology as the “future of navigation.” This technology grants you the same quality GPS services. However, this technology is downloaded into your car, rather than a cumbersome device that sticks on your dashboard.

Smarter Bluetooth Technology

Bluetooth technology is certainly not unique to standard cars. In fact, several different firms offer Bluetooth technology compatible with smart cars. Ranging from $20 to several hundred dollars, these Bluetooth devices each offer unique capabilities, including noise and echo cancellation. Sondpex, Parrot, iSimple, and Rockford Fosgate are just a few of the companies that offer these smart car Bluetooth devices.

Cameras & Driver Safety

It’s safe to say that cameras and other similar technologies have saved thousands of fender benders throughout the past few years. Specifically, rear view cameras and parking sensors have assisted many in parking. In terms of the smart car, there are several different brands of back up cameras you can purchase and implement into your car.

Smart Cars and Android Devices

Your Android device will work harmoniously with the technology provided by smart cars. For example, there are several gadgets that will connect your phone’s music to your smart car’s stereo via Wi-Fi. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, there are several Bluetooth technologies available that will allow you to chat on your cell phone hands-free.

Here Are the Best Map Apps Available for Android

PSafe Newsroom — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 11:17:27 +0000

We want our map apps to be as accurate as possible. However, it depends what is meant by “accurate.” Does “accurate” mean that we want the most accurate maps app overall? By this we mean, do we want an app that can do it all, that has the most frequent and accurate traffic, construction, location, business, and road updates? After all, when traveling, we don’t want to drive to a place, or be told to take a road, that no longer exists. Or, by “accurate” we could mean we prioritize one of those aspects over another, and care, for example, more about having the latest traffic updates. It all depends on individual wants and needs in a maps app.

The Best Overall Maps App
Currently, Google Maps is arguably the best overall GPS app available. It is frequently updated and can be easily customized according to your needs. It is because of these frequent updates that Google Maps is considered to be the most accurate maps app. Other perks include a street view option, the ability to download offline maps, traffic and construction warnings, and business reviews. Plus, in the case of an error, it’s easy to quickly report a mistake. Click “send feedback” and then you can choose whether to report a data problem, a missing place, bugs, or suggestions on possible improvements to the app.

The Best Maps App for Traffic Updates
Even though Google bought Waze, and incorporated many of Waze’s traffic features into the Google Maps app, Waze is still a great app to have for the latest traffic updates. Waze is a network of fellow drivers that reports real-time traffic and construction updates, in addition to information on accidents, road closures, the best gas prices, and police sightings. The app will also take note of your frequent commutes and destinations, making it even easier to save your favorite routes.

The Best Alternatives to Google Maps
For whatever reason, maybe you’re not a fan of Google Maps. HERE WeGo is a free maps app that is well designed and easy to use. It is a great app to use if you frequently take public transportation, or walk and bike everywhere. It offers public transit information for more than 1,000 cities around the world, in addition to traffic updates and delays, voice guidance, and nearby businesses like restaurants and banks. It also provides information on ticket prices for public transportation, taxi fares, and the type of terrain on your route.

How Google Can Help You Find Your Parked Car

PSafe Newsroom — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 20:44:44 +0000

The movie “Dude Where’s My Car” resonates with all drivers in some way. Everyone has experienced the hassle of scaling the mall parking lot looking for their seemingly lost car. Luckily, with this new app, Google enables you to find your car without even a click of a button.

While there is already an array of apps dedicated to finding lost cars available on the market, most of them require you to manually punch in your exact location. This can be very stressful, especially when you are in an unknown territory. With Google’s new technology, your phone will know when you left your vehicle. This app utilizes your device’s sensors, so it knows whenever you are in a moving vehicle based upon the speed provided by your GPS. Thus, whenever you leave your vehicle, your phone will automatically know your exact location without your help.

How do I Access This App?

Open Google Google Now. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the screen. You should be able to locate an icon that resembles a magic wand. Click on it.
Click on the customize menu. Then locate the “everything else” option, and click on “How do you usually commute?”
Click on “Driving.”

Now, you should have the “Parking Card” app available.

A parking location card should show up in Google Now. Press the Menu icon on the card.
Answer a series of questions that will allow you to customize when you see the card.

Often times, users complain that these parking cards pop up even when they’re not driving. As a result, it can be a hassle constantly exiting out of these parking card pop-ups. To get rid of the parking cards:

When a parking card arises, touch the Menu icon
Press “No” when you are asked whether or not you want to continue receiving these notifications.

Want to learn more about cool Android apps and gadgets? Come over to the Android PSafe blog!