Be a Better Driver with your Smart Phone

By, 2017-01-15

Mobile_Driving

There is a noticeable decline for the use of complex maps and CDs that contain navigational maps, thanks to the digital revolution that has made smart phone applications and digital systems which are integrated in cars and make life easier for the driver.

Android Auto App

The application "Android Auto" from Google facilitates a lot of jobs, offering the driver a free and a full set of "Google Maps" including the current traffic status data, musical recordings from the Google Play service or Spotify or Pandora.

In addition to reports on the Weather forecast, and an instant chat service via the Internet, according to “PC Welt” magazine from Germany which specialises in technology issues. You can also run the “Android Auto” application through voice commands.

According to “PC Welt”, you can use the “Android Auto” application version 2.0 on your smartphone independently of your car, which makes it extremely useful for old cars that lack of digital technologies.

Navigation Apps

A reliable navigation system is, of course, the most important assistance that may be needed by the driver. There are many digital options in this context, but the best is "Google Maps" for smartphones that are running on both "Android" operating system, or "IOS" systems. “PC Welt" says that this service is very accurate and take into account the current traffic situation during the journey.

The free "Google Maps" application on the iPhones works very well, according to “PC Welt", where traffic status data displays instantly, thanks to assistance of the "Tom Tom" application.

There is also another free application to help drivers who use "IOS" devices or "Android" devices which is "Here To Go", which also provides maps without the need to Internet. There are many applications that help drivers to know locations of petrol stations, public toilets and parking lots in big cities. Also the application would worn the driver of the presence of cameras to monitor compliance with prescribed speeds.

Application to Find your Car

If the driver managed to find a parking spot, but he/she forgot by the end of the day where he/she had parked the car, then he/she can use the application "Maps" on "iPhone" or any other similar application, such as "One Touch Parking" on other devices to find the car anywhere again.

There are also application which would notify you before the parking allowance expires to come back to the parking to pay an additional fee.

Automatic App

One of the amazing mobile application which I found very useful is the “Automatic” application. While using Automatic app, every time you start your car, it will connect to your Automatic link and report back to track your data.

The last version of the app tracks your fuel usage, trip times and locations, estimated fuel cost, miles per gallon, and where your car is parked. Automatic app also gives you a driving score on a weekly basis, which takes into account rapid acceleration, hard braking, and excess speed over 120 km/h.

I learned a lot about my accelerating and braking habits, but anyone who's been to Doha knows that everyone drives over 120 km/h on the express ways. Sadly there is no way to set the top speed for the app, so you're stuck with this as is.

You can also choose to have audible alerts when each of these hazards occurs, but for me these quickly become annoying and can easily be disabled.