Image via Complex Original
You've heard the saying "there's an app for that." Now, thanks to a slew of awesome new car apps, car guys everywhere can get traffic info, monitor fuel efficiency, find cheap parking, and see where the local cop is hiding - all delivered to a smart phone. Today, we check out 11 cool transportation apps that are quickly becoming must-have items for gear-heads everywhere.
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INRIX Traffic
Cost: FREE
Compatibility: iPhone, Android
There is no bigger buzz kill than a traffic jam. Now, thanks to INRIX Traffic, users can get up-to-date traffic info, accident reports, traffic forecasting, and best-route advice. This app is a must-have for the urban commuter.
Embark NYC Subway
Cost: FREE
Compatibility: iPhone, Android
Train schedules, those tiny booklets that fold out to giant sheets of barely legible writing, have now become a thing of the past thanks to Embark NYC. The app allows you to search for subway stations, view schedules, and even see where trains are located within the network. Best of all, it's free and doesn't require a signal.
Pocketly Coupons
Cost: FREE
Compatibility: iPhone, Android
Couponing is not exactly cool - especially if you are trying to impress a girl. Fortunately, Pocketly Coupons allows you to search for local restaurants and businesses that are actively advertising discounted food, gas and merch. Life on the cheap has never been so easy!
aCar
Cost: FREE
Compatibility: Android
aCar is a state-of-the-art record-keeping app for cars. It tracks fill-ups, oil change deadlines, and will even record what types of parts your mechanic "says" he put in your car. A must-have if your glove box is full of Sublime CD's instead of vehicle records.
Dynolicious
Cost: $12.99
Compatibility: iPhone, Android
Need an excuse to use your iPhone's accelerometer? Download the super cool (but slightly pricey) app, Dynolicious, to gather the data your car won't give you. The app covers everything from 0-60 times to lateral G's and is the perfect accessory for anyone who doesn't have ten grand to drop on a real dyno.
Ulysse Speedometer
Cost: FREE
Compatibility: iPhone, Android
If you, like some of us, have a whip with a busted dashboard and/or broken speedo, then you desperately need the new (and free!) Ulysse Speedometer app. With more than 250,000 downloads, this virtual dashboard has been a proven lifesaver for struggling dudes everywhere.
AccuFuel
Cost: $0.99
Compatibility: iPhone
Car manufacturers often tend to fudge their figures on stated fuel economy. (Kia and Hyundai were recently forced to revise stated figures on all of their 2012 models.) Now, thanks to AccuFuel, you can track your fuel economy down to the last drop. The app will run you $0.99 but will also save you the embarrassment of realizing that your the truth about your Kia Sorento.
Trapster
Cost: FREE
Compatibility: iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone
Social networking isn't just for stalking old girlfriends and updating friends on the progress of your cat's urinary tract infection. No, some people are actually using 'the network' to save tons of cash. Trapster is a relatively new app that is dedicated to sharing the locations of millions of speed traps and road hazards around the country. The genius of the whole setup is that users are the primary source for up-to-the-minute information. So go ahead, put the pedal to the metal ... as long as you have Trapster.
Gas Buddy
Cost: FREE
Compatibility: iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone
The days of searching for cheap gas are now over. Thanks, in large part, to apps like Gas Buddy. Type in a zip or use you current location and Gas Buddy will direct you to the cheapest gas within your chosen radius. The app is free, works seamlessly, and is an absolute must for tourists and commuters alike.
Best Parking
Cost: FREE
Compatibility: iPhone, Android
Tired of paying out the nose for parking garages? We are too. Thanks to a new app called Best Parking, you can now scout out the cheapest, most discounted parking garages in most cities throughout the country. To make things even more awesome, the designers added a cool feature that allows users to search for early bird specials, daily deals, and monthly rates.
Waze Turn by Turn Navigation
Cost: FREE
Compatibility: iPhone, Android
What makes Waze super cool (besides it being free) is that, along with full GPS capabilities, Waze users can contribute to live updates on everything from traffic jams to where the cops are stationed. Waze founders call their burgeoning network "a personal heads up from a few million of your friends on the road." We say power-down the Garmin and download yourself a fresh version of this killer app.
