The Top 5 Smartphone Apps for Drivers

 

Here are our current favourite apps for iPhone and Android phones. What are yours? Head over to our Facebook page and let us know!

 

1) Google Maps – Traffic

 

 There are a few good traffic apps out there, but this remains our favourite for its simplicity and accuracy. You can see real-time traffic conditions on virtually any road, anywhere.

 

For more info on how it works, watch the video here.

 

Price: Free

 

Works on: iOS, Android (with turn-by-turn navigation), Windows Mobile, Blackberry

 

2) Metroview

 

A GPS navigation app that does a great job of spoken turn-by-turn navigation for less than $20.

 

It does most of what the more expensive GPS apps offer, although it misses out on in-tunnel navigation and occasionally throws out routes including no-right turns or one-way streets. We still think it’s a bargain for the price.

 

Price: $18.99

 

Works on: iOS, Android (currently in Beta only, not publicly available)

 

Get it here: http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/metroview-australia/id370753892?mt=8

 

 

3) Dragon Dictation

Dragon are leaders in voice-to-text technology and it’s their system that Apple’s Siri uses to work its magic.

 

This free app does a remarkable job of voice recognition, and the captured text can then easily be sent by SMS, email or to Facebook and Twitter.

 

While it’s not for use while actually driving, it makes emailing and texting much faster when out and about – perfect for the Road Warrior!

 

Price: Free on iOS, FlexT9 is $4.93

  

Works on: iOS. FlexT9 is a more powerful solution for Android

 

Get it here (iTunes): http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/dragon-dictation/id341446764?mt=8

 

Get it here (Android):  https://market.android.com/details?id=com.nuance.flext9.input&feature=search_result

 

4) Pocket Casts

 

We had to include a podcast app because it’s one of the best ways to make traffic more bearable! No matter what your interests, there’s a podcast (or several) just for you.

 

Pocket Casts lets you subscribe to your favourites, stream or download them, play video podcasts and more. Best of all, it’s super fast, showing you new stuff over 20x faster than most other podcast apps.

 

Price: $1.99 (iTunes); $2.70 (Android)

Works on: iOS, Android

 

Get it here (iTunes): http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/pocket-casts/id414834813?mt=8

 

Get it here (Android): https://market.android.com/details?id=au.com.shiftyjelly.pocketcasts

 

 

5) Car Kit

This nifty Android app optimises your phone for in-car use by automatically loading specific settings when in the car.

 

It engages when you plug your phone into the car dock (or when you engage it yourself), then activates a special display mode suitable for in-car use with larger icons and text, displays SMS in large text (and dictates them to you), activates speakerphone, prevents Sleep Mode from engaging and lots more.

 

Price: $0.99

 

Works on: Android

 

Get it here:  https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bigbangllc.carkit&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5iaWdiYW5nbGxjLmNhcmtpdCJd

 

 

Got your own favourites? Head over to our Facebook page and share them there!

 

Drive safe - get a phone cradle to hold your phone securely, ideally with a hands-free car kit to give you safer control of phone calls, navigation and music.

 

Got a question about options for your phone or car? Call us on 1800 CAR KIT for no-obligation advice.