Edmunds' InsideLine.com Features Audio Solutions and Innovations in its "Automotive App of the Week" Series

Edmunds' InsideLine.com Features Audio Solutions and Innovations in its "Automotive App of the Week" Series

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — February 4, 2011 — Creative smartphone applications are enhancing car audio entertainment at little or no extra cost, according to Edmunds' InsideLine.com. These smartphone apps, which are reviewed by InsideLine.com Senior Editor Doug Newcomb in his "Automotive App of the Week" series, underscore just how far the automotive listening experience has progressed since the days of old radio dials.

One of the latest examples is Aha Radio, a free app that offers users access to Internet radio, podcasts, traffic reports and restaurant reviews. It also offers a karaoke feature that allows users to share their inner rock stars or listen to others shamelessly belt out their favorite songs. But what sets this app apart from others is its ability to feed a user's social networking fix by converting to audio Twitter and Facebook posts using text-to-speech technology.

The free iheartradio app offers access to many Clear Channel radio stations nationwide. So, even if you move cross country, you may not have to give up your favorite hometown station. The app also includes premium content from radio personalities and celebrity-created stations.

Another useful audio tool is Gesture Music. This $1.99 app links up to a user's iPod and allows for easy control of music with simple swipes and taps. Sliding a finger allows the user to skip a track, while taps on the screen can alternately pause and play the sound. The effortless touch commands allow a driver to operate the app without taking his or her eyes off the road.

The "Automotive App of the Week" on Edmunds' InsideLine.com features not only audio entertainment applications, but also other innovative apps designed to complement the driving experience. Other recent apps reviewed by Edmunds' InsideLine.com include:

• Augmented Driving: Though it requires a windshield mount and precise setup, this app will issue warnings when the car drifts out of lane, gets too close to the car ahead, or exceeds the speed limit.
• Fail Driver: Ever want to report a driver that cut you off? The Fail Driver app provides a virtual outlet for drivers to report automotive infractions by filling out incident info or snapping a photo.
• DriveMeCrazy: Similar to Fail Driver, but DriveMeCrazy lets users go one step further by informing police and insurance companies about another driver's misdeeds.
• Waze: This videogame-like app allows users to report traffic and road speed patterns, get directions, and find Facebook friends on the road, creating "social navigation" for its app community.

For detailed reviews of these and other car-related apps, please visit the Straightline Blog (http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline) on Edmunds' InsideLine.com. Edmunds.com's technology page (http://www.edmunds.com/car-technology/) also highlights other automotive technologies like sound systems, Bluetooth, camera additions, and futuristic auto features.

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Edmunds publishes Web sites that empower, engage and educate automotive consumers, enthusiasts and insiders. Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, launched in 1995 as the first automotive information Web site and hosts the most established automotive community online. Its mobile site, accessible from any smartphone at www.edmunds.com, makes car pricing and other research tools available for car shoppers at dealerships and otherwise on the go. InsideLine.com is the most-read automotive enthusiast Web site. Its mobile site, accessible from any smartphone at www.insideline.com, features the wireless Web's highest quality car photos and videos. AutoObserver.com provides insightful automotive industry commentary and analysis. Edmunds is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and maintains a satellite office in suburban Detroit. Follow Edmunds.com on Twitter@edmunds and fan Edmunds.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/edmunds.