Quintessential Apps for Every Type of Car Enthusiast

Whether you enjoy watching auto races, fantasize about modifying your daily driver or simply want to get the latest from the auto world, we have you covered. Check out these apps, recommended by CNET and Automobile Magazine, to satisfy your inner gearhead.

For the Motorsports Fan

Driving Sports TV (iPhone, Android, free)

Have automotive entertainment at your fingertips with the Driving Sports TV app. Watch this web channel’s original videos optimized for your device and live-streaming programs. The app features a broadcast calendar and even lets users submit personal videos right to Driving Sports TV. Never be bored while you’re away from your computer again.

For the Auto News Junkie

Automobile Magazine News (iPhone, Android, free)

Stay tuned to the auto world with Automobile Magazine’s app. Get an inside look at race tracks and auto shows, explore car reviews and get the news. More than just a mobile version of the print mag, the app offers interactive content, including exclusive videos and beautiful photos.

For the Gamer

Top Gear: Race The Stig (iPhone, Android, free)

You may not be able to beat The Stig’s infamous odd facts, but you may have a chance to out-race the mystery driver from the BBC TV series Top Gear. Top Gear’s newest mobile game, “Race The Stig,” provides the option of in-app purchases for engine boosts, cars and helmets.

For the Collector

Edmunds Mobile Car App (iPhone, Android, free)

Have the previews got you excited about the 2016 models? Whether you’re lured by a new car smell or in the market for a used vehicle, the Edmunds Mobile Car App may be your expert best friend. Access consumer reviews, find local auto dealers for specific vehicles, and get true market value pricing info.

Kick Your Holiday Season Stress with These Savvy Apps

Who couldn’t use a little help chipping away at the holiday to-do list? Look no further than these seasonal apps to get the jobs done.

Greeting Cards: Sincerely Ink

You want to send holiday cards to family and friends, but you just haven’t had the time to run to the store or even sit down at your computer to create something. The Sincerely Ink app can design, customize, print and ship your holiday greeting cards directly from your smart phone. Simply import addresses from your contact book and recipients will receive your personalized greeting within a week.

Gift Giving: Checked Twice

Still getting Mom perfume every year? And does finding something new for Dad seem impossible? Checked Twice is a family gift registry that lets you create gift lists with items found online. That way, you can claim items so that nobody ends up purchasing a duplicate present and keep returns to a minimum.

Holiday Party: Pro Holiday Planner

The gifts are wrapped and it’s time to get ready for a house full of guests. Forget the pen and paper. Pro Holiday Planner helps you create a table map to manage seating arrangements, keep track of invitations, RSVPs and thank you notes. You can even decorate your house virtually to see how the decorations will look.

Lingering Leftovers: 4 Day Throw Away

Everyone is stuffed from your feast, but look at all those leftovers. Before you pack your fridge, download the 4 Day Throw Away app. The app will help you determine refrigerator and freezer storage times, so you know when to get rid of all those leftovers.

Want to reduce your stress even more? Create a customized holiday budget with these helpful tips.

Tired of Driving in Circles? Check out These Parking Apps

Innovative smart phone apps are helping to solve a major headache for drivers: Finding a parking spot that’s available and affordable. Conversely, owners of parking spaces are renting out their in-demand real estate when they don’t need it or when they want to make extra money. The whole idea is a win-win, isn’t it? If done right, it can be.

 

Want to rent out a private driveway or garage space? A growing number of apps are making it easy to find a convenient and affordable place to park your wheels.

 

Parking Panda lets companies and individuals list a parking space for free. When someone makes a reservation, a 20% transaction fee is assessed. Drivers can search real-time listings in over 40 cities and save as much as 70% with Parking Panda. Renting a spot can be done daily or monthly, and spaces are guaranteed – even if a garage sells out.

Other parking apps doing it right

ParkWhiz: Using a prepaid booking system, parking owners are able to advertise their spaces, get exposure and earn money for the use of their spots. Drivers can search for open spaces by location in real-time. Prices, amenities and customer reviews are available.

 

JustPark: Owners can list a parking space with photos and a description. When it’s booked or there’s an inquiry, they receive an email and text message. Drivers can search by date, distance and type of parking to search from thousands of spots that can be rented for 30 minutes to a year.

 

SPOT: This new app, which launched this summer, allows owners to advertise spaces for free and choose a payment method. Drivers search by city to find available spots that can rent for an hour, day, week or month.

 

ParkMe: Geared towards companies and venues, ParkMe displays available parking options and uses its ParkMe Operator Dashboard to update rates, hours of operation and payment types. Drivers can filter by location, vehicle type and length of time. They may also reserve a spot two weeks in advance.

 

According to a 2013 survey conducted by the International Parking Institute, many people believe the future of parking is mobile parking apps. What do you think?