6 cool car devices and driving apps for the ultimate commute
When I lived outside of the city and had a car, the commute into work was always close to unbearable. I couldn't reach anything in the backseat, I always made a mess of my breakfast and worst of all, I couldn't touch my phone.
Over time, I learned some tricks to make the car ride more bearable. I put my phone in the sun visor for hands free calling, used straws in my coffee so not to spill, and played the radio once in a while for variety from my Spotify playlist. I also learned that smart devices and apps made all the difference — here's six to help you too.
Apple Watch and Satechi mount
Smartphones can be a distraction while you're driving and the Apple Watch can give you a smaller screen with less moving parts — Satechi realized this and made a $7.99 grip mount to put on your steering wheel. Now, you can access your Apple Watch hands free while looking at your map, changing music or checking messages at a glance.
Buy on Amazon or Best Buy.
▲Waze
iStock
Waze is by far the most helpful traffic and map app I've used. Not only does it alert you of ongoing traffic conditions, but also communicates to you about police, crashes and parking spots. The app is free, and more useful than Google Maps or Apple Maps, but its design is also cuter and more informational.
▲Owl Car Cam
GearBrain
Owl is a security device, watching both the inside and outside of you car, with an HD camera that lets someone outside of the car, watch a live video feed, and even talk with you, while you're driving. You get a year of free video storage with the $349 Owl Car Cam. Think of Owl as a way to protect the car — and you.
Buy on Amazon
▲Automatic Connected Car
Automatic
The Automatic Connected Car connects to your car with an adapter and monitors your driving habits by accessing your car's on-board computer and connects it to the cloud. The Automatic Lite is around $80 and has trip logging, business tagging, engine light diagnostics, Bluetooth syncing and more. For another $50, you can get the Pro which also has unlimited 3G syncing, crash alert, live vehicle tracking and more.
You won't ever need to guess what's wrong with your car again or struggle over getting proof for insurance
companies. Buy on Amazon or Best Buy for $109.99
▲Raven
GearBrain
Raven is a security device for your car — and a great option for those who park their vehicles on the street, or even in a secure lot. You can track your car's health, location, its performance and get alerts on your smartphone, even while you're in the office or at school with the $299 Raven. There's also navigation built in to the device as well.
Buy Raven on Amazon
▲econoLED car humidifier
econoLED
This last device is a pure extra, not a luxury buy, but something that's really makes the car ride feel better. The econoLED Car Humidifier helps purify your car's interior if you're in a traffic jam, humidifies to stop the heat from drying you out, and includes aromatherapy to get rid of the smell from that pizza you picked up last night. The $14.99 device has an easy power switch and rotates 180 degrees to cover all passengers.
