This little guy's days are numbered
In-car technology has been steadily improving, with the likes of Apple CarPlayand Android Auto paving the way for those who appreciate a dashboard full of gadgets and goodies. Not all of us are lucky enough to have cars with these options, however.
So, what's a driver of a "dumb" car to do? We've compiled a list of 10 apps that will bring even the most battered and dated of cars up to 21st century standards.
TomTom
Once, a bulky Sat Nav (or GPS) unit was your only option if you wanted a gadget to guide you to your destination. Now, the likes of TomTom and Garmin offer apps, saving you from carrying yet another object around with you.
Available for various regions on both iOS and Android, TomTom is not the cheapest of solutions, requiring both an initial $24.99 (about £16, AU$35) one-off payment and a yearly subscription. But it provides you with clear offline maps, voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation, as well as live traffic updates.
Giving it the edge over free solutions such as Google Maps, TomTom offers speed camera warnings, giving you a heads up when it comes to upcoming speed traps. Its interface is also comparatively clutter-free, making it much easier to glance at while driving.
Waze
For a slightly less intuitive, but entirely free, Sat Nav solution, Waze can't be beat. Offering community-driven features, it encourages crowd sourcing as a means to keep you informed of accidents, police traps, and traffic jams in your local area.
On top of that, it provides turn-by-turn voice navigation, automatic rerouting and the ability to send your ETA to your friends, so they know you're on the way. The option to add and view information on local sights and businesses is convenient for those new to an area also.
Don't expect Waze to be as easy to use as something like TomTom. But, with a little brain retraining, it's a convenient, affordable alternative.
Carcorder
Dashcams are increasingly popular accessories for cars. Being able to record your journeys means you have concrete evidence in case of an accident, but it also means you can capture some fantastic footage as so many Russian dashcams have over the years.
Carcorder and a dashboard mount turns your iPhone into a capable dashcam, allowing you to switch between multiple resolutions, track your location, and know when you're driving too fast. It's not as comprehensive as a dedicated unit, but for only $1.99 (£1.49, AU$2.49), it's an excellent starting place.
Carcorder
Dashcams are increasingly popular accessories for cars. Being able to record your journeys means you have concrete evidence in case of an accident, but it also means you can capture some fantastic footage as so many Russian dashcams have over the years.
Carcorder and a dashboard mount turns your iPhone into a capable dashcam, allowing you to switch between multiple resolutions, track your location, and know when you're driving too fast. It's not as comprehensive as a dedicated unit, but for only $1.99 (£1.49, AU$2.49), it's an excellent starting place.
iCarMode
Allowing you to use your dashboard mounted iPhone safely, for $1.99 (about £1.31, AU$2.84) iCarMode offers up a big buttoned display, making it simple for you to activate a music player, call your friends, and check for places nearby.
Custom app shortcuts support apps such as Spotify, Audible, and TuneIn Radio, saving you from having to look at overly small buttons every time you want to make an adjustment on your trip. A night mode means it'll fit into the aesthetics of your car too.
For older cars, it's an ideal substitute for built-in dashboard systems that more recent cars offer.