CaroO, a dash cam app with MPG gauge for $4.50! :D
 

As I drove to Mom's house, the "maiden voyage" of my wheel covers (http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...aps-30157.html), I wondered if there were any dash-cam apps. Some standalone devices have GPS to show your speed and other information. Some can connect to your OBD-II port. I found CaroO Pro (Blackbox & OBD), "Market leading dash cam with eco-driving support!" It also connects to a OBD-II dongle and shows car information! This screen shot does not show it, but you are supposed to be able to see MPG information.
http://cdn.makeuseof.com/wp-content/...DII-Screen.jpg

The link isn't working. What is the name of the app? Sounds very interesting.

Does the app do looped recording, meaning when the SD card is full, it erases the oldest file so it can continue recording?

EDIT: I didn't realize the name of the app was in the title.

Amazing how many devices are being replaced by the "phone" these days.

Dash cam
Fuel efficiency gauge
GPS
Sound recorder
Time
Alarm clock
Calculator
OBD2 Reader
Flashlight
Memo
Calendar
Computer
Portable game system
Webcam
Camera
Camcorder
Books
Maps
Newspaper
MP3 player
Portable video player
Etc, etc

These are just a few things totaling several thousand dollars that can be replaced with a phone now. I bought a brand new smart phone for Mom for $10 at Target, and it's capable of everything listed above. Oh yeah, you can use it to call people too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N68_cp1vEFs

I fixed it! :)

I planned on updating the original post. The URL function just showed the address and when I tried to get it to show "CaroO Pro (Blackbox & OBD)" I did it backwards, so it showed the address, but tried to send you to an invalid URL.

CaroO Pro (Blackbox & OBD)

Ten dollars for prepaid? This is the least expensive one that I found. It and some non-smart phones are temporarily discounted.

Virgin Kyocera Event Prepaid Cell Phone - Black : Target

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...s.dash.android looks like it has more functions, it rates your driving, I wonder what I would think of that. It shows you local gas stations, directing you to the cheapest, and gives you the name for the check engine light, not just the code, and gives you shop estimates.

Of course, I would probably do it myself... :)

http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Bluetooth-diagnostics-Android/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412550529&sr=8-1&keywords=obd+bluetooth is the best-selling OBD-II dongle and it has the best rating. This is the least-expensive one that I saw, $6.35 with free shipping: Amazon.com: V1.5 Super Mini ELM327 Bluetooth OBD2 OBD-II CAN-BUS Diagnostic Scanner Tool: Everything Else

This looks like a good mount: http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Smartphone-Windshield-Dashboard-Driving/dp/B00JUFIRYM/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1412552216&sr=8-15&keywords=smart+phone+car+mount

redpoint -- How many minutes of talk time on that $10 phone? I went in to T-Mobile to put some minutes on my Nokia candy-bar (it's got a color screen!) and they would only sell me unlimited minutes that expire at 30 days. I wanted (and used to be able to purchase) 30 minutes that never expire.

Soon you will be able to add some new items to your list. When Trezor (an hardware wallet) ships, secure online payment will become possible. And maybe roll back the regressive mayhem that Al Gore unleashed on [the] original Internet.

Also Qualcom is shipping a new chip that enables D2D mesh networking over LTE. So things like Firechat will work with more than just the person standing next to you. Like—500 meters.

You can use Torque to do the same thing. Looks like this app might be a little more user friendly, while Torque lets you do just about anything (as long as you can figure out how).

It looks like you can use Torque as a dash cam if you plug in https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...recorder&hl=en, but there is not much information on it.

ScanTool.net LLC - OBDLink LX Bluetooth Scan Tool | OBD Adapter - ScanTool.net is the least expensive dongle they recommend, it is currently $70. They say to make sure that sellers of cheap Chinese ones have a good return policy.

Speaking of OBD2 dongles, I got this one from Amazon for $13. Seems to work just fine.

Amazon.com: iSaddle Super Mini ELM327 V1.5 OBD2 OBD-II Bluetooth CAN-BUS Auto Diagnostic Tool for Windows & Android Torque (Blue Color): Automotive

The $10 phone I bought Mom is a Boost Kyocera Hydro. It's only supposed to be able to activate on Boost, but I'm paying $10/mo for 400min, 400 txt, 300MB data on Ringplus (Sprint network).

My wife has a Moto X on Republic Wireless (Sprint network) and we pay $30/mo for unlimited talk, text, data.

If you hardly use your phone, Ringplus has plans as low as $2/mo that include 50min of talk time and 10 texts.

I have an iPhone 4 which I mostly hate, and work is paying about $70/mo on AT&T.

Google makes Ringplus sound awesome:

Next time I find that Nokia I'll check the MEID / ESN to see if it's useable.

Edit: Deal-breaker

My cell phone mount and OBD-II dongle arrived and I downloaded Dash - Drive Smart, so I will set up those tomorrow. I also received Amazon.com: Allstar ALL22400 Black 0.07" Thick 24" Wide 10\' Plastic Roll: Automotive, so I will be redoing my air dam, as well as my wheel covers.

I also need to find a job!

P.T. test on Sunday...