iExit Interstate Exit Guide helps take the guesswork out of road trip pit stops, by identifying what restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and other services are available at each exit by name. Make a selection, and the smart-phone application gives the option of turn-by-turn directions or calling ahead to a business with one touch.

The Waze app packs a lot of information in at an enticing price—free. It combines turn-by-turn navigation, traffic delay information (with causes and backup lengths), locations of radar traps, and the ability for users to socialize their location, mood, and on-the-road observations with other Wazeophiles. But that's the problem.

With gasoline prices averaging close to $4.00 per gallon nationwide, a free app promising the best fuel prices wherever you are would seem like a valued travel aid. And that's just what GasBuddy is.

Suzuki and Garmin have teamed up to launch the automaker's first fully integrated, factory-installed navigation and infotainment system.

Navigon is adding new features to its smart-phone navigation apps for Android and iPhone, continuing the rapid software evolution. This spring, iPhone users will be able to view a street-level image of their destination once it is calculated. Android users will gain more features already available on the iPhone, such as active lane assistance, Bluetooth support, and an onscreen traffic gauge. An exclusive for Android, this imminent update will add a widget for displaying nav info on the phone’s home page.

Today, Garmin announced new social features for its StreetPilot onDemand subscription-based navigation app at Macworld | iWorld 2012 in San Francisco. The iPhone application also gains new voices, icons, and revised 3D rendering.

Mavia is a small box with GPS receiver and 3G-nework cellular access that plugs into your vehicle’s OBD-II port, a connector found in every 1996 and newer vehicle. The OBD-II port can access information about your vehicle such as trouble codes (to interpret that dreaded check engine light), vehicle speed, and mileage. Mavia can access this data and send it to the Internet. So what? Well, a lot can be done with this information.

Sony displayed two aftermarket A/V car receivers at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that not only control your smartphone, but they can become your smartphone. The new XAV-601BT and XAV-701HD stereos feature large touch screens that can look and function just like your phone, allowing some or all of the functionality on a larger screen that is easier to access.

Audi brought some interior bits from the upcoming A3 redesign to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. While the console, dash, and other pieces on exhibit don’t give any hints of what the exterior of the redesigned compact will look like, the display makes a dandy way to show some new features coming to Audi Connect.

Navigation data provider Telenav launched a new app called Scout at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that is designed to provide personalized navigation, entertainment, and convenience features across different platforms, including a smart phone, the car, or a personal computer.

Joining the ranks of carmakers offering an ever-increasing range of telematics services, Kia’s new e-Services launched at CES leverages a user’s smart phone connection à la Ford SYNC to provide a suite of navigation, diagnostics, safety, and convenience features.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a revamped version of its mbrace telematics system, with additional features and services, enhanced smart phone-based remote access, and the ability for users to make cloud-based updates as they become available.

TomTom and Fisker Automotive have inked a deal making the GPS device maker the exclusive provider of built in navigation for the new Karma luxury sedan for three years.

At the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas today, TomTom introduced three new model lines of GPS navigators. The new line-up of personal navigation devices are designed to simplify consumer choices—especially with the exploding growth of smart phones with GPS capabilities and wireless connections.

The latest version Ford’s free SYNC Destinations app for cell phones will let SYNC Services subscribers send directions remotely to their vehicle from their smart phone using SYNC AppLink. Previously, users could only send directions to their car from a desktop computer or laptop.