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In terms of Lexus' marketing purposes, it is the first automotive advertiser to employ brand-specific color schemes in Draw Something. Players will also be awarded in-game coins if they virtually draw Lexus-oriented items. And many of the drawings created on the mobile app will be uploaded onto the Draw Something Facebook page, where users will have a chance at being featured as the "Lexus Stunning Doodle of the Day." The "Stunning Doodle" theme appears in the mobile ads that will be served up to Draw Something users on iPhones, iPads and Android devices during the next several days.

"Austin, Texas-based rental car service Silvercar will offer streamlined operations, a seamless smartphone user interface, and only one type of vehicle: silver 2013 Audi A4s. Customers can book reservations through a smartphone app, which will also let them manage personalized vehicle settings and preferences. They will be able to choose and unlock their rental car by scanning it with their phone."

The company now boasts 175 million registered users. According to Pandora: Listener hours for Pandora during the month of December 2012 were 1.39 billion, an increase of 54% from 906 million during the same period last year. Share of total U.S. radio listening for Pandora in December 2012 was 7.19%, an increase from 4.71% at the same time last year. Active listeners were 67.1 million at the end of December 2012, an increase of 41% from 47.6 million during the same time period last year.

Automatic, a driving assistant app, monitors users' habits to help save on gas and ensure a smooth ride for each trip. It uses Automatic Link, a device that plugs into your car's data port to access the auto's onboard computer.

Called Smileage, the app syncs with Google+ so others can monitor particular trips, and draw in data, comments on photos from all the phones which are synced with the car during any given journey. Users are awarded Smileage points for completing certain tasks, such as uploading photos. Even passing other VW's count, as the app creates a little 'punch' every one is passed on the road.

Here's a video about Smileage: http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/volkswagen-smileage-social-road-trips-powered-by-google/

"in-car infotainment system" that aggregates services like Pandora and Open Table. 

 Volkswagen's Start-Stop engine technology, through a Google Chrome Store App, using facial recognition technology to detect when someone looks at or away from the screen. This is linked through the app to YouTube, so that any video you are watching automatically pauses if you look away from the screen! 

Mercedes will begin to place QR codes onto all of their cars, which will provide all necessary information to rescue injured occupants from any model. This new QR code system will give firefighters, paramedics, and police the details they need to know to help passengers, including the location of airbags, gas tanks, and electric cables. These QR codes will be placed on the gas tank flap and another will be placed on the opposite side of the car.

 Mapkin is a new platform that lets friends send each other personalized directions, with custom instructions and voice recordings. Once users have created a route from one point to another, they can begin to add elements along the way. Choosing from a list of popular stop-off points or creating their own, they can include points of interest such as restaurants, gas stations and parking spaces. Mapkin enables users to also add their own comments along the way - directing friends to avoid a particular junction or simply making instructions clearer or more fun. To replace the limited selection available with standard GPS navigation devices, directions can be complemented with users' own voice recordings. Maps can then be saved and shared with friends over email, SMS or social networks.

We've seen numerous mobile apps designed to improve drivers' safety on the road, but Automatic takes what may well be the most comprehensive approach to date. With the help of a small device that plugs into the car, the Automatic app monitors that car's health, makes money-saving driving tips, remembers where the car is parked and more. Users begin by plugging the Automatic Link device into their car's data port; it supports every gasoline-engine car made since 1996, its San Francisco-based maker says. Once that's done, the car and smartphone will automatically connect wirelessly whenever the user takes a trip. Among the services Automatic provides along the way are driving suggestions for better fuel efficiency, trip timelines including miles per gallon, and automatic crash detection as well as sending alerts to 911 and loved ones. Also available are engine-health monitoring and parking reminders. Pricing is USD 69.95. The video below explains the premise in more detail:

Another cool YouTube play from Volkswagen, with this 'Hidden Frame' being used to promote their new side assist feature. The Ad utilises a standard YouTube feature, which is the 'frame view' when you mouse over the timeline… This isn't extremely innovative, but it's a pretty smart and fun way to get the message across.