There are over 200,000 IPhone apps in the universe as I write this, so trying to reach up with ideas for 10 more is close to impossible. It has been shown that games are the most chosen types of apps, so I am going to try and move away from that at least in the beginning and try my hand at a little geolocation pinpoints.
BESTShops- It's Christmastime in the city and wouldn't it be chilly to be able to have an app that would find the best present for Aunt Millie, or your little nephew, Junior? You just put in the demographics and maybe an interest or two, the app comes up with a list of possible presents, closet shops to you to buy them, and their locations.
FindABIKE '” You are serious about going green so you not only need a bike, but you need to know where to use it, where to acquire accessories for it, what the laws are in your area, and the best ways to keep your bicycle theft free. This app locates all the bikes within a specified state status ( you specify) all the trails, cycle lanes, and sidewalk communities, and the laws that cover the community you specify- best of all it also computes the number of miles you put on your bike during each ride.
InSEASON-If you are a locovore (only eat foods produced within 100 miles of your home) you might be presented with lots of challenges if you live in a set of the country that contains four seasons. This app will help you locate local farmer's markets, CSA's, and other regional vendors. You will just put in the area and the information will appear. This app will also help you keep track of those places you have visited, which ones were the best, and what make, meats, or other products you bought.
ZEROWASTE '” This app is a game. You plug in your spot and ZERO (the character who will follow you wherever you go) keeps track of your carbon footprint. The app also has the location of all recycling centers for all types of materials, where the trails and lanes are for your biking and walking transport methods, farmers markets, bus stops and schedules, and local organizations that are helping citizens get to zero waste. You can either play the game for a day, a week, or a month. At the end you will be connected to others in your community who are playing the game too, and badges will be awarded.
AutoRap- You are driving down a lonely street at night and the motor goes out! You are not a member of Triple AAA, your car insurance doesn't provide repair, and frankly, you are out of luck. Except you have AutoRap! This app provides every provider within a designated zip code radius that will arrive and get you- and they are safety screened as well. At the same time you are calling for help, a aid up control alarm in the app is contacting a security firm that is attached to the program.
SWIMFIN '” All the lakes are frozen, and you are new to town. Toddle in your state and every in-house pool that get visitors will pop up. This app will also connect you to the community of swimmers in your designated radius- and keep track of miles you are swimming if swimming becomes a lifestyle. After so many miles badges for miles in the water are awarded. Perhaps you will become the next Master Fin!
TownTutor '” You might have a child who is having trouble with math, you might be having trouble with math yourself, or your mother might want to learn how to play golf. Whatever the need, a tutor in your town is as close as this app. A listing of skills and subjects is on the roll- you designate your area, and a listing of screened tutor's rolls up. A security firm is also a section of this program. We can never be too careful. If you want to list as a tutor in a specific field '”an application button is available- and a screening will take place.
Virtual Weight Loss '” Since this an article about apps that we wish there were I am going to dwelling this app far and above those that most people wish for. We breeze in our weight and a variety of exercise machines pop up! You sit and eat potato chips with heavy doses of French dip as you watch your avatar, named Beulah blend in 15 minutes each on every chosen exercise machine. As we do this the calories expended are added up and after a week or so it will probably be shown that we have lost an enormous amount of weight. How realistic is that?
TVSyn '” Wanna play a character in your favorite TV show? Have you ever wanted to be Mariska Hargitay on Law and Order SVU? Or Prince William on the latest news cycle? This app gives you the chance to be anyone you want to be- any celebrity, any political pundit, and any sports pro! It also places you in their shoes; literally, you set up a Celebrity avatar, and become a fashionista. If you are a Sports Pro, your stats and endorsements pop up. Political Pundit? Your mouth becomes your tool! And the ratings wars begin. This is mutter and complete fantasy with a bit of right stuff mixed in.
ZAP '” Ideal for the lazy traveler! This app enables anyone to just plug in a longed for location and be there! Perhaps, you are tired of scraping those icy windows on your car every morning, and would prefer to be living in sunny Florida! Zap! And you're there! Perhaps your community is full of conservative cheese heads and you would prefer a more liberal style.
Zap! And you are in San Francisco! Zap will take you there!
So, that's it- 10 Great Apps that would be cool to use on an IPHONE or maybe in Congress. It all honest depends on you- and how virtual you want the world to get!
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Filed under Car Insurance by on Feb 20th, 2011. Comment. 
There are approximately 7 billion people on planet earth.
What makes that intriguing and unique is there aren't two people amongst us who are identical. Whether it's a combination of looks, likes, dislikes, pet peeves, drink preferences, one or two ply or level of education. If you judge about it long enough it's pretty amazing. Kind of like trying to wrap your mind around “infinity”.
However, out of 7 billion people there is actually one thing that ties us all together. Not religion, not love, not family nor agreement on global warming.
7 billion people HATE the friggin' DMV.
From the Lamborghinis in L.A. to the Rickshaws in China, why do we have to go through these people to get permission to operate a vehicle? We can have 8 kids all at the same time with no manual on how to take care of them but somehow we're told none of us know how to use a steering wheel.
Yeah, I bag that driving is more than that but the DMV has it set up so you have this checklist of crap you have to do before turning the ignition on your heavy machinery. The pilot of a 747 has a shorter checklist flying to Japan than I do to drive to Walmart.
Check my tires before entering the vehicle, check my mirrors, ensure my seat belt is buckled, weep at my passenger to assign his or hers on in case I decide to test out my passenger side airbag, wear proper footwear, check for tiny children throwing Frisbees and make sure you have the valid level of petrol to get to where you're going so some tow truck driver doesn't have to come and save your ass.
Most importantly, however? Pay your registration fee. Remember, driving is a privilege, not a right.
Uh…no. It's a necessity. No driving, no getting to work. No getting to work, no site tax going into the kitty. No state tax going into the kitty, no education funds for our kids. No education funds for our kids, the schools pump out a bunch of morons who can't pass the driving test.
I lived in California for 42 years, 26 of which I'd been driving. I had nothing to compare motor vehicle requirements against until I got to North Carolina 18 months ago.
The first thing I noticed were the similarities. If you plan on getting a job working for the DMV then let me give you some sage advice.
First, fill out the 12 page application and wait 6 months while they do a background check in case you stole a pack of gum from a 7 Eleven when you were 12 because God forbid you might let someone out on the road who's stupid enough to hit every pedestrian they see in a crosswalk.
Now if you're lucky enough to get an interview, the next allotment of advice is very, very distinguished.
Go into the interview and act like a complete ass.
The more crabby you are the more points you get. Back talk to the interviewer, scribble illegibly, and be sure you show off your ability to let a stack of paperwork pile up next to you so you can prove you'll work on it while a potential driver stands waiting impatiently.
After the personality test comes the facial expression test. Stare. Just watch at someone and gape. Make sure the potential driver knows that you're in control and they're the idiot. Throw in a little stink eye and you'll successfully gain your waiting room, which holds a capacity of 834 people full quivering prisoners waiting for their number to get called 90 minutes later. That gives the driver enough time to pop a few Valium, go out for a beer and return with another half hour to spare.
Remember those two things and you're hired. Personality of someone who doesn't give a crap+Stink Eye=Employment.
Back to the impatient driver who's number was honest called. After all, they had that beer and now have to pee so awful they're dancing in front of your station. Going to relieve themselves then heading to the support of the line is suicide so they're about to say something but remember, you're in control. Your advice to them would be to hold it.
The Valium is the only thing keeping them from leaning over the counter, smacking the makeup off your face and throwing pencils until one sticks in your neck.
Anyway, so now I'm the one who's new here and I begin to witness the differences between the DMV in California and the DMV in North Carolina. They're about as similar as a cheetah and a lady bug.
In California they just want your money. They'll smog your car every other year to execute sure it's not toxic but that's it. Money+Smog=Good to go.
In North Carolina their motto is: “Not so fast, cowboy”.
The rumor is that North Carolina has one of the most difficult written tests in the union. Hearing this, I began to study. Behold! I can't beget I'm studying a 50 page booklet on how to drive. The more I read the more complicated things become.
First, you have to write a 10 page essay, double spaced, describing why you want to be a driver in the state of North Carolina. But you can't use the word “y'all”. No wonder it's so freakin' difficult for the people here. I had the upper hand since I haven't picked up that habit yet. I used the word “dude” 18 times in 10 pages but since that's a foreign language here, they tend to overlook it.
After your essay is submitted it's on to the next battery of tests. A round of Simon Says, a simulated DUI enactment and your ability to do the Hokey Pokey.
If you pass those tests then it's on to the next process. Paperwork. And an insane amount, at that.
You need your archaic driver's license, proof of insurance, a notarized letter stating a lien holder, pass a vehicle inspection where they make sure your windshield wipers work in case you encounter a swarm of mosquitoes that block your vision or rain that falls so hard you can't even see your dashboard. You need to sign a liability letter, a social security card and one more form of identification. I guess they need all of that to identify your body when you're hit by the guy who can't seem to miss pedestrians.
Once you have that, you're allowed to take the written test to get your license. So after studying, submitting my essay and performing all the physical fitness humiliation that makes me feel like a circus animal, I go to the office to get my precious, most coveted gift the state of North Carolina can give me.
First encounter was the bitch who looked like that wrinkled old lady in Monster's Inc. I lay all my paperwork on the counter. She does a swiftly, cursory glance then shoves the paperwork back my direction.
Wait a second. I busted my butt for weeks collecting all this stuff and now you don't even want to look at it? I felt like pushing the paperwork back to her, grabbing her head and shoving it down into the pile until she memorized my social security number.
Instead, I take my number and sit down. I glance at my watch, I witness up at the number screen and I decide I have enough time to pop some Valium, go get a beer, and gather back in time to take my test.
Unbiased as I'm getting up they call my number. Damn.
I go to the window I was assigned and sat in front of this lady who looked like someone just threw a shoe at her and she's ready to beat someones ass.
That would be me since I'm the closest. The other employees are sneaking behind her back hoping not to be noticed.
She asks me about 15 questions in a monotone voice then tells me to steal my test over at dwelling 7. It's all computerized now. No number 2 pencil with bubbles, no toilet paper thin retort sheet, just a nice computer with an easy to read test.
I hit the start button while my heart is pounding so loud it's annoying the 10 employees in the room. Sure wish I had that Valium and beer but I'm riding solo right now.
15 minutes later I finish the test which was 20 questions long. You can miss 4.
I missed 3.
WOO HOO! I felt like getting up and doing the happy dance but I was afraid that 10 pairs of stink eye would focus on me like lasers and fry me to a crisp in the testing room. So I quietly got up and sheepishly approached my lady friend.
Well, everything is computerized so she knew my secure before I got up. As I'm walking toward her she looks and me and says, “sit down” in her “I fancy my job” voice.
Next conclude, picture taking. Ick. I had let me hair grow out and when we were finished I looked like a complete redneck. On the bright side when I get pulled over I'll at least recognize like I belong here.
With that delicate experience behind me, license in hand, I go to register my car. All of my paperwork is in order and ready to go. The problem is they have a totally separate facility for registration. It's 5 miles across town.
(grunt)
So I drive all the way over there and surprisingly there's no line. I amble up to the window, confidently slap my paperwork on the counter and this lady decides she's going to go over it with a fine tooth comb after doing a cavity search.
“I can't accept this”, she says.
“WHAT”?
“Your spouse is on the title”.
“Yes”, I said, “but it says Randall OR Allison”.
“Sorry, but the state of North Carolina doesn't recognize the word “OR”".
You've got to be freakin' kidding me. They don't recognize the word “or”? Is that because they don't know what it means or because they're just making stuff up as they go along?
I ask what I have to do next and she said when my spouse shows up I need to re-start the paperwork process.
Pissed beyond belief, I grabbed my pile off the counter, put it in my bag and started to sight for a pencil.
It needs to be the sharpest I can find.
Filed under Car Insurance by on Jan 21st, 2011. Comment.
There are many incentives for people who have a hybrid or electric car. In Ohio the incentives include the Ohio Hybrid Tax Credit (bill): SB 32 (previously SB 107) would create a nonrefundable state tax credit for individuals who purchase a new hybrid vehicle. The income tax credit is $3,000 for new hybrid vehicles that conclude a combined EPA fuel economy rating of 40 or more mpg. The tax credit is $2,000 for original hybrid vehicles that achieve less than 40 mpg. Introduced 02/10/09 and referred to Ways and Means Committee and the Economic Development Committee.
There are also many federal incentives. These include;
Federal Plug-in Hybrid Tax Credit: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 modifies the credit for obedient plug-in electric drive vehicles purchased between 12/31/2009 and 12/31/2011. The minimum amount of the credit for qualified plug-in electric drive vehicles is $2,500 and the credit tops out at $7,500, depending on the battery capacity. To qualify, vehicles must be newly purchased, have four or more wheels, have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 14,000 lbs, and draw propulsion using a battery with at least four kilowatt hours that can be recharged from an external source of electricity. The rotund amount of the credit will be reduced with respect to a manufacturer's vehicles after the manufacturer has sold at least 200,000 vehicles. The credit will then phase out over a year.
Federal Plug-in Hybrid Conversion Tax Credit: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides a tax credit for plug-in electric drive conversion kits. The credit is equal to 10% of the cost of converting a vehicle to a qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicle and placed in service after Feb. 17, 2009. The maximum amount of the credit is $4,000. The credit does not apply to conversions made after Dec. 31, 2011. A taxpayer may claim this credit even if the taxpayer claimed a hybrid vehicle credit for the same vehicle in an earlier year. See the IRS website for more information on Alternative Motor Vehicle Credits.
Federal Hybrid HOV Waiver: On 03/10/06 the House of Representatives approved a $284 billion highway bill (H.R. 3) that included a waiver for states to be allowed to launch the HOV lanes to hybrid cars rated at least 45 miles per gallon. Senator Jim Talent's (R-MO) successfully introduced an amendment to the Senate highway bill that would give states the discretion to launch up their HOV lanes to hybrid vehicles that achieve at least a 50 percent increase in fuel efficiency in the city and a 25 percent increase in fuel efficiency in combined city-highway miles over the non-hybrid model, regardless of the number of passengers and as long as it meets any Tier 2 federal emissions standard. This allowed vehicles such as the Ford Escape Hybrid to qualify. President Bush signed H.R. 3 into law the week of 08/08/06. The EPA provided guidance on this law on 05/17/07, noting that hybrid vehicles that achieve at least a 50 percent increase in fuel efficiency in the city and a 25 percent increase in fuel efficiency in combined city-highway miles over the non-hybrid model, and met federal Tier 2, Bin 5 emissions standards would qualify for the exemption, but states can opt to toughen EPA's criteria, though may not reduce them. Details of the EPA guidance can be found here.
Federal Tax Credits for Advanced Vehicles: On 08/08/05, President Bush signed the comprehensive energy bill into law. Included were unusual tax credits for advanced vehicle technologies ranging from $250 to $3,400 depending on the vehicle's level of fuel economy improvement. For a limited time, quality hybrids like the Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Prius or Ford Escape Hybrid qualified for tax credits in the range of $1,700-$3,150. The tax credits were available from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2010, though they expired earlier for the most approved hybrids. The full tax credits are available until a manufacturer reaches 60,000 vehicles sold (60,000 for Toyota, 60,000 for Ford, etc.). Once a manufacturer has sold 60,000 vehicles, a one-year “phase out” will begin after the next complete calendar quarter; 50 percent of the credit will be available for that manufacturer's hybrids in the first two quarters of the phaseout period and 25 percent in the final two quarters.
Update: Toyota, Honda, and Ford have met the 60,000 sales threshold. Federal tax credits are no longer available on hybrid vehicles from these automakers. An IRS list of the currently available tax credits for the 2010 and 2011 models of BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Mercedes, Mercury, and Nissan hybrids can be found here. Not yet listed on the IRS website is the tax credit for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid that will go on sale in mid-December. It will qualify for a $1,300 federal tax credit, however the credit expires on 12/31/10.
Hybrid HOV (bill): HB1634 would extend the period for which states may allow low emission and energy efficient vehicles to use high occupancy vehicle facilities from 09/30/09 to 07/01/12. The bill was introduced 03/19/09 and was referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit 03/20/09.
Auto Insurance Option for “Hybrid Upgrade”: Fireman's Fund Insurance company is offering a “hybrid upgrade” as part of their Prestige Auto Premier policy. The upgrade allows owners to upgrade to a hybrid model during the first three model-years in the event of a total loss. This policy is only available in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland and Texas. For more information, visit their web site.
Insurance discount for hybrids (private): Hartford-based Travelers personal lines is offering nationwide a 10 percent discount on auto insurance to customers driving hybrid-electric models. The discount of up to 10 percent applies only to certain coverage's and may not be available in all states. The discount is currently available in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Insurance discount for hybrids (private): Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance Group of Companies is offering a 10 percent discount on auto insurance to customers who own a hybrid-electric or alternative fuel vehicle. The discount of up to 10 percent applies to all major coverage's and is currently available in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Recent Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. All new business customers receive the discount as of the unique business date, and existing customers receive the discount upon renewal.
Hotel Discounts for Hybrid Drivers (private): A number of hotels are offering discounted or free parking and special room rates to customers who own or rent a hybrid. Guests driving hybrid cars park free at the 60 Renaissance Hotels & Resorts properties across the U.S. Kimpton Hotels offers special promotions for hybrid drivers—up to $20 off rooms, half-price parking, or both—at its properties in Boston, Washington, D.C., Portland and other cities. Additional hotels in California, including the Fairmont hotel chain, the Argent Hotel in San Francisco and the Exiguous River Inn near Mendocino provide similar perks.
Electric Drive Vehicle Deployment Act, Electric Vehicle Deployment Act, Promoting Electric Vehicles Act (bill): H.R. 5442/S. 3442/S. 3511 would increase incentives for purchasers of electric drive vehicles. It would continue to give purchasers of electric vehicles the tax credit of up to $7,500 as well as up to an additional $2,500 to offset the cost of the vehicle, home charging equipment, parking, or other fees. These bills were referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 05/27/10 and 06/18/10.
Tax Credit for Alternative Motor Vehicles (bill): H.R. 4990 would amend the Internal Revenue Code to extend the [alternative motor vehicle] tax credit for hybrids and diesels through 12/31/12 and increase the maximum potential amount of such credit to $4,000, up from $3,400 and an expiration at the end of 2010. It would also increase the number of vehicles qualified to receive the credit to 75,000. In addition, it would limit the tax credit to taxpayers whose individual adjusted despicable income does not exceed $100,000 ($200,000 for a joint return). Introduced 03/25/10 and referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
Domestic hybrid extended tax credit (bill): Congressman Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) has introduced H.R. 4458, the 'American Hybrid Tax Credit Act of 2005.' The bill would give an additional $3,000 tax credit over and above the currently enacted federal tax credits for “a new qualified hybrid motor vehicle which is assembled in the United States.” The total tax credit would be capped at $6,000. This would currently apply to the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner. Models expected to be released in 2006 that would qualify for this extended credit would be the Toyota Camry Hybrid (built in Kentucky) and the Nissan Altima Hybrid (built in Tennessee). Referred to the Ways and Means Committee 12/7/05. This bill was not voted on in the 109th Congress, and was not enacted.
Lifting the 60,000 cap on the hybrid tax credit (bill): Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), and Sam Brownback (R-KS) introduced a tall bill (S. 2025) that would engage the cap on hybrid tax credits as part of a package to reduce domestic oil usage. Representative Jack Kingston (R-SC) and Elliot Engle (D-NY) introduced a similar bill (H.R. 4409) in the House. Representative Chris Shays (R-CT) introduced a broad ranging energy bill (H.R. 4384) that in addition to several incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency across all energy sectors would buy the cap on hybrid tax credits. This bill was not voted on in the 109th Congress, and was not enacted.
Federal Tax Deduction (expired): H.R. 1308 Sec. 319 Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004
There was a one-time tax-deduction for clean vehicles from 2003-2006.
2004-2005–$2000.00 deduction
Eligibility for this deduction expired on 01/01/06, and was replaced by the federal tax credit for advanced vehicles. Vehicles purchased in 2005 are still eligible for this deduction on 2005 tax forms. Claim information can be found here.
Reference:
http://go.ucsusa.org/hybridcenter/incentives.cfm#top
Filed under Car Insurance by on Dec 18th, 2010. Comment.
