Let your car describe its symptoms directly to the mechanic with Openbay Connect

By Alexander Kalogianni April 10, 2015

Openbay Connect — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Smartphones are connecting us to our cars in fantastic ways, but all the remote start apps and horn honking doesn’t let us take car of our vehicles better. Thankfully, companies like Openbay make it easy to get your car the help and maintenance it needs with its new app, Openbay Connect.

Openbay is a company that allows people to find, book and pay for auto repair in their area. It maintains a network of professionals and, after submitting the car service issue that needs addressing, Openbay reaches out to mechanics on the client’s behalf. From there, the car owner gets a list of ranked offers, from which they can choose and book the service in question.

Openbay Connect — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Its sort of like GrubHub for your car, only it’s for ordering oil changes, not cheesesteak sandwiches. Of particular interest is how Openbay Connect expands this with by getting the car’s direct input on the matter. A device (provided by Openbay) plugs into the OBD II diagnostic port and communicates with your phone directly via a cellular signal. If there’s a problem, your phone is immediately alerted with specific information about what the car’s monitoring sensors have noticed.

If it sounds familiar, Automatic has a similar device that’s garnered a lot of attention over the past year. While that too provides car health info, what Openbay Connect does over this is use it in conjunction with its repair booking system. Now, not only does it tell you whats wrong with the car, the app lets you know who nearby can fix it.

Openbay Connect will be available this spring to a select user base, which it will choose through its current users and partners. Anyone interested can go to the company’s website and apply to access if this sounds like something they want to get in on.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Tech News

Alexander Kalogianni

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Alex K is an automotive writer based in New York. When not at his keyboard or behind the wheel of a car, Alex spends a lot of…

Cars

Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?

Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.

Cars

The 6 best remote car starters in 2024

Best car remote starters

While some modern vehicles come standard with remote start features, it's still relatively uncommon. That's a shame because if you live somewhere where cold weather, snow, and ice are frequent concerns, a remote car starter is one of the best auto accessories you can have. If you're not familiar with them, a remote car starter works similarly to a key fob, except it will actually start your car from a distance instead of just unlocking the doors or trunk. That means you can start your car from the warm comfort of your home or office before venturing out. If you live somewhere hot, you can even start your car and let the AC run for a little bit. You'll never enter a freezing cold or scorching hot vehicle again.

The best remote car starters have long ranges, replaceable batteries, and other handy features — but how do you know which is best for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best car starters in a range of prices and features. Keep in mind that while you can install some yourself, some will require a professional.
The best remote car starters in 2024

Cars

The best portable jump starters for cars in 2024

The Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 portable jump starter connected to a truck battery.

Any time you hit the road, whether you're taking a short or long trip, it's a good idea to have backups handy. A spare or backup tire, some anti-freeze, windshield wash fluid, a road hazard kit, and, last but not least, one of the best portable tire inflators and a portable jump starter. You never know when cold weather, inadvertently leaving the dome light on, or plain old Father Time can curse you with a dead battery. Ensure you have one of the best portable jump starters that can save you in a jam, kickstarting your car even when there isn't anyone around to jump the battery. Naturally, that's why we’ve rounded up what we feel are the best portable jump starters for 2024.
The best portable jump starters in 2024

Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter overall.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter runner-up.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter and tire inflator combo.
Buy the if you want another name-brand option.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter for cheap.