Automate your Android phone in the car with NFC, Bluetooth

Here's everything you'll need to automate your phone in the car.

(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)

A few weeks ago, Garmin released a car kit that uses NFC to automatically launch the Navigon navigation app when a compatible smartphone is placed within its arms. Being an Android fan and a tinkerer at heart, my first thought was, “I could DIY something better than that,” and now I’m going to show you how.

You’ll need:

• An NFC compatible Android phone. I’m using the LG Nexus 4, but check your specs to make sure that your personal handset is compatible with the technology.
• An app that can receive instructions from NFC. I’m using Trigger — the app formerly known as NFC Task Launcher.
• An NFC tag. You can find them for cheap online, but I’m going to be reusing an old transit pass. If you have one lying around, give it a try and you may save a few bucks.
• Some sort of car cradle. I’ve got dozens of these lying around my desk, but any suction cup or adhesive mount tha… [Read more]
  

  
  
  

  
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