Dashboard Spotlight: 2014 Nissan Leaf [Pictures]

We are starting a new line of featured posts called Dashboard Spotlight. In such posts we will feature images of dashboards from one of the cars on the road today or sometime soon in the future.

This is our first Dashboard Spotlight and the car in focus today is the 2014 Nissan Leaf*. Check out the technology-filled dashboard of the Leaf in the images below.

AppRadio Mode Unstable In iOS 8 Beta, Bluetooth Streaming Works

The first iOS 8 beta has been available from Apple to developers for a few days now. With more people installing the software on their iPhones, more news regarding AppRadio Mode keeps coming out. Today we've learned about the initial issues that exist with the beta software.

Mind you, since iOS 8 is still a very early beta, issues like these aren't uncommon at all. Also, not everyone experiences the same issues.

The following issues were found when connecting an iPhone 5 running iOS 8 to an AppRadio 3 (SPH-DA210)...

Automatic For Android Updated To Version 1.0 With New Features

Automatic Smart Driving Assistant is an OBD-II device that connects to your smartphone giving you access to vehicle diagnostic information like error codes. Manufacturers have announced an update for the Android version of the smartphone app with new added features. Here's the complete scoop...

General Motors Recalls Another 105,500 Vehicles

General Motors is at it again. Just two days after axing 15 employees over a botched recall, the automaker has announced a fresh recall of about 105,500 vehicles in two actions. This is their 34th recall this year and the total number of cars affected is 15.9 million.

Friday's recall is for the following two defects...

Never Back Into Thrash Cans Again With The Pioneer ND-BC6 Rear View Camera [Video]

Backup cameras will become mandatory on all vehicles in the United States by May 2018. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a simple backup camera may help reduce backing up accidents which result in nearly 210 deaths every year.

By the time the law goes into effect, all automakers will make the backup feature standard in their vehicles. But between now and then you can equip your vehicle with a backup camera if you own one of Pioneer's compatible head units (AppRadio 3, NEX Receivers, 2014 Audio Video and Navigation units).

The 2014 version of the ND-BC6 rear view camera is compact, has wide viewing angles and relatively easy to install. Watch this feature/review video from "Lessco Electronics" (YouTube)...

Get The Pioneer CD-IU52 USB To Lightning Cable For $25 [Amazon Deals]

Pioneer now sells their own lightning cable. The CD-IU52 cable (USB to lightning) is like any other lightning cable but looks sturdy, is black in color, and thick.

The cable is 1.80 ft in length and has a suggested retail price of $35 according to Pioneer. But you can get the cable for much lower from Amazon and other retailers.

"Hey, Siri" In iOS 8 Will Only Work When Device Is Plugged In

UPDATE: Read our latest "Hey Siri" post posted on 9/18/2014.

Contrary to what we posted a few days ago, Siri in iOS 8 won't always get activated when you say the phrase "Hey Siri." For voice activation to work you will need to have your iDevice plugged in to a power source.

General Motors Fires 15 Employees Over Botched Ignition Switch Recall

At least 13 people died due to a faulty ignition switch in vehicles manufactured by General Motors over the last few years. However, a Reuters analysis using the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) had estimated the number to be much higher - 74. It took GM over 10 years to issue a recall after it first learned of the issue.

Siri Goes Handsfree In iOS 8 With The Trigger Phrase "Hey, Siri"

Yesterday's keynote by Apple at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 14, was all about iOS 8, OS X Yosemite, and even new programming language called "Swift." There were plenty of new announcements but not so many that would get car tech enthusiasts' attention.

There was, however, one piece of information that was just mentioned as a passing comment that got me interested and that's got to do with Siri. Apple announced that Siri will go handsfree in iOS 8.

WWDC 14 Kicks Off In A Few Hours, iOS 8 Announcement Coming

Apple will kick off WWDC 14 in just a few more hours with a hallmark keynote address. Big announcements are expected from San Francisco including iOS 8 and OS X 10.10 which is rumored to be called Yosemite. It is unlikely that new iPhones will be announced but you never know.

For car enthusiasts, all eyes will be on whether any more announcements pertaining to CarPlay are made. There's no doubt that iOS 8 will play nice with CarPlay but how will it do with AppRadio Mode? Will there be new challenges or will it fit in without issues?