Griffin outs CarTrip auto accessory for iOS

Griffin Technology has outed its new CarTrip automotive accessory for iOS devices. Combining an accessory with a dedicated app is the CarTrip, a Bluetooth monitor that plugs into an automobile’s OBD-II port, allowing for the reporting and recording of data from the car’s on-board computer. When used with the companion CleanDrive app, users can monitor the car’s performance, including metrics like fuel consumption, acceleration, and top speed, and can also see diagnostic codes sent by the computer, allowing for troubleshooting of indicator lights. Other features include an SD card slot for additional data storage and a “Carbon Score” display inside the app that gives drivers an easy-to-understand readout of how their driving habits are affecting their vehicle’s environmental impact. CarTrip will be available in the first quarter of 2011 and will sell for $90; CleanDrive will also be available in Q1 and will be a free download from the App Store.