Mojio Launches Apps And Services Marketplace For Its Connected Car Platform

Mojio, a connected car platform based around a small, Internet-connected device you plug into your car’s OBD port, is launching an app and services store for its platform today. The new Mojio Drive will feature 20 apps and services that range from apps that can connect your car to a local garage to a service that measures your driving habits and then shares that info with insurance agencies to (hopefully) get you a better rate.

Unlike some of its competitors like Automatic, Mojio’s device features a built-in wireless connection, so it can work even without your phone. The company has made deals with AT&T, Telus and Deutsche Telekom to make this work. Because of this, Mojio’s service is only available by subscription ($4.99 per month in the U.S. and $6.99 per month in Canada after the first year). The basic device, which also features a GPS unit, costs $149 (or $169 in Canada).

iPad-drive“There are at least as many connected car use cases as there are app developers, and so an open platform for building apps is essential to giving people what they want,” said Mojio CEO Jay Giraud.

“With more than 800 developers using Mojio’s open platform creating apps and services that span the entire automotive market – from vehicle maintenance apps to data-driven auto insurance services – Mojio is at the forefront of the connected car economy enabling drivers to save hundreds of dollars per year.”

Apps included in the market include Gauge for Android, iOS and Apple Watch, a service that gives you maintenance reminders and helps you diagnose issues with your car, Cloak for tracking your car when it’s stolen, and RepairLync, a service that connects your car with nearby repair shops.

Mojio has long argued that its advantage over other platforms is its open developer ecosystem. It’s worth noting, though, that services like Automatic now also connect your car to a number of apps and services, too. Unlike these services, however, Mojio works even when your smartphone is not in the car. Whether that’s really a selling point, though, remains to be seen. Most drivers, after all, generally have their phones with them.