Want the same traffic updates on BMW in-car systems without actually buying a BMW? Now you can, with the Inrix Traffic app for the iPhone.
Covering 126 cities in the US, the software shows a map of your vicinity (using the onboard GPS), combined with a graphical visual of local traffic flow and road incidents. Information is pulled from various sources, including local traffic authorities, traffic probes, event schedules and accident reports. Like Waze, the app phones home, sending data on your speed and location to its servers, which are automatically taken into consideration as an additional variable for their traffic reports.
One feature Inrix offers that isn't available in other traffic systems is a forecasting function. Using historical information and local data, they can map out a prediction of possible traffic situations for up to one hour in advance, allowing you to plan your immediate road itinerary.
Simple and clean, the app is very easy to use and should be a permanent fixture for motorists still holding out on buying a full-featured GPS app for the iPhone. In case you're looking for a more robust GPS solution, though, the upcoming TomTom Navigator app for the handset will include data pulled directly from the Inrix servers, apart from turn-by-turn navigation.
Via GPS Lodge
The app seems to provide traffic updates pretty well. The forecasting feature is pretty cool.
I think the upcoming TomTom Navigator is something to look out for.