9 Free Apps That'll Help You Reach (and keep) Your New Year's Resolutions

Ready or not, the new year's here. And if you're like everyone else around you right now, you're coming up with some pretty ambitious resolutions. That's awesome. Also probably a little bit scary. Sure, it's easy to say you're going to get more organized — but how are you actually going to do that?

While I can't volunteer to follow you around for the year to keep you on track (nor do I think you would want me to), I can introduce you to nine free apps that'll provide you a few shortcuts and get you closer to accomplishing your goals.

1. If your resolution is to learn more

Build your knowledge in minutes a day with the Curiosity app. Watch hand-picked videos on five fascinating topics, or if you're really pressed for time, just peek at the key facts and infographics to learn something new in seconds. Of course, this won't replace a taking a class, but it will expand your horizons and make you feel much more informed and up-to-date.

2. If your resolution is to save more

Stop wondering where your money goes and plan for your financial future with Mvelopes. This app uses the concept of "spending envelopes" to track your spending and create a plan for your income. To make your life as easy as possible, it syncs with your bank securely and seamlessly. Oh, and once you're set up, you can see in just seconds the funds you have left in each virtual envelope for your customized budget categories.

3. If your resolution is to relax more

It's crazy that we have to carve out time to relax these days, but we do. And Headspace is just the app to help you get there. It offers guided and unguided mediations lasting anywhere from two to 60 minutes. Plus, it sends you reminders to make sure you don't forget to take that break. And even better, it offers digital rewards if you make chilling out a regular habit.

4. If your resolution is to break a bad habit

Is your problem that you spend hours at work browsing YouTube videos, letting emails pile up in your inbox, or drinking coffee all day, every day? No judgment here. Personally, I'm fueled by Diet Coke. But HabitRPG can help you get your vices under control and have fun doing it. Like the name suggests, it's a role-playing game. But, instead of zapping bad guys for no reason, you play by living up to your promises — or slipping back into old habits. You can earn points and rewards for overcoming temptations, compete against your friends in willpower battles, or join a guild to find other players with similar struggles.

5. If your resolution is to read more

Remember what it's like to spend all day curled up with a good book? Me neither! But I still need to — and want to — keep up with my reading. That's where an app like ReadMe! can be a lifesaver. The app's colorized streaming text reduces the amount you have to move your eyes so you can read more quickly. You can amp up the speed if you're really in a hurry, or slow it down if you want a more relaxing experience. ReadMe! also allows syncing between devices and offline reading, so now there's no excuse for not getting caught up on that pile of books you've been collecting.

6. If your resolution is to get up from your desk more

It's great if you love your job so much that you can spend hours absorbed in it. But it's not great to spend all those hours glued to your chair. Apps like Stand up for Android or Stand Up! for iPhone will make sure that you don't let being in the zone destroy your health. Both of them let you choose the intervals when you'll get a "take a break" reminder. However, it's up to you to decide what you do during that time — maybe a few yoga stretches, a hike up and down the stairs, or just a brisk walk to grab a glass of water.

7. If your resolution is to start packing healthier lunches

Helping you make meals that are good for you is Yummly's specialty. The recipe app has a powerful search feature that sifts through top food blogs to find options that'll satisfy your cravings — but in a healthy way. Bonus! It also serves up gorgeous, full-sized photos of the mouth-watering dishes you're planning to prepare.

Try looking for "quick lunch," "simple lunch," or "hot lunch," and you'll get a load of delicious recipes you can easily compare and choose from. Even better, you can create shopping lists for each recipe and access or organize them onany device. Oh, and you can use that powerful filter to get recipes that fit your nutritional goals, avoid your allergies, and work with your tastes, or you can add your own favorite dishes to the app so that your "Yums" are always right at your fingertips.

8. If your resolution is to get organized

Does the thought of everything you have to do in 2016 already overwhelm you? Stay on top of your tasks with your very own virtual assistant from 24me. It brings your to-dos from your calendar, task manager, notes, social networks, financial institutions, and more together in one place automatically, reminding you about your cannot-be-missed errands and due dates.

The power of the app comes from both consolidating all your information and giving you one-click ways to get things done. So, paying your electric bill, ordering a birthday gift for your boss, or getting to your client meeting on time is as fast and painless as possible. And, if you're so busy that you can't even get it all done yourself, 24me will put you in touch with an actual assistant to run your errands or tackle your tasks.

9. If your resolution is to be more punctual

The last resolution tool isn't exactly an app, but it does use your smartphone to try to cure you of an annoying habit — being late. Interruptive is a Chrome extension that calls you to remind you that it's time to hit the road for your next appointment, or that you need to get started on that project you've been putting off now.

Interruptive integrates nicely with Google Calendar so all you have to do is decide how much in advance you want to be reminded of important events. The service will call you then — and keep calling you every minute for five minutes — until you confirm the call. Truly annoying, but definitely hard to ignore. And honestly, it's probably exactly what you need if you're known for being a little more than fashionably late.

New year's resolutions definitely require a good dose of stick-to-it-ness, but these apps make it easier to see them through. Good luck!

This article originally published at The Muse here

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. ANNOUNCES DECEMBER 2015 SALES AS BEST SALES MONTH EVER; SETS SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE YEARLY SALES RECORD

 

January 5, 2016

• Subaru sets a new all-time sales record of 582,675 vehicles; up 13.4 percent over 2014
• December 2015 marks best-ever sales month in company history
• 49th consecutive month of year-over-year growth
• Best December ever for Legacy, Forester, WRX/STI, Outback and Crosstrek
• Best year ever for Forester, WRX/STI, Outback and Crosstrek
• 29th consecutive month of more than 10,000 Foresters sold
• 22nd consecutive month of more than 10,000 Outbacks sold; Best Outback month ever

Cherry Hill, N.J. -  Subaru of America, Inc. today reported record-breaking sales of 582,675 vehicles for the 2015 calendar year; an increase of 13.4 percent over the previous annual record of 513,693 vehicles set in 2014. This is the seventh consecutive year of sales records for Subaru of America and eighth consecutive year of sales increases.  

The December sales total of 56,274 vehicles marks the company’s best-ever sales month, eclipsing the previous best month of September 2015 (53,070). December also marks the 22nd successive month of 40,000+ vehicle sales for the company which continues to outpace the industry.

Nearly all of the company’s current models contributed to its sales success in 2015. The Forester, Outback, WRX/STI and Crosstrek sales were notably strong as each carline achieved new annual sales records. The Forester and Outback mid-size CUVs finished the year with sales of 175,192 and 152,294, up 9.5 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively. The small CUV entrant, Crosstrek, added 88,927 sales to the year-end total, while the Legacy sedan achieved 60,447 sales in 2015. On the performance side, the company’s WRX and STI models were up 32.3 percent with annual sales of 33,724.

“As our franchise closes its seventh consecutive annual sales record, we have to give our heartfelt thanks to our retailers, distributors and colleagues, as well as Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. for making these historic results possible” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “2015 was another stellar year for the Subaru franchise and we are very optimistic about our continued success in 2016.”  

“December represented the best month ever for Subaru of America, capping off the best year in the company’s history, in both sales and market share,” said Jeff Walters, senior vice president of sales. “Subaru is well positioned to continue its success into 2016. We have the right product line-up, strong marketing and a superior retailer network providing us with a solid foundation for future growth,” added Walters.
 

Carline	Dec-15	Dec-14	% Chg	Dec-15	Dec-14	% Chg
	MTD	MTD	MTD	YTD	YTD	YTD
Forester	16,797	15,163	10.8%	175,192	159,953	9.5%
Impreza	6,059	5,808	4.3%	66,785	57,996	15.2%
WRX/STI	3,089	2,816	9.7%	33,734	25,492	32.3%
Legacy	5,759	5,457	5.5%	60,447	52,270	15.6%
Outback	16,067	14,772	8.8%	152,294	138,790	9.7%
BRZ	413	416	-0.7%	5,296	7,504	-29.4%
Crosstrek	8,090	5,482	47.6%	88,927	70,956	25.3%
TOTAL	56,274	49,923	12.7%	582,675	513,693	13.4%

Source: media.subaru.com

Fall Driving Safety Tips

As weather and road conditions change with the season, following fall driving safety tips will help keep you safe as you enjoy the cool crisp air and the beautiful colors of the autumn leaves.

The Dangers of Leaves on the Roads
When leaves accumulate on the roadway and become wet, they can get extremely slippery, making the driving conditions similar to driving on ice. If the temperature drops below freezing, the wet leaves will freeze and turn into dangerous icy leaves on the roadway. Besides reducing the car's traction, causing skidding and the possibility of losing control of the vehicle, leaves often cover the painted road markings, making it difficult to know the locations of the lanes.

• Slow down if you are driving on a road covered with leaves, especially when driving around turns.
• Allow yourself plenty of room to stop in an emergency. Keep a greater distance between you and the car in front of you.
• Leaves make it difficult to see potholes and bumps in the road.
• A pile of leaves raked to the side of the road is an inviting place to a child. Children enjoy jumping into the leaf piles or burrowing down into them and hiding. Never drive through a leaf pile. Use caution going around turns and where children are playing.
• Keep your windshield leaf free to avoid wet leaves getting stuck under the windshield wiper blades.
• In order to avoid the possibility of a fire hazard from the exhaust system or catalytic converter, never park your vehicle over a pile of leaves .

Changing Weather Conditions
In many areas, autumn is a damp, wet season. There are many rainy or foggy days and nights. As the temperatures drop, frost often coats the ground at night.

• When driving in fog, set your headlight to low beam. This setting aims the beam of light down toward the roadway.
• In the fall as temperatures drop, frost often forms on the roadway, causing hazardous driving conditions. Drive slowly and break gently at overpasses and bridges as these areas frost over more quickly than other roadway surfaces.
• Be aware of areas where black ice forms on the roadway.

Adjust for Fewer Hours of Daylight
In the fall there are fewer hours of daylight. In the earlier darkness it is common to see children outside playing or riding their bicycles. People are walking their dogs, jogging or taking late afternoon or evening walks. In the fading light of dusk it is more difficult to see the children and pedestrians.

• Watch out for children at their bus stops in the morning and as they return home in the afternoon.
• Halloween is a fun fall holiday. Take special care where children are out trick or treating. They may be wearing masks or costumes that limit their visibility.
• Always drive defensively.

Vehicle Maintenance

• Keep your headlights cleaned and in proper working order, making sure they are aligned.
• Replace your windshield wiper blades if they show any signs of wear.
• Keep an emergency car safety kit in your vehicle.

Additional Fall Safety Driving Tips

• Always keep a pair of sunglasses in your vehicle. Fall sunrises and sunsets can be very brilliant. The bright sun often creates a large amount of glare, making it difficult to see other vehicles, the roadway or the road's shoulder. Wearing sunglasses during these times reduces the danger.
• If you live in an area where there are deer, they are more apt to run into the roadway especially at dawn and dusk since the fall is an active breeding time. If you see a deer cross the roadway, proceed very slowly as they often travel in groups.

Naturally safe driving practices are essential all through the year. However, being aware of the unique autumn driving hazards and following the fall driving safety tips here will make you a safer driver.

Source: safety.lovetoknow.com

3 Improvements For the 20th Anniversary of the Subaru Outback

How is Subaru celebrating Outback’s 20th anniversary? The 2016 Subaru Outback gets 3 features that set it apart from the competition.

The 2016 Subaru Outback is arriving in dealer showrooms as the SUV-alternative vehicle is celebrating its 20th anniversary. There’s many crossover vehicles that are now available on the market, but the Subaru Outback was a pioneer in this category. The fifth generation Outback gets three new updates that set it apart from the competition.

Ever since the first-generation Outback, Subaru has retained what made it popular and has refined the crossover concept even further for adventure seekers. Outback combines the comfort of a passenger car, with the versatility of an SUV and the load capacity of a wagon. It’s all-wheel-drive capabilities are what Outback is known for, and it gets more refinements for the new-generation model.

Greater off-road ability

Subaru has taken the fifth-generation Outback, that embodies this concept, to an even higher level. Outback comes with ample ground clearance for off-road adventures but now comes with new features such as X-Mode. Outback owners will be able to enhance vehicle control by engaging X-Mode which also activates the new Hill Descent Control, which uses engine braking to help maintain a constant vehicle speed when the Outback is traveling down a steep mountain trail. 

Greater agility

The new Outback gets enhanced body and chassis rigidity, together with the addition of Active Torque Vectoring (ATV), that gives the wagon handling agility that was developed in the WRX STI, Subaru’s high-performance icon. Starting in 2015, Outback features ATV, a new yaw-control system. This technology, featured in the WRX STI, makes handling more precise and enhances the vehicle’s agility in the corners. This is accomplished by using the braking system to help turn the vehicle. ATV allows the driver to push the performance envelope to the limits and gives the driver a greater sense of control in spirited driving. 

Greater safety

The new Outback features another major advance. New models can be equipped with EyeSight, Subaru’s original crash prevention technology. EyeSight is the world’s first driver assist technology with adaptive cruise control and a pre-collision braking control that uses stereo camera technology only, to detect pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles. First launched in Japan in May 2008, the technology has been rolled out in North America, Australia and Europe.

The 2016 Subaru Outback gets the new generation EyeSight safety system that adds a Lane Keep Assist function which the driver can activate with a steering wheel mounted switch. It’s another example of how Subaru is establishing itself as the “safety brand” through advances in safety performance.

Source:  www.torquenews.com

Fall Driving Tips

Fall means a number of wonderful things, like warm, comfy sweaters, foliage, and baking pumpkin pies. For drivers, fall also brings unique dangers to the roads. Find out what makes fall driving dangerous and what you can do to keep yourself safe.

Why Driving In The Fall Can Be Dangerous

Weather conditions can be unpredictable in the fall. A bright, beautiful afternoon can turn rainy and cold in minutes. And with days getting shorter, you could find yourself commuting to or from work in darkness.

Back-to-school traffic

Fall means back to school for kids, which means more cars and buses on the roads. Drivers also need to watch out for increased pedestrian traffic in the morning and afternoon as children walk to and from school and their neighborhood bus stops.

Rain

The first rain in a few weeks can be particularly dangerous, as water pools on top of dust and oil that haven't had a chance to wash away and makes the pavement extremely slippery.

Leaves (and leaf peepers)

Fall foliage is certainly beautiful, but as leaves begin to fall, they litter the roads, making streets slick while obscuring traffic lines and other pavement markings. They also hide potholes and other road hazards. And when it rains, it can make those wet leaves on the roadway as dangerous as ice.

And where there are turning leaves, there are leaf peepers. These leaf-peeping drivers tend to crawl along the roads and make unpredictable stops to admire the changing foliage. If you're driving behind a car with out-of-state plates, give them a little extra space just in case they stop short for a photo.

Fog

Cold fall mornings often lead to fog, which can greatly limit your driving visibility and perception of distance. Fog tends to occur in low places or areas surrounded by hills, water, mountains, and trees. One common mistake drivers make during foggy conditions is putting on their high beams instead of staying with their low beams. This only makes visibility worse because your high beams will bounce off the fog and create glare.

When driving through fog, slow down and stay well behind the car in front of you so you'll have adequate time to stop if you need to.

Frost

During the fall, temperatures tend to drop dramatically during the night, which can lead to morning frost and icy spots on the road. This is especially common on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas of the road.

Sun glare

Fall is also a bad time for sun glare on the roads. Sun glare can impact your sight for seconds after exposure, making it hard to see pedestrians, oncoming traffic, or the car in front of you. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers describe being "blinded" after exposure, and this sometimes leads to accidents or near misses.

Sun glare can also cause problems when the sun sets behind drivers. In this case, sunlight can bounce off your rearview mirror or reflect off traffic lights up ahead, and this can blind you for a split second while your eyes adjust. It can also make it hard (or impossible) to see traffic lights, which can prevent you from knowing if you're supposed to stop or go.

Deer

The fall season brings an increase in deer activity because it's their time for mating and migrating. If you live in a deer-heavy area, watch for darting deer, especially when driving at night.

Fall Driving Tips

·        Being prepared for fall's inclement weather and hazardous driving challenges is half the battle.

·        Watch your speed: Drive a bit slower when faced with fall driving hazards, especially if you're driving around a school bus.

·        Keep your distance: Leave a little more space between you and the car in front on rainy or foggy days, during dawn or dusk, and in areas with wet leaves. This will give you more time to react.

·        Stick with low beams: Keep your headlights on low when driving in the fog (and rain). High beams will only cause glare.

·        Clear frost away from your windows: Frost can reduce visibility and response time on the road.

·        Approach traffic lights carefully: Sun glare can make it harder to see traffic lights change, so approach them with more than the normal care.

·        Avoid using products that increase gloss: Washing and waxing with these products can magnify the fall's sunny glare and make it hard to see.

·        Clean your windshield, inside and out: When your windshield's illuminated by sunlight, dust particles, streaks, and smudges become magnified, making it hard to see the road.

·        Watch for wildlife: especially in the early morning and evening hours.

·        Check your tire pressure: Since fall weather rapidly changes from warm to cold, your tires will often expand and contract. This can lead to a loss of pressure.

Source:  www.esurance.com

3 important chassis upgrades are coming to 2016 Subaru XV Crosstrek

Subaru UK has announced a raft of modifications and upgrades to the chassis of the 2016 XV compact crossover. What 3 upgrades did XV get?

The Subaru XV already has the lowest center of gravity in the compact crossover class, the highest ground clearance and it’s stable off-road. Subaru says they have made upgrades to all-wheel-drive vehicle’s suspension that will result in a smoother, more compliant ride.

What Subaru engineers did to the XV chassis

For the 2016 Subaru XV Crosstrek, Subaru says their main focus for upgrades to the chassis was to improve the car’s ride quality and reduce the intrusion of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) into the cabin.

Engineers at Fuji Heavy industries (FHI) retuned the front and rear suspension by lowering the pitch rate of the dampers and the coil springs get new settings. Subaru says this will improve ride quality by suppressing the transfer of vibrations into the cabin and the changes will further reduce roll for greater cornering stability.

The new spring rate settings should improve stability under cornering by ensuring greater tire contact with the road, while allowing for greater flexibility in ride over rough road surfaces.

Subaru also changed the steering ratio on XV and the 2016 model will be 10 percent quicker than before. This will improve the small crossovers steering response and provide more linear, direct and stable handling characteristics, requiring only 2.8 turns, lock-to-lock. The XV’s front cross-member has also been stiffened to improve steering stability.

NVH improvements

2016 XV also gets a quieter cabin from extra sound-absorbent material throughout the crossover and from the adoption of new under-bonnet insulators. This cuts vibrations from the engine and reduces wind and road noise in the cabin.

The XV’s under-body cover has also been reshaped to reduce wind noise around the rear of the car, while thicker glass for the front side windows and front quarter lights further reduces wind noise around the A-and B-pillars. Subaru says the new XV’s cabin is now 1dB quieter under acceleration or when traveling at high speed.

The upgraded 2016 Subaru XV Crosstrek goes on sale in the UK this month. In spite of all the chassis upgrades, Subaru was able to keep its existing on-the-road price, with the range starting from 21,995 British Pounds. There were also upgrades made to the XV’s interior and infotainment.

Source: http://www.torquenews.com/

Volkswagen plugs new Passat GTE into European outlets

It's been the better part of a year since Volkswagen first announced the Passat GTE and revealed it at the Paris Motor Show. And now the German automaker is finally bringing it to market. That is, at least, certain markets, anyway.

The new GTE broadens the range of the European-market Passat (which is entirely different from the model we get here) with a plug-in hybrid for the first time. It follows the emergence of the Golf GTE which has a similar setup. The gasoline-electric powertrain marries a 1.4-liter turbo four to an electric motor and a dual-clutch transmission, producing a combined 215 horsepower. It can also be switched into pure electric mode, giving it a battery-powered range of 31 miles and warranting exemption from congestion charges in London and other such cities.


VW will offer the Passat GTE in both sedan and Variant wagon forms, with sales already beginning in select markets and broadening across Europe this fall. Asian markets can expect to see the new plug-in by year-end as well. Interested US customers will just have to admire this particular model from afar.

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/