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GasBuddy News Article

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Buick Builds A Smartphone Game For Hypermilers

Wired Magazine -- Buick has released a new suite of smartphone games that encourage fuel saving habits.

The Buick Fuel Efficiency Games app might not have the flashiest name out there, but it’s a free app for Android or Apple that contains three separate games that teach about stop/start technology, regenerative braking and aerodynamic optimization.

... The first 2 games require players to navigate through a course on a single tank of fuel. Regeneration Road shows off the eAssist system’s regenerative braking technology, forcing players to slow down for pedestrians while driving through a city. If that’s a little too much like driving to work, there’s also Roll and Boost — a “beautiful weekend drive through a flowing countryside” that’s only less relaxing due to the lack of nearby gas stations.


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Submitted Feb 08, 2012 By: sluggopyle
Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics Add to favorite topics  
Author Topic: Buick Builds A Smartphone Game For Hypermilers Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
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sparky808
Champion Author Honolulu

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Message Posted: Feb 9, 2012 12:30:11 PM

Should have built a car instead.
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tomok
Champion Author Portland

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Message Posted: Feb 9, 2012 3:13:00 AM

Don’t need no smart phone app to drive safely and use as little gas as I can. the first logical decision is to drive a vehicle with high MPG, is very reliable, has a ‘reasonable’ cost and is a good ‘value’ for the money.
The price of fuel at the pump is too high!
12/22/2012!
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my2002m
Champion Author Tulsa

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 10:09:31 PM

Thats one app that I won't be downloading.
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sluggopyle
Champion Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 7:01:59 PM

=> Hypermilers are not typically safe drivers since they never really want to come a stop and are consistently driving significantly slower than the flow of traffic. <=

-- and that makes them "unsafe"?
or
-- and that makes what everybody else is doing the right thing?
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cablguy29
Veteran Author New Hampshire

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 6:58:05 PM

Can't find the App. Using android.
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PerSonneL
Champion Author Alberta

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 6:08:19 PM

what's the point ?
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humblepie
Champion Author Toledo

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 5:49:40 PM

and nerds rejoice
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Alfied
Champion Author Riverside

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 5:39:29 PM

Hope they're not playing it in the car (Buick, of course.)
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ModelWarships
Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 5:32:32 PM

now they will be playing instead of driving
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ciimike
Champion Author Nevada

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 5:07:41 PM

Hypermilers are not typically safe drivers since they never really want to come a stop and are consistently driving significantly slower than the flow of traffic.
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GatorGuy
Champion Author Columbia

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 5:00:19 PM

Sounds fun...but I'll stick with Temple Run!
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orcar
Champion Author Boise

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 4:40:47 PM

Sounds like the Buick version of Death Race 2000.
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DutchTreatMI
Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 4:18:41 PM

Warning; Not to be used while driving!!!!
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jcurley
Champion Author California

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 4:06:16 PM

Install it on the cars, not on the phones!
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RickF350
Champion Author Washington

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 4:03:44 PM

Ok
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Mr.Dirt
Champion Author Albany

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:57:22 PM

are the game played when you are driving or after
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shores4now
All-Star Author Kentucky

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:55:27 PM

hmmmmmmmmmm
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hagar2935
Veteran Author Nevada

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:54:37 PM

Good idea, but the danger is the low IQ idiots who play the games while driving!
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repeater1
Champion Author Topeka

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:53:21 PM

Interesting.
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JagXKR
Champion Author British Columbia

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:52:14 PM

Just don't play while driving!
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BobbyVA
Champion Author Virginia Beach

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:51:41 PM

BFD!
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mageetp
Champion Author British Columbia

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:48:46 PM

Not interested.
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HYEgasCA
Champion Author Fresno

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:48:37 PM

First I have to get a smart phone.
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cehend
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:46:47 PM

This is a cute thing, just don't use the app when you are driving!
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farn1958
Sophomore Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:45:38 PM

I se Law suites on the horizon from crashes caused from idiots trying to use thease while driving.
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LSU_TIGERS_dmb
Champion Author Louisiana

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:44:03 PM

An you will get a ticket for using it while driving..

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blah2blah3
All-Star Author Houston

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:40:51 PM

ok
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srchr
Champion Author San Jose

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:36:55 PM

wonder how realistic it is?
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marlita
Champion Author Dayton

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:36:01 PM

How stupid they are giving out tickets now for driving and talking on your phone and texting so I'm sure gaming is in there also.
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BigBillMI
Veteran Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:35:30 PM

advertisements although they are fee it will cost us especially those of us who drive buicks
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DeeLA
Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:31:26 PM

I guess this is okay for new drivers and those who don't pay attention to how their car behaves when they drive and what experience tells them.
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bigmace111
All-Star Author Albany

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:30:15 PM

Probably the best way to get good gas mileage, because we aren't getting it with ethanol.
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caddilac
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:30:09 PM


OK, just as long as people don't play the games while driving.

"This is a game played on your cell phone or ipod and not something you would actually play while driving your real car."

Well, if people are already stupid and use their cell phone or ipod while driving what says they won't be even more stupid and play the game while they are driving????



[Edited by: caddilac at 2/8/2012 3:34:31 PM EST]
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gvan
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:29:18 PM

"another money making gimmick"

What? Did you see this:

"....but it’s a free app for Android or Apple...."

How does Buick make money from a free app?
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BigBillMI
Veteran Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:27:00 PM


well we might as well all play a game
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rjoeh
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:26:37 PM

Sounds plausible. Most people I observe on the highway know only one thing... full throttle or crash braking. Economy is the furthest thing from their minds.
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JENNYHK
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:23:59 PM

I would think people have better things to do with their time.
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seeyardee
Champion Author Sacramento

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:23:39 PM

Awesome. I'll check this out instead of texting while driving.
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billy44bo
Champion Author Mobile

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:22:10 PM

that will make me so happy
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jjw0608
Champion Author Milwaukee

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:22:05 PM

Buicks are for old people. Check it out!
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kyrunner
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:21:41 PM

With our failed education system and a complete loss of common sense a lot of people can't figure it out without help. My goodness our country is getting dumber and dumber daily.

[Edited by: kyrunner at 2/8/2012 3:22:47 PM EST]
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ezone
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:20:16 PM

I suppose this is to be applauded, but realistically anyone who doesn't understand the simplistic measures presented is either under age 14 or too damned stupid to be trainable.
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SUSANCK
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:18:33 PM

ok
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jem069
All-Star Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:16:23 PM

K
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EmperorsFinest
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:13:52 PM

Sounds like fun.
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rjhenn
Champion Author Des Moines

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:10:37 PM

To repeat jeromehasbargen's post:
For those that posted comments before reading the whole article: This is a game played on your cell phone or ipod and not something you would actually play while driving your real car. It is a teaching tool for drivers.
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Kaiyne
All-Star Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:08:34 PM

I think it is a good idea to teach people but it should not be done while driving.
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salog
Champion Author Columbia

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:05:04 PM

thought the point was not to use the phone in the car; especially while driving.
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Texrider49
Champion Author New Haven

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:02:53 PM

neat
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ItisAJeepThing
Champion Author Tucson

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:02:41 PM

We don't need any more things to distract drivers. Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.
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