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Most new cars ship with fancy on-board navigation and entertainment systems, but you don't need to take ona massive car loan just to get some fancy gadgets on your dashboard. In fact you're probably already toting around a smartphone that's every bit as sophisticated as most in-dash units.
In this how-to we'll take a look at how to build your own system on the cheap.
==Deck out your phone==
While navigation systems in cars are pretty sophisticated, chances are your smartphone is capable of the same turn-by-turn directions, and, if it's running Android or iOS, you can add apps like Yelp, Urbanspoon and a cheap gas locator.
Because you've got 3G signal you'll also have access to anything on the web -- grab some new mp3s from iTunes, update your podcasts while you're waiting at a stoplight or check in with Facebook's new Places service to find out who's nearby.
==Set up your car==
To make your set-up hands free and slicker than just a phone in your packet, grab some velcro from your local fabic store and bit of strong, double-sided tape. Find a suitable flat surface on your car's dashboard, or center console and secure the bottom half of velcro to your dash with the double-sided tape (or glue if you're more committed) and then put the other half on the back of your phone.
Then plug your car charger into your car's lighter and run the cord up to your phone. Bonus points if you can get the cord behind the dash, out of sight and tangles.
Need some music? No problem, just pick up a cheap auxillary audio cable and run it from your Phone's headphone jack down to the back of your car stereo. If you can't get to the back of the stereo, or the stereo doesn't have any open inputs, pick up an FM transmitter and you'll still be able to pipe your tunes into your car stereo.
==Go Mobile==
Now for the best part of your DIY setup -- you can take it with you. While a car-bound system loses its usefulness when you reach your destination, you can take your custom, DIY navigation system with you.
==Other ideas==
Throw in a solar charger to power your smartphone and free up your car's lighter input to charge anything else you might need on the road -- a netbook, Nintendo 3DS or, god forbid, light a cigarette.
If you want to get even fancier -- and your car has room for it -- you can try fitting in a 3G equipped iPad for a bigger screen that's easier to use on the go.
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