Car enthusiasts with iPhone’s should be happy to know BMW just released a free app that measures acceleration runs and g-forces on any car. Using integrated movement sensors, the App captures: 

-Speed (mph / km/h)
-Forward acceleration (Forward g)
-Lateral acceleration (Lateral g)
-Travel time for a specified distance (e.g. 1/16-, 1/8-, 1/4-, 1/2- and full-mile runs)
- Acceleration to a specific speed (e.g. 0-30, 0-50, 0-60 and 0-100 mph times)

Sounds pretty cool, but how and how well does the handy little download really work? From MotorTrend:

“The iPhone must be laid flat pointing in the direction of travel or sitting upright at 90-degrees in order to get a measurement, so you might need a passenger to hold it or a mount for it. Getting the app to take an accurate measurement was a bit tricky as the car must be at a complete stop when you start recording and it seems to take a second to begin measuring after you press start.” 

“…Does this mean the M Power Meter is inaccurate? Not at all, it just means we'll have to take it with us the next time we go to the track and make a couple of extra runs against the VBox to find out…” (1)

The M Power Meter App can be downloaded from the Apple App store and features three free design skins: "Sport", "Lava" and "Midnight". 

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Sources: 

(1) http://wot.motortrend.com/6606437/gadgets/theres-an-app-for-that-bmw-releases-m-power-meter-app-for-iphone/index.html 
(2) http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1041200_free-bmw-m-power-iphone-app-measures-your-pleasure
Picture: MotorTrend

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