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Bogdan Popa

13,196  ARTICLES

Personal motto:

"Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow" - Jeff Valdez, Stand-up Comedian.

Staff Writer
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Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world, and more often than not, you’ll see him writing about the whole thing with a typing speed that a traffic camera could easily issue a ticket for.

He typically carries both an iPhone and Android device because there’s no such thing as the perfect phone, and he drives a car that some say is blue, others say is green.

His guilty pleasure is finding bugs in Android Auto (cc @Google, you’d better keep an eye on his reports, as these could actually help you refine the experience behind the wheel), and he occasionally tries out all kinds of weird gadgets that many people didn’t even know they exist.

His daily tech arsenal also includes a smartwatch and earbuds because that’s how geeks rock, as well as a laptop that has nothing in common with fruit.

Bogdan’s long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space in the trunk for his kid’s toys, as well as convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as the phones that these two companies build.

When he’s not writing about cars, Bogdan’s probably trying to fit a bike in the 375-liter trunk of his car or posting tech stuff for autoevolution’s sister site Softpedia.
Apple Maps Gets Another Highly Requested Feature, Not What Users Expected
Apple Maps Gets Another Highly Requested Feature, Not What Users Expected

12 Jun 2024, 11:51 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / Apple Maps is getting a lot more love these days, and I'm not surprised. Software is Apple's main focus in the automotive strategy after the Apple Car bit the dust, so we should all get used to more frequent Apple Maps and CarPlay updates...

 
Legit or Fake? 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Found in a Barn Selling for Big Bucks
Legit or Fake? 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Found in a Barn Selling for Big Bucks

12 Jun 2024, 11:15 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / The 1969 model year witnessed important changes for the Mustang lineup, but the overhaul didn't stop the yearly sales from declining. Ford shipped less than 300K units, with the hardtop coupe dominating the year with 127,954 units. The Mach...

 
New Update: You Can Already Download Android Auto 12.2 Ahead of Launch
New Update: You Can Already Download Android Auto 12.2 Ahead of Launch

11 Jun 2024, 22:00 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / Google has become super-committed to improving Android Auto's reliability and stability, and the frequent updates landing on the beta channel prove that the search giant is working around the clock on this front. Android Auto 12.1 landed in...

 
This 1966 Mercury Cyclone Was an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet, Barely Survived in a Barn
This 1966 Mercury Cyclone Was an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet, Barely Survived in a Barn

11 Jun 2024, 21:04 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / The Cyclone, part of the Comet lineup, underwent several big changes in 1966, starting with the redesigned body and the longer wheelbase. The Comet lineup included three versions: Caliente, Cyclone, and Cyclone GT. As anyone can guess, the GT wa...

 
Google Maps 2.0: Google Develops "Smart" Alternative Route Feature to Avoid Traffic
Google Maps 2.0: Google Develops "Smart" Alternative Route Feature to Avoid Traffic

11 Jun 2024, 15:16 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / I hate to admit it, but I rely so much on Google Maps and Waze that launching CarPlay and starting these navigation apps have become part of my typical routine every time I get behind the wheel. These apps are must-have driving companions, not just...

 
Apple Gives Users Another Reason to Say "No" to Google Maps
Apple Gives Users Another Reason to Say "No" to Google Maps

11 Jun 2024, 12:24 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / The battle between Apple Maps and Google Maps is getting fiercer, and while the iPhone maker is still painfully slow at expanding the detailed city experience to more regions, it's committed to making its app better. This year's WWDC e...

 
Goodbye, Cables: The Best Android Auto Wireless Adapters Get Major Discounts
Goodbye, Cables: The Best Android Auto Wireless Adapters Get Major Discounts

11 Jun 2024, 11:43 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / The benefits you get by ditching cables and going wireless in your car are obvious, and Android Auto users know how important it is to no longer depend on a cord. Cables are horrible accessories that sometimes wreak havoc in a car, leading to conne...

 
This Is the New CarPlay: Apple Reveals More Images Ahead of Launch
This Is the New CarPlay: Apple Reveals More Images Ahead of Launch

11 Jun 2024, 03:58 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / We've known for a while that the new-generation CarPlay was coming, but Apple has decided to remain tight-lipped on most juicy details. This approach made many believe that CarPlay is MIA and the iPhone maker can't convince car companies ...

 
Fantastic 1967 Impala Flexes the Complete Package: Original, Unrestored, Convertible
Fantastic 1967 Impala Flexes the Complete Package: Original, Unrestored, Convertible

11 Jun 2024, 03:29 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / Choosing an Impala in 1967 wasn't easy, as Chevrolet offered no more, no less than six versions, all with multiple engines and 15 exterior colors. The lineup included two- and four-door hardtops, four-door sedans, convertibles, and two wago...

 
1959 Pontiac Catalina Isn't Your Average Survivor, You'll Hopefully Like the Body Style
1959 Pontiac Catalina Isn't Your Average Survivor, You'll Hopefully Like the Body Style

10 Jun 2024, 21:10 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / Customers who walked into a Pontiac dealership in 1959 to get the brand-new Catalina had a difficult mission. The GM brand offered a varied lineup that included seven versions. The most obvious choice was the two-door sport sedan, which could be...

 
11YO Steals Several Kias, Throws Rocks at Homes, Rams Into Business
11YO Steals Several Kias, Throws Rocks at Homes, Rams Into Business

10 Jun 2024, 16:32 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / Everybody believed the Kia Boys would stop stealing cars once Hyundai and Kia released an anti-theft patch, but this is so not what happens in the United States these days when teens keep wreaking havoc in their communities. The Albuquerque Poli...

 
1962 Oldsmobile 98 Survived Four Decades in Storage, Fantastic News Under the Hood
1962 Oldsmobile 98 Survived Four Decades in Storage, Fantastic News Under the Hood

10 Jun 2024, 14:57 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / Cars that spend decades in storage typically come with massive problems, not only in terms of rust but also from a mechanical perspective. Engines are typically in non-working shape, and if they're still there – as many classics lose ...

 
Installing Android on Spotify's Car Thing: Is It Really Possible?
Installing Android on Spotify's Car Thing: Is It Really Possible?

10 Jun 2024, 13:16 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / It's not uncommon to see software companies trying to expand into the hardware space. Several big names attempted the migration, but few managed to turn this move into a successful business plan. Microsoft is probably the best example. Ofte...

 
You Can't Make This Up: Unrestored 1976 Pontiac Trans Am Hides "HO" Surprise Inside
You Can't Make This Up: Unrestored 1976 Pontiac Trans Am Hides "HO" Surprise Inside

10 Jun 2024, 11:55 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / The Trans Am was already the king of the Firebird castle in 1976, with its sales going through the roof once again. It was the best Firebird year, beating the 1968 performance thanks to over 110K units shipping to customers in the United States. ...

 
Real-Deal 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Flexes L34 Muscle, Good Luck Winning the Battle
Real-Deal 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Flexes L34 Muscle, Good Luck Winning the Battle

10 Jun 2024, 09:30 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / 1966 witnessed big changes in the Chevelle lineup, the most notable of which was the transformation of the Malibu Super Sport into the SS 396 lineup. The change didn't take long, as the Super Sport rebecame part of the Chevrolet Chevelle famil...

 
1968 Buick Riviera GS Tucked Away for Decades Emerges With Allegedly Super-Rare Color
1968 Buick Riviera GS Tucked Away for Decades Emerges With Allegedly Super-Rare Color

8 Jun 2024, 23:20 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / The 1968 Riviera received a major refresh, and many people believed the facelift contributed to Buick's amazing sales for the entire model year. The company sold over 652,000 cars, and the Riviera accounted for approximately 50,000 units. H...

 
Who's Fault Is It? Half-Baked Android Auto Support Pushes Ram Owners to CarPlay
Who's Fault Is It? Half-Baked Android Auto Support Pushes Ram Owners to CarPlay

8 Jun 2024, 22:30 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / Depending on who you ask, Android Auto is either a fantastic app or a major flop. Some users are so lucky that they encounter zero problems with Android Auto. The app runs flawlessly in their cars, and even voice commands work perfectly every time....

 
Waze Quietly Releases New Interface Update, Good News for CarPlay Users
Waze Quietly Releases New Interface Update, Good News for CarPlay Users

8 Jun 2024, 21:08 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / Waze is getting through a lot of changes these days, and not all are publicly announced by the parent company. In addition to the major feature update that is now rolling out to users worldwide, and which includes warnings for speed bumps and sh...

 
Google Maps vs. Apple Maps: Their Strengths and Weaknesses
Google Maps vs. Apple Maps: Their Strengths and Weaknesses

7 Jun 2024, 22:30 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / I know what you think. Another "Google Maps vs. Apple Maps" story where I'm being told Google Maps is better. While I agree that the web is full of articles that eventually recommend one of the two, my goal today is to create a list ...

 
First Time Offered in 55 Years: 1964 Pontiac GTO Emerges With Rare Color, Born by Accident
First Time Offered in 55 Years: 1964 Pontiac GTO Emerges With Rare Color, Born by Accident

7 Jun 2024, 22:00 UTC · By: Bogdan Popa / The GTO launched in 1964 and was an instant hit. Based on the Tempest Le Mans, the GTO could be had as a $295 package that included a 389 four-barrel engine with 325 horsepower, hood scoops, dual exhausts, red line tires, and other performance-orie...

 

Stories by Bogdan Popa