Primospot

SMS Parking Reminders

Nicole — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

We have a new feature in the on-street parking section of our site! Now PrimoSpot can send a text message to your mobile phone when your parking spot is about to expire or become available. This is a helpful reminder to add coins to the meter, or just to remember when it's time to move the car before the street cleaners come in.

To get an SMS reminder, just click on any of the on-street parking markers on the map, then go to the remind tab. Enter your cellphone number, your service provider, and confirm the time you would like to be notified. The reminder time will default to 5 minutes before the spot expires or becomes available, but you can modify this to your liking.

Try it out and let us know your thoughts - we would love feedback on this as we continue to improve it!

*One thing to note: Standard text message rates will apply. Check with your wireless service provider for details regarding associated SMS charges. PrimoSpot will not add any additional charges for using this service, we provide this service as-is and cannot be responsible for any charges you may get from your cellphone provider.

Hello Boston and Cambridge

Mike — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:41:00 GMT

The challenge of parking in the Boston metro area just got a little easier.

Now Boston has PrimoSpot, the ONLY online and iPhone application that can provide real-time guidance for on-street parking, as well as for comparing garage parking and finding bike racks!

Whether it’s searching for local parking on a daily basis, simply visiting the area, or attending a special event or attraction, we can even help you navigate the ins and outs of Boston area parking when you need it.

Here are some screen shots of PrimoSpot in action:

Find a good rate for a garage downtown:

View an on-street parking spot that is about to open up in the North End:

PrimoSpot BlackBerry Application: There's a Plan Brewing

Nicole — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:01:00 GMT

We have been pretty excited about the number of requests for a PrimoSpot BlackBerry application, and want everyone to know that we are creating a plan for putting one out there. Trust us - there is no snub for our BB friends intended - (we have them, too!) it's just an entirely different beast than the iPhone.

Thanks to all for the enthusiasm - we promise to keep you posted as development progresses with an official planned launch date, hopefully in the January 2010 timeframe.

Customize Your Embedded Parking Maps

Mike — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:00:00 GMT

We added the ability to embed our parking maps on other web sites or blogs a long time ago. Since then, we have added many more features to our parking maps.

To make embedding simpler, we have added a page that allows customization of the embedded maps. You can play around with all the different options and get a preview what the embedded map will look like. Once you are happy, copy and paste the code into your blog or web site.

Here is what is looks like (click to try it out):

Find Parking in the FUTURE

Mike — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:00:00 GMT

One of the most requested features from our users has always been the ability to see what the On-street parking will look like later in the day or the next day. We are happy to announce that we have added this feature using our new search widget:

Inside of the widget, choose On-street as the type of information you want. Next change the text field just under the word starting to a new time in the future (it will default to now).

You can type these date and times in plain English, there is no need to choose from a calendar or pick times from a list. Some valid time searches are:

Tonight at 8pm
Tomorrow at 8am
Monday 07:30
Tue 7:45

Currently, we are saving 3-4 days information ahead. We expect to have searches for up to one week into the future available by the end of September 2009.

PrimoSpot Parking app in the Android Market

Mike — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:10:00 GMT

Find free on-street or garage parking while on the go with your Android mobile phone. Also quickly compare garage rates at your current location.

For those of you with a G1 or the new MyTouch (HTC Magic) mobile phone, you are in luck! Go to the market app and search for either parking or primospot.

See more screenshots and details.

PrimoSpot featured on CBS Radio Show Dishin Digital

Mike — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:01:00 GMT

We were featured on the CBS radio show Dishin Digital.

Paul Murnane explores a new Web site that helps New Yorkers search for parking options in the city.

Thanks Paul and the crew over at CBS radio for the great mention!

Compare Garage Prices in Real Time

Mike — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:31:00 GMT

We are proud to announce our newest feature on the site, the Real-Time Garage Price Chart. While browsing the map for parking garages, the left hand column of the site will show the hourly, daily, and monthly prices in a comparison chart. These prices load fast as you move the map!

The chart is sorted by hourly price, so zooming out the map means that you see cheaper prices. Clicking on the column headers will sort by that type. To see the best monthly parking rates for a given area, search or move the map, then click monthly column header on top of the chart. Try it out (and let us know what you think in our Feedback section).

Check out a screen shot of some garages around union square:

Park Yourself at Katz's

Mike — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:17:00 GMT

You can now find a place to park using one of our embedded parking maps on the Katz's delicatessen website.

If you have never heard about Katz's, check out this documentary about Katz's by Yura Dashevsky.

Parking Garages to Become Slightly More Bike-Friendly?

Mike — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:32:00 GMT

The New York City Council’s committees on Transportation and Consumer Affairs held a joint hearing on June 15, 2009, to discuss a proposed amendment to existing zoning laws that would create thousands of parking spaces for bicycles around the city.

The amendment proposes that, "The operator of every garage and parking lot that has an authorized capacity of fifty-one or more motor vehicle spots shall provide and maintain parking spaces for bicycles."

The amendment was first introduced in 2008 and has been the subject of several hearings by the committees on Transportation, Housing and Buildings and Consumer Affairs in the past; however, co-sponsor Councilman David Yassky (D-33) said that he hoped the bill could “get passed quickly” before the Council breaks for the summer.

PrimoSpot is planning on launching a bicycle specific mobile app in the near future. We will be updating the story as it develops.