Amazing concept car designs often inspire gadget designers, but sometimes the inspiration flows the other way. Here are three awesome concept car designs from the past 5 years that were inspired by the latest gadgets – both in look and in their embodiment of the idea of the connected car.

Volkswagen Bulli

Inspired by Volkswagen’s iconic camper van, the Bulli concept car has an in-car entertainment and driver information system that is all controlled and operated by an integrated Apple iPad. The iPad is mounted in a custom dock attached to an extending tilt and swivel arm in the center of the car so that it can be operated by both driver and passenger. The tablet is responsible for all of the car’s “infotainment” functions, including audio, video, satellite navigation and even climate controls. The Bulli, which was first shown in 2011, also has a lithium-ion battery (which can be charged in under one hour), a 113-horsepower electric motor and a Fender-designed audio system.

Nissan Urge

First shown in 2006, the Urge was developed when Nissan North America Inc. and Microsoft collaborated to design a concept car which combined the latest in automobile design with the latest in gaming technology. The result is the world’s first fully integrated gaming system within a car.

Inspired by Microsoft’s hugely popular Xbox 360 video game console, the Nissan Urge has mobile phone integration, a flip-down LCD screen and, of course, a fully integrated Xbox 360. The console comes preloaded with Project Gotham Racing, and the racing game is actually controlled with the same steering wheel and pedals used to drive the car.

As you might expect, for safety reasons, the Xbox console can only be played when the car is stationary, but nevertheless, Microsoft says that the Nissan Urge delivers an unparalleled driving experience that cannot be replicated in any living room.

Apple-inspired iMove

Apple fans will be delighted should this Apple-inspired concept car ever become a reality. The hybrid iMove car is the brainchild of Italian automotive designer Liviu Tudoran, who designed it as a student project in 2010. It is, of course, inspired by Apple’s design aesthetic.

Among the innovative features, the iMove includes a touchscreen dashboard interface, solar glass to charge the car and a special photochromic “skin” which allows the driver to actually change the color of the car. The three-seater vehicle also features a removable roof and a door design that offers open access to the iMove’s interior.

Daniel Butler is a contributor to and editor of Vroomvroomvroom.co.uk, a car hire company based in the UK. He is also a keen gadget blogger.

Learn more about the future of connectivity and see the Tesla Model S at GigaOM’s RoadMap event in November. 

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Since the day mobile gadgets were invented, they were never envisioned to perform just basic functions. Manufacturers of mobile devices are more than aware of this phenomenon. So they have invested a lot of time and energy into developing and designing the coolest mobile gadgets that consumers would want.

The challenge has always been to find the right balance between power, features, and design. For example, to stay competitive, laptop manufacturers are forever looking at ways to produce slimmer machines. Mobile phone manufacturers are forever looking at ways to improve the designs of their products so that their products look “cool”.

For sure, their efforts may be part of a complex business strategy. After all, it can sometimes be difficult to differentiate products based on hardware specifications or software features. Such elements can be easily duplicated by the competition. So if another company launches a more powerful machine, a product line may be dead in the water. To avoid this problem, manufacturers have learned to create loyalty. How? By improvising on their designs.

Apple is very good at creating loyal customers for their products. Take a look at the Apple 2G iPhone. Everyone wants to get their hands on an iPhone, even though Apple has an exclusive contract with AT&T that allows users to connect only with the giant telecommunications company. But the product is so successful that Apple fans are looking at different methods that allow them to unlock their iPhones so that they can use the gadget with their existing carriers. Obviously, there are some legal concerns. But that is not the point here. The point here is that when there is a loyal following for a popular product, the business will be successful.

After the success of the 2G iPhones, along come the next generation of iPhones – the 3G iPhones. Since the formula has been working so well for Apple, there is little change to the look and feel of the 3G iPhone. The main difference lies in the high speed connection that the 3G iPhone offers. 2G iPhones only offer low speed Internet connections. But with high speed connections opened up, the 3G iPhone is able to support a plethora of new applications. For example, downloading maps for navigation is now possible on the 3G iPhone. If you attempt to run the same application on the 2G iPhone, it would take ages!

Because of the presence of more applications, this has an adverse impact on the battery life of the iPhone 3G. Obviously, the more powerful the applications, the more power it consumes. Hence, the shorter battery life. Still, that does not deter thousands and thousands of Apple fans from getting their hands on a 3G iPhone.

Mobile gadgets have never been about power alone. They are lifestyle gadgets, and they will be part of the social experience of their owners. Perhaps you too would like to show off your new 3G iPhone to your peers.