Edmunds.com is one of the most popular resources on the internet for people looking for pricing information on their cars, and the company recently maderesearching on the go a little bit easier. The company updated its smartphone app with the most up-to-date research on new and used cars, including trade-in values and retail prices.

The app is designed specifically for the Android. Although it was popular when it was first launched, Edmunds.com received a significant amount of feedback from users who would like info on used car and trade-ins, and they apparently took the message to heart.

"The initial launch of our Android app for new car research was a major success and the most common feedback we received was a strong desire for used car information," said Jennifer Cleverley, director of mobile technology at Edmunds.com. "We heard that feedback loud and clear, and car buyers now have an even better app to help them negotiate their new or used vehicle purchases with confidence."

In addition to taking advantages of programs like the Edmunds.com app, there are a number of things you can do to ensure that you get the best price possible when trading in your car. According to AutoTrader.com, one of the best things you can do is to put some effort into making your car look nicer.

There are a number of small steps you can take, like washing and waxing the exterior, but turning your attention toward the inside can have big impact as well. A thorough cleaning, including the upholstery, rugs and mats, and adding an air freshener for good measure, will all pay off in the long run.

Of course, you can't just head in to trade-in your car blindly, either. The publication reports that sellers must do their due diligence when it comes to researching how much they can reasonably expect to get for their car.

Finally, it would behoove you to make sure that you have all your records in order before heading off to the dealer. In particular, it is important to have all documentation of maintenance to prove to the dealers that the car was well taken care off, according to the website.

The holiday season is a great time to score deals on many different items, and it seems like it's also the right time to get a new car as well. Experts say that December often has the greatest discounts because many dealers are feeling pressure to get rid of their current year's cars to make room for the newer models, ABC News reports.

The evidence seems to stack up in favor of buying in December when analysts point out specifics. In particular, the average discount offered when consumers buy a car in December is about 6.5 percent compared to 4.5 percent during the rest of the year.

Even if you can't buy a car in December, waiting until the end of the month to make a purchase could turn out to be a wise decision, according to the news source. Industry insiders say that some salesmen have incentives to sell a certain amount of cars each month and may be more willing to offer a discount as crunch time approaches.

Drivers hoping to get behind the wheel of a new or used car may want to turn to New Jersey Auto Auction as well, which offers many makes and models at affordable prices.

Cars have added numerous technological advancements over the last several years, and 2012 should be no different. CBS Money Watch recently previewed some of the most-anticipated additions to be unveiled in the coming months.

Perhaps the most impressive way with which cars have been using technology is to improve safety. This will be at the front and center of some 2012 models, which have added accident avoidance systems. The Chevrolet Equinox, for one, has a lane departure warning, which alerts drivers if they are drifting, and a collision warning features that automatically puts on the brakes.

"We expect these new systems to be [available] on many mainstream models within a few years," Russ Rader of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety told the news source.

There are also advancements being made that will improve the overall driving experience. A number of cars, including the Dodge Charger, have been outfitted with innovative eight-speed transmissions that significantly boost the cars' gas mileage.

Drivers looking to take advantage of some of the recent technology in used cars may want to head to New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of makes and models at affordable prices. 

Scientists at Germany's Free University have created one of the first self-driving cars in the world. Using a specially outfitted Volkswagen Passat, the team has been testing the car in the streets of Berlin all summer long, and according to the Associated Press the results have been impressive.

The process certainly hasn't been an easy one. The research team has been working on the project for around four years and put in about $550,000 worth of special devices on board the Passat including computers, electronics and a precision satellite navigation system.

"The vehicle can recognize other cars on the road, pedestrians, buildings and trees up to 70 meters around it, and even see if the traffic lights ahead are red or green and react accordingly," the head of the research team Raul Rojas told the AP and other reporters at a presentation.

The team was allowed to test the car in real traffic as long as there was a safety driver behind the wheel – even if he or she was not touching anything. It was also allowed to be tested in special areas without the safety net.

The car is similar to one Google has been testing in the street of Nevada, though the company has been very secretive about its successes thus far.