The best iPhone apps do not feel bolted on. That is the approach behind eyeSpeed: modern iOS features with location data kept on-device.
Live Activities and Dynamic Island
eyeSpeed uses Live Activities to show your current speed on the Lock Screen, so you do not have to unlock your phone to check it.
On iPhone 14 Pro and later, that Live Activity also appears in the Dynamic Island. You can keep your speed visible while using other apps, including Apple Maps.
The important part is how it works. GPS coordinates are processed locally to calculate speed, and only the speed value is sent to the Live Activity. Your route and coordinates stay on your device.
iOS Shortcuts and Siri Integration
eyeSpeed exposes 10 App Intents, so you can control it with Siri and iOS Shortcuts.
Say “Hey Siri, start speedometer in eyeSpeed” to begin hands-free. You can also switch units, change timeout settings, or trigger the app from automations like Driving Focus or a car connection.
Just as important, these commands execute locally. There is no eyeSpeed server handling your voice command or shortcut action.
Comprehensive Accessibility
Accessibility is part of the core design, not a box checked at the end.
VoiceOver Support
VoiceOver works across the app with proper labels, values, and hints for the speed display, unit controls, toolbar buttons, and settings. eyeSpeed can be used by ear, not just by sight.
Dynamic Type
eyeSpeed respects Dynamic Type, so larger system text sizes remain readable.
Accessibility in Live Activities
The Lock Screen and Dynamic Island views include VoiceOver support for speed updates too.
Global Localization
eyeSpeed supports 39 languages, and the app adapts beyond basic translation.
Right-to-Left Support
Languages like Arabic, Hebrew, Farsi, and Urdu read right-to-left. eyeSpeed mirrors layout, alignment, and navigation for those users.
Localized Accessibility
Accessibility strings are localized too, so VoiceOver matches the user’s language.
Regional Unit Detection
eyeSpeed also detects regional unit preferences through iOS Locale, with no network call required.
Performance Settings
eyeSpeed includes three performance modes that balance responsiveness and battery life:
Efficient: 5-meter updates for long-drive battery savings.
Balanced: 2-meter updates for everyday driving.
Responsive: Continuous updates for maximum responsiveness.
These modes adjust CoreLocation’s distanceFilter to trade efficiency for faster updates.
Screen Management
eyeSpeed gives you control over the display in ways that matter in a car mount:
- Rotation lock: Lock portrait or landscape orientation
- Status bar control: Hide system chrome for a cleaner view
- Auto-hide toolbar: Keep controls available without leaving them on screen
- Screen sleep prevention: Keep the display awake while the app is open
CoreLocation Integration
At its core, eyeSpeed is a GPS speedometer. It requests kCLLocationAccuracyBestForNavigation, reads speed through CLLocation.speed, and converts it into MPH or KPH. For normal operation it asks for When In Use location permission, with background access limited to active Live Activities.
Most important, eyeSpeed does not store location history. GPS readings are used to calculate current speed, then discarded.
SwiftUI and Modern iOS Architecture
eyeSpeed is built with SwiftUI, which helps it stay aligned with iOS behavior, accessibility patterns, and future platform updates.
iOS 26 and Liquid Glass
eyeSpeed also supports iOS 26’s Liquid Glass visual language.
What iOS Integration Means for You
These integrations are not there to pad a feature list. They make speed monitoring easier to use, easier to see, and easier to trust.
- Live Activities let you see your speed without unlocking your phone
- Shortcuts let you control the app hands-free while driving
- Accessibility ensures everyone can use the app regardless of ability
- Localization makes the app feel native regardless of language
- Performance settings let you balance accuracy against battery life
- Screen management gives you control over your display
And through all of it, the privacy model stays the same. Features are implemented locally. Your data stays on your device.
Driving It Home
eyeSpeed uses modern iOS features the way I think they should be used: for the driver’s benefit, not for data collection.
That is what a privacy-first iPhone app looks like.