Ever wake up and not remember where the car is parked? XPressions Inc. has debuted a car-location application that remembers where a person parked.

The VQ Car Charger works like a regular BlackBerry charger but has a Bluetooth module embedded in it. It is the companion piece that people who don't have in-vehicle Bluetooth use to pair with the "VQ CarFinder" application.

"VQ CarFinder is the only vehicle locating smartphone application that automatically remembers where you parked," said Harris Korn, vice president of marketing and product innovation at Xpressions, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.

"You don't have to do anything until you want to find your car," he said. "Then just launch VQ CarFinder and it will automatically guide you back to your car with arrows and maps, updating your position on BlackBerry maps as you move toward your car.

"Our strategy is to create awareness in the BlackBerry community and -- through free trial programs, promotional pricing and creative contests " make it easy for BlackBerry users to try and purchase VQ CarFinder."

BlackBerry smartphone users can download a free trial of the full version of VQ CarFinder on BlackBerry App World (www.blackberry.com/appworld) or from the VQ CarFinder site.

After the trial period users can buy a VQ CarFinder license for the special introductory price of just $9.99 (regular price is $24.99).

VQ CarFinder software uses the capabilities of a GPS-enabled BlackBerry smartphone along with in-vehicle Bluetooth (or a VQ Bluetooth Car Charger) to determine when and where the car is parked.

When the user starts their car, VQ CarFinder notes the existence of the Bluetooth signal and automatically launches the GPS. When the user turns off their car, VQ CarFinder notes the loss of the Bluetooth signal and stores the last GPS waypoint as the location of the parked car.

The VQ Bluetooth Car Charger comes with both micro-USB and mini-USB adapters and works with all BlackBerry smartphone models.

"Everyone has a story about forgetting where they parked and being stressed out by it," Mr. Korn said. "It happens all the time, like when people are talking on their cell phone, when they're running late for a meeting, or when their kids are screaming in the back seat.

"VQ CarFinder automatically remembers where you parked and guides you back to your car, so it removes this stress from your life," he said. "There are a number of basic apps for noting where you parked your car but, unlike VQ CarFinder, they all require you to have the presence of mind to launch the app when you park, every time you park."

The company is giving a free trial so people have an opportunity to "test drive" VQ CarFinder

Consumers can download VQ CarFinder from BlackBerry App World, the VQ CarFinder site at http://www.4carfinder.com, http://www.Download.com, http://www.CrackBerry.com, GetJar and other online application stores.

Distribution with a few of the major carriers on their App Stores is also in the process of being set up.

Additionally, there is the "Lost My Car" contest, which give consumers the opportunity to win a BlackBerry.

People can send in a video or email their worst "Lost My Car" story.

The Grand Prize winners will each receive a BlackBerry. Honorable mentions will receive BlackBerry Accessory Gift ecards.

XPressions has also launched a video on YouTube (www.youtube.com/4carfinder), a fan club on Facebook (log in then search for VQ CarFinder) and the company is active on Twitter.

"I see Mobile as being beyond empowering, and I think we're only seeing the beginning of what mobile can do," Mr. Korn said. "Smartphones have become much more affordable and are now within reach of most of the market, and the firepower that smartphones have creates a whole new world for consumers and developers.

"With features like GPS rapidly becoming commonplace, applications like VQ CarFinder can now serve the needs of a much larger market," he said. "Couple this with App Stores giving developers and consumers easy access to one another on a near-global scale (and developers receiving a sizeable chunk of the revenue pie), and you have a market that is ripe for continued explosive growth and innovation."