Travel and Car Care Tech

Traveling by automobile in the not so distant past meant leaving it all behind. A pic-a-nic basket full of sandwiches, a thermos full of lemonade, and maybe a beach ball—and travel was go! A full tank of gas and paper map that never folded back the way it was before it got opened meant usually arriving at an intended destination. Sometimes this traveling strategy resulted in taking an unintended scenic route, and ending up getting lost. Carefree motoring indeed.


Times have of course changed. In the ever and always interconnected world of today, getting into the family car for travel means taking it all and then some along for the trip. In addition to the beach ball are in-seat or portable DVD players for the kids and enough wireless communication devices, personal data assistants, video games and music players to require all manner of onboard power adapters. Modern motoring has without question become more complicated. With these added layers of digital complexity come some new solutions to old automotive travel problems.

Lost No More
While some may look at the increased reliance of technology as a bane on the true meaning of the automobile and getting away from it all, the best kind of technology does more to help than hurt. At the very least, attempting to get that paper map to fold back up into the glove box may soon be a quaint part of a previous generation of flummoxed motorists. Thanks to GPS and navigation systems that digitally unfold maps on a screen before ones eyes, the days of getting lost while out for a drive may be also be numbered. Built-in or aftermarket standalone GPS units can help with providing destination directions, and even finding a restaurant or museum along the way. Even small screens on web-enabled cell phones and mobile devices are now an invaluable part of travel by car or truck. These same devices can even be used to help keep your vehicle running strong and safe.

Automotive Podcasting
Everything from simple yet useful map displays to audio or video podcasts on how to jumpstart a dead battery or change a flat tire are available at the touch of a video-enabled cell phone or even iPod button. This Information is easier to access than ever before thanks to the growing reach and open information of the World Wide Web. Podcast is a word originally used to define an audio broadcast that could be downloaded to an iPod or similar device. The contraction of iPod and broadcast brought the word podcast into the language. The best way to think of a video podcast is as a television show that can be viewed at any time without having to be there in front of a television. Thousands of video podcasts are available for download and later on-demand viewing on a computer or web-enabled mobile device. Subscribing to video feeds via a mobile device is free of charge in many cases.

Take Your Choice
Everything from how-to step-by-steps to educational explorations into maintaining hybrid vehicles or safe travel tips can be viewed for whenever and wherever preferred. Download and view on demand, watch on a web enabled mobile device or iPod, and even subscribe to monthly educational video clinics free of any charge except the desire to learn. Even old dogs can learn new tricks if they're willing to open up their minds again. Learning to the Do-It-Yourselfer goes hand in hand with the sense of accomplishment gained after getting the job done right yourself. With the easy access and on-demand availability of educational and entertaining information online, even those who have never turned a wrench will be replacing batteries and changing belts in no time at all! Knowledge can help even if maintaining your own automobile isn't your thing. Learning how things work under the hood can help open clearer communication with your mechanic if and when problems do arise. Technology that helps and even educates is technology we can all use.