Although the price of airfare has dropped significantly in recent years, many people still prefer to travel by car. Road trips offers travelers the opportunity to experience a variety of sights and landmarks close-up along the way, rather than to simply view them from a distance. From travel-focused mobile apps to in-car technology, the following explores some of the best travel technology available for you to use on your next road trip. 1. TuneIn Radio For long car rides, listening to music from a preset playlist can become repetitive after a while. TuneIn Radio provides you with access to more than 100,000 international radio stations, so the chances that you will become bored are virtually non-existent. From podcasts to concerts to talk shows, there’s likely something to entertain every traveler in the car. The TuneIn radio mobile app is available for Android, iPhone, Blackberry, and Windows smartphones. 2. GlympseWith the majority of people carrying smartphones nowadays, texting and driving has become a major safety issue. Texting and driving is not only dangerous, but it is also illegal in the majority of states. Glympse solves the problem by automatically sharing your location with friends and family, which is particularly helpful when you are sticking to a group itinerary. In order to maintain your privacy, Glympse only sends your GPS location to pre-selected contacts at regular intervals of your choice. This keeps your attention on the road rather than on updating your travel partners via text. Glympse is a free download available for Android and iPhone devices. 3. In-Vehicle TechnologyWith more than 1 billion vehicles on the road, safety has never been a higher priority. Technology has also increased consumers’ demand for more sophisticated safety and entertainment features integrated into their vehicles. The Open Automotive Alliance brings technology and automakers together in order to provide a safe, easy-to-use in-vehicle experience. Many newer model cars have successfully incorporated technology through mobile apps and interactive touch screens. From Apple CarPlay to automaker-specific built-in apps, these cars now have voice capabilities that can be used for everything from making reservations at a favorite restaurant to accessing complex GPS systems. More auto manufacturers are getting on board with in-car technology, and Mercedes-Benz, Honda, and Audi are among the front-runners of this type of technology. For road trips, this technology will not only make your trip more enjoyable, but you will likely find the features extremely useful in terms of trip planning. Many in-car systems allow you to gauge fuel levels, as well as to locate gas stations and lodging, along with a host of other helpful functions. 4. My Scenic DrivesWhile GPS technology continues to evolve, there are still some limitations to most location-based mobile map applications. When taking a road trip, the fastest route isn’t always the most desirable, and many map applications fail to account for those who wish to take the scenic route. That’s where My Scenic Drives comes in. Through My Scenic Drives, you simply enter the zip code of your current location, or you can search by state and the specific landmark you want to see. My Scenic Drive then gives you an optimized route that will put you on the direct path to experience national parks, local attractions, historical sites, and more. My Scenic Drives can be accessed on the web, which enables you to use it on any smartphone, regardless of the operating system. 5. Geo GuesserFor passengers in a car, coming up with ways to stay engaged and entertained can be tricky. Geo Guesser is a mobile game that presents you with Google Street View images of nearby areas, then requires you to guess their location. The images, which could be street signs or famous landmarks, can be played alone or with multiple players. Additionally, the settings can be manipulated to focus on certain geographical areas, cities, or countries. Geo Guesser currently only has a dedicated iPhone mobile app, but it can also be accessed from the mobile web with any smartphone or cellular-connected tablet. These are just a few of the technological advancements that can make your next road trip safer and more enjoyable than ever. It’s important that you get some practice in using these apps prior to setting off on a trip in order to become familiar with the features of each one. This will not only save you time during your trip, but it will also eliminate the frustration of trying to master new technology while on the road and minimize distractions. If you are traveling with other people, you may also want to help them to become familiar with the technology so that they can assist you while you drive. Comments are closed.
|
AuthorBruce Eaton is the president and chief executive officer of i2 Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a hit discovery and lead optimization technology provider serving clients in the pharmaceutical industry. Categories
All
|