RT30 Roadtreking RV Podcast: Like Apples to Androids – Comparing Top Mobile Platforms for RVers

As you spend more and more time on the road – either full-timing or heading into the brunt of the travel season – you're going be relying on your mobile devices to stay in touch and that raises one big question: should RVers use smartphones and tablets running the Apple or Android platform?

Apple offers iOS and that's the system behind iPhones. Android is the Google-based platform used on devices made by the likes of Samsung.

And sure, you can make calls and use the Internet with both just fine – but it's the nuances that will probably have top mobile platform RVers differ from one person to the next.

That's why for the big, 30th(!!) episode of the Roadtreking RV Lifestyle podcast, we talk to Paul Ulreich, the Verizon Wireless “Uber User” on choosing between Android and Apple. Among other things, we talk:

• What platform is simpler?
• What platform is more flexible?
• What platform is better for listening to podcasts?
• What platform is best for listening to audiobooks?
• Best for app use?
• Which platform is winning the overall war?

Also on this episode we offer up a great excuse to go camping this month – International Dark Sky Week, an event aimed at getting people outside and marveling at the night sky.

Plus, we have lots of listener feedback, RV News and a great bucket list RV destination – in fact, it was ranked the best destination in a recent poll!

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Complete shownotes for episode 30 of the Roadtreking RV Lifestyle podcast

Listener Question: Can You Make the Roadtreking Podcast Longer?

A listener named Mike advocates for a longer podcast. He loves the hour-long format. We're delighted, because we love doing these shows. We tell him how he can find a list of all the Roadtreking RV podcasts we do at https://rvlifestyle.com/category/podcasts/

Listener Question: Looking for State-by-State Camping Info – Help!

Bob checks in asking for how to find state-by-state camping info. We tell him where to find it, on the blog and our Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/roadtreking/

Listener Question: I Need Help With These Mosquitoes!

Listener Darlene has an older Roadtrek on the Chevrolet chassis and is looking for screens because “mosquitoes are coming!” We tell her about the “Skeeter Beaters” window screens at https://roadtrekingstore.com/skbervwisc.html  

Listener Question: Tell Me More Volunteering While RVing

Vinnie from Long Island wants to get an RV soon and is offering to be a volunteer driver for those needing a helping hand. We urge him to check with the Family Motor Coach Association at https://fmca.com 

Listener Question: Tell Me More About Your Dash Cam

Kathy asks about the Windshield Witness camera we use as a dash cam to record our travels, asking if users should hide it at night. I tell her I leave mine in and on all the time, using it as a security camera. https://rvlifestyle.com/windshieldwitness

RV News of the Week: Parks in Wrong Place, Battery Breakthrough, Dark Sky Week

Are National Parks in the Wrong Place?

There’s a lot of grumbling from some conservation groups that America’s National Parks are putting too much emphasis on the wrong animals in the wrong places… neglecting endangered species not as sexy as moose, bear and wolves.

A new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds there is a mismatch between the lands incorporated into protected areas and the habitats of the estimated 1,000 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and plants most in need of protection. Most protected lands are in the West, the authors said, while many of these species are found in the Southeast and the southern Appalachians, which lack adequate protections.

The study calls for increased levels of protection for the Blue Ridge Mountains, Tennessee, Alabama, northern Georgia watersheds, the Florida panhandle and the Florida Keys. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/protected-areas-united-states-endangered-species/

Aluminum battery breakthrough?

Thanks to listener Darryl Defreeze for passing along this story: There’s an ultra-fast charging aluminium battery that has a lot of people very excited.

Stanford University scientists have invented the first high-performance aluminum battery that's fast-charging, long-lasting and inexpensive. Researchers say the new technology offers a safe alternative to many commercial batteries in wide use today.

They are also is fast charging. Smartphone owners know that it can take hours to charge a lithium-ion battery. But the Stanford team reported “unprecedented charging times” of down to one minute with the aluminum prototype.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2015-04-ultra-fast-aluminum-battery-safe-alternative.html#jCp

Get ready for International Dark Sky Week …

This has grown to become a worldwide event and a key component of Global Astronomy Month. Many parks and outsoor areas around the world are holding special events aimed at raising awareness about light pollution and inspiring people to enjoy the beauty of the night sky.

In Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources today announced that many Michigan state parks will celebrate International Dark Sky Week (April 13-18) by staying open late for night sky viewing. A total of 29 state parks are participating and will remain open late for this national event, providing stellar night sky viewing opportunities around the state. Some parks also will host astronomy- themed events that focus on the night sky. You can learn more at http://www.darksky.org/

Jennifer and I will be going Saturday, April 18, at 9 p.m., to the Lake Hudson Recreation Area (Lenawee County) – the only designated Dark Sky Preserve in southern Michigan for a night of stargazing and stories. For details, contact the park at 517-445-2265. We’ll be camping for the night.

Traveling Tech: Best for RVing: Android or Apple?

Our main interview is with Paul Ulreich, the Verizon Wireless “Uber User” on choosing between Android and Apple: How RVers can choose the best mobile platform for their travel lifestyle.

This segment of the podcast is brought to you by Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.

IndyCar season is officially here and Verizon is giving fans another reason to rejoice! The all-new INDYCAR 15 app has arrived just in time for the start of the Verizon IndyCar Series racing season.

Available on iOS and Android devices, IndyCar fans won’t miss any of the action—on or off the track—with the app’s updated features and design.

With the app, all INDYCAR fans (regardless of their wireless carrier) will have access to their favorite teams and drivers, views of real-time leader boards and the ability to view race schedules, results, standings, highlights and more!

But that’s not all! The app puts Verizon customers in the driver’s seat with access to exclusive content, including live in-car camera video streaming, live driver and pit crew conversations, plus INDYCAR radio broadcast streaming.

Get in the action and download the all-new INDYCAR 15 app today!

And, visit Roadtreking.com/vzw for stories about how technology can enhance and improve your life.

RV Bucket Destination List: Letchworth State Park (New York)

Last month, I was a judge in a contest run by USA Today charged with making a list of the top state parks in America. With my four fellow judges, we came up with a list of the Top 20. Then it was up to readers of USA Today to pick the best.

The results are in: New York’s Letchworth State Park was voted America’s Top State Park.

Here's my review from a visit last summer: https://rvlifestyle.com/letchworth-state-park-voted-best-in-nation/

Get a Free Audiobook from Audible.com

We also have news on how you can get a FREE audiobook download and 30-day free trial at www.audibletrial.com/roadtreking. Audible offers over 150,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, Kindle or mp3 player. For listeners of the Roadtreking podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook download with a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service. To download your free audiobook today, go to audibletrial.com/roadtreking.

Please Subscribe and Give Us a Rating and Review!

Many listeners are asking how they can subscribe, review and rate the Roadtreking Podcast on iTunes. With a new podcast like this, those reviews and ratings are really important to be able to show well in the iTunes listings. So if you can, I’d sure appreciate it if you’d subscribe and leave me your review.

Here’s how:

First, open up the iTunes app on your computer or mobile device. Click on Podcasts up on the top
> From the iTunes Podcasts page, use the “Search Store” field up at the top right corner of the page. Type in Mike Wendland or Roadtreking RV Podcast.
> Click on the logo image of the Roadtreking RV Podcast on the search return page
> From there (see photo above), you can…

1) Subscribe

2) Choose and Click on a star (1-5) that reflects your rating. Five stars means you really like it, one star not so much.

3) Leave a written review.

Thanks to all for the kind reviews we’ve received so far. That got us noticed by Apple/iTunes as “New and Noteworthy.” I appreciate every review!

And remember, you can appear in future episodes. Ask a question or voice your comments about RV topics by clicking the Leave Voicemail tab on the right side of this page here at Roadtreking.com. You can then use the microphone on your computer to record your words.

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