What technology? How technological gadgets can make traveling easier

Sent: May 27, 2024, 12:13 pm ET

By
News from the 8 WAKA campaign

By JAMIE TUCKER, consumer technology reporter

With each holiday, more and more people travel.

For example, approximately 44 million people are expected to travel this year on Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA. This is the second highest Memorial Day traffic forecast on record, at least since AAA began forecasting travel.

As usual, the vast majority of travelers will be on highways, so you can expect more traffic jams, crowded roadside restaurants, higher gas prices and more traffic on cell towers.

But don’t worry, I have some tech tips that will make your journey smoother.

First, download these essential apps:

● GasBuddy: This app helps you find the cheapest gas in your area. It is user-friendly and provides accurate prices in real time.
● Waze: Forget about Apple Maps. Waze is a navigation app that you can use on trips. It offers real-time traffic updates, accident reports, and even fun voice options for kids.
● iExit: This app is the favorite app of people who drive RVs. Shows on a map what is available at each exit. For example, if you’ve ever decided to “settle in” at a restaurant because you don’t know what else is nearby, iExit shows you what awaits you the next few times you go out.

Then pack these goodies:

● Earphones or headsets: Keep your passengers entertained and avoid distractions while riding in the backseat.
● Fast charger: USB ports in the car are slow. A fast charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket is essential to keep your devices powered.
● Portable batteries: a lifesaver when you need to charge multiple devices.

Finally, a cell dead zone tip: instruct everyone to turn airplane mode on for a second and then turn it off. This forces the phones to find the nearest base station, which usually solves the problem.

With these tech travel tips, you’re ready for a fantastic trip! Safe travels!