RT56 The Connected RV and the Future of the Internet

Wait until you hear how you'll be soon using the Internet in your RV! After lots of interesting reader questions, comments, tips and RV news, we do some visioneering about what's just over the horizon in terms of the Internet and RVing. Our special guest of Paul Ulreich, the "Uber User" from Verizon Wireless. Paul has been involved in the Internet and cellular technology for two decades and in a wide-ranging conversation, he talks with Mike about RVing and its role in the iOT - the Internet of Things. Besides looking at what is possible now, the two talk about: The Connected RV - How RVers will connect to their home in powerful new ways and how, though apps, they can connect to their RV when out and about 5G LTE - faster than 4G and about to be tested for the first time Cellular to satellite Internet broadcasts - Google is already testing this How technology has changed in the last five years But before talking with Paul, Mike and Jennifer answer reader questions and share information about: How to diagnose and fix a common error problem with RV refrigerators How to fix RV window blinds that start to sag How Android users can automatically get podcasts like iPhone users do In Jennifer's Tip of the Week, we learn about ways we can turn those photos we take on the road into postcards and have them printed, with a message, and mailed out, all online We review bluetooth speakers perfect for RVing and we have an off the beaten path report from Northwestern Michigan, where fall colors are no reaching the spectacular stage [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #56 Oct. 7, 2015 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: First Things First: Getting Ready to Hit the Road Again Mike and Jennifer Wendland kick off the show by talking about where they are headed for their next trip - the Headlands International Dark Sky Park in northern Michigan. You can read more about it here: http://www.midarkskypark.org/  They also recap their travel year thus far and how the rest of 2015 is shaping up. [spp-timestamp time="2:58"] Jennifer's Tip of the Week: How to Make and Send Postcards Jennifer's Tip of the Week for episode 56 is all about postcards. [spp-timestamp time="6:25"] Specifically, how grateful she and Mike are for everyone sending postcards to help their grandson, Jacob, with a school project. It opened their eyes, too, to how hard it is to find postcards these days. They also learned about two online sites to create and send postcards: Postino: This is an app that works with your smartphone and creates postcards using your photos. You select the photo and then write a message that will appear on the back. You enter the address where you want it to go and then, for $1.83 a postcard, the service will actually print out a real postcard with your photo and message and put it in the mail. Postino is available for iOS, Android, and Windows. Touchnote: This option is Web-based. Select a photo from your files on your computer, add a message and postal address and it will print and mail them for you.  The cost is $1.99 a card so for a a dollar or so more than the cost of a stamp, you get to use your own photo and have it printed, stamped and mailed out for you. Listener Question: How Can I Fix My RV's Window Shades? A listener named Angelina checks in from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and wants to let everyone know about the great Eclipse Sun Shades she keeps seeing RVers using. Here's a link to the company's website: http://www.eclipsesunshades.net/ She also is looking for suggestions for RV shades that are sagging. Mike offers some suggestions, including a Pleated Shade First Aid Kit on Amazon for $15 (http://amzn.to/1QWH8KK) It lets you bring any pleated shade back to life with its restringing kit. Here’s a website that has other suggestions http://www.venetianblindparts.com/faqs.htm#Creeping_or_Sagging [spp-timestamp time="10:25"] Listener Question: How Do I Listen to Podcasts on an Android Device?