How to Stay Connected to Your Online Social Life & Technology While on the Road

With the summertime in full swing for countless Americans, freeways, highways and byways have become jammed with travelers seeking every destination imaginable. And whether they're planning on a weeklong vacation at the beach or just relaxing with family and friends, one thing is certain: they will all be finding ways to maintain their online social lives - checking e-mail, accessing Facebook, MySpace and Twitter and even performing a few business transactions here and there.

But the average American road travelers often have one more thing in common: they each struggle to master the technology needed to do much of the aforementioned. Hi-tech cell phones and PDAs with Internet access, on-the-go laptop mobile Internet cards and a host of other devices can be downright confusing. So if you're wondering what you can do to keep up with your online life while on the road or in rural areas, check out the following advice, tips, suggestions and details on a few pieces of easy-to-use technology:

1. Utilize Mobile Internet & MediaNet on Cell Phones: BlackBerrys, iPhones, etc.

Modern cell phones have come a long way indeed from their predecessors. With the advent of mobile Internet connection via your phone's signal, you can now access all of your web-related material on-the-go.

a. BlackBerry Users

If you own a BlackBerry (particularly a Curve model), your device will come standard with what is called MediaNet. The feature is designated on most models by a blue Earth icon, surrounded by an orange arrow. This form of Internet connection will allow you to access certain web sites via your cell phone signal. Unfortunately, if you are in a poor signal area, your connection will either be slow or nonexistent.

You should additionally be aware that the majority of web sites accessible to BlackBerry's MediaNet are those sites who have set up mobile phone viewing versions of their site. Many national and international sites, such as FOX News, CNN and sites like Google and Yahoo! have mobile sites. In fact, the BlackBerry MediaNet's homepage will likely be its Yahoo! edition, which includes a Yahoo! search box, your local weather, news and news categories. However, a less well known site may be slow at loading or unable to load at all if it does not have a mobile version.

b. iPhone Users

Unlike the BlackBerry, Apple's line of iPhones, the most recent of which recently debuted as the iPhone 4, have faster and more wide-ranging Internet access. With its signature Safari® browser, the most advanced mobile browser on the market, you can now have all of the style, speed, convenience, clarity, colors and luxuries of your Apple laptop or notebook on your iPhone. The iPhone is more than capable of allowing you to view any and every webpage in its original form. There's need to worry about a site having a mobile version. So logging into your social networking accounts is easier than ever. Not to mention downloading apps, playing music, text messaging and taking and uploading photos with its 5-megapixel camera.

2. Purchase a Phone with Mobile Hot Spot Capabilities

If you wish to avoid the sometimes-slow connections of mobile Internet based on phone signals, look into purchasing a phone that features a mobile hotspot. Many of the new PalmPre® models boast this useful option. If you've ever accessed the Internet on your laptop or cell phone via a wireless (wi-fi) signal, you will understand how this works. Think of the phone as your Internet cable box and router at home. The phone creates its own wireless signal (like your box) and then sends out through the air (like your router).

This feature is handy for those of you who wish to access the Internet via your laptops while on-the-road or in rural areas where you may be vacationing. Thanks to your phones mobile hot spot, you can hop online on your lap top by connecting to the phone's wireless Internet signal. Of course, you could always surf the Web on the phone itself. But sometimes it's nice to break out your laptop for certain types of work.

3. Purchase a DC-AC Power Inverter to Charge your AC Devices in the Car

These devices are simply too useful to pass up. And for prices between $20 and $40, they are well worth the investment. Granted, the majority of cell phone users across the U.S. already utilize AC adaptors for charging their mobile devices via their car's cigarette lighters. But many are unaware they can do the same thing with their laptops. These adaptors are outfitted with the DC tip at one end (for inserting into the cigarette lighter) and an AC power socket at the other, just like a wall socket electrical outlet you would use in your home.

Enercell® is a great name brand to consider for such a device. A standard 75 watt should do the trick for most laptop battery needs. Most Enercell® adapters additionally comes standard with a USB port, which is handy for charging devices such as iPods and MP3 players that require such a port. Enercell® adapters are available at most Radio Shack® and Best Buy® locations. I personally suggest the Enercell® 75W 12VDC to 115VAC Power Inverter, which will run you around $29.99. It is also available for purchase online here: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3875385.

So this summer, don't let cramped car space and a fear of expensive or confusing technology get in the way of staying active online. Check out the three aforementioned tips and suggestions and you'll be on your way toward Internet activity while on-the-go. And who wouldn't like to have that option at their fingertips?