Chinese pod for Android and other questions

I just downloaded the Android App to my phone.  It is amazing.  Now I won't have any excuses for not studying!!  The intermediate lessons are much harder than the elementary lessons but don't worry, I'll get through them.

I have 2 questions so far.

1.What does ru2guo3 mean?  I think it means something like "you could say..." but not sure

2. What is the difference between "hai2shi4" and "huo4zhe3"?  Are they the same meaning?