Out Box Communications

Happy Selfie Day! ROANOKE, Va. (June 21, 2016) – Nearly everyone carries a digital camera in his or her pocket capable of creating higher resolution photos than expensive digital SLR cameras sold a dozen years ago. According to a recent U.S. Cellular survey,* 81 percent of smartphone owners take photos with their device and a growing number (65 percent) are using their devices to access social media on a daily basis, allowing them to share those images with friends and family.    Yet even with the availability of smart devices such as Apple’s iPhone 6s, Samsung’s Galaxy 7 and LG’s G5, and tablets such as the various iPads and Samsung Galaxy Tabs, that are packed with high resolution cameras and software to improve picture-taking, all too often the results could be better. “Technological improvements in the past few years have transformed photography for the masses much the same way George Eastman’s Kodak Brownie cameras did at the turn of the 20 th

  Internet Safety Month Serves as Reminder for Parents to Foster Behavior that Leads to Safe Online Experiences ROANOKE, Va. (June 13, 2016) –The Internet can be intimidating with headlines about hackers, cyberbullying and phishing scams. June is National Internet Safety Month, giving parents the opportunity to talk to their kids about these issues and the importance of safe Internet use. According to a 2015 Pew Research Center study, 92 percent of teens report going online daily, with 24 percent noting they go online “almost constantly.” While devices such as the iPhone 6s and iPad Pro help families feel secure and stay connected, users of these high-tech devices need to know how to avoid compromising their personal safety online, and parents can play a key role in guiding mobile usage. According to a recent U.S. Cellular survey 1 , the average age a child is getting their first phone is 13, with safety cited as the main reason. Seventy percent of respo

  ROANOKE, Va. (May 23, 2016) – With Memorial Day at the end of the week and AAA predicting a record 38 million* people packing their bags to kick off the summer travel season-- things may get a little hectic. This year, smartphone users are putting wireless devices to work to simplify their journey and keep on schedule. In fact, using these devices for travel purposes is on the rise. According to a recent U.S. Cellular survey, 76 percent¹ of smartphone owners used their phone to assist them while traveling in 2015, up from 68 percent in 2014. “People can manage transportation, lodging, adventures and meals from the palm of their hand,” said Nathan Waddell, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in Mid-South, “U.S. Cellular provides access to high-quality networks that keeps people connected in their backyard and across the country, while giving them up-to-the-minute knowledge to make more informed decisions and avoid travel hassles.” Although inconveniences like traffi

$1 million donation with Boys & Girls Clubs of America will support academic success programs ROANOKE/CHRISTIANSBURG -- U.S. Cellular and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia announced a donation of $5,000 for 2016 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming.   This contribution will expand its programming to help area students in Roanoke, Christiansburg and the New River Valley succeed in school and prepare for future careers. Together with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), U.S. Cellular is committed to building better communities by championing K-12 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educational programs. This is the second year U.S. Cellular will support academic programming through the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia and more than 57 additional Club locations   across the country this year, with an emphasis on promoting literacy, STEM learning, and career exploration and preparation. “U.S. Cellul

RICHWOOD, W. Va.  – Richwood Middle School in Nicholas County received more than $600 for technology needs through U.S. Cellular’s “Community Connections” program.  Richwood Middle School signed up to receive sponsorship dollars from U.S. Cellular at www.pearup.com/uscellular and then rallied their neighbors, friends and family to earn points that were converted into money for iPad devices. “Organizations like Richwood Middle School are at the heart of our communities. By ensuring they have the necessary tools and resources to provide meaningful opportunities for our youth, we are investing in our future,” said Brandi McCune, area sales manager for U.S. Cellular. “Community Connections” is in its second consecutive year, and is an exclusive collaboration between U.S. Cellular and Pear, an online platform that connects local brands with local community needs. Last year, U.S. Cellular provided $295,000 in sponsorships to more than 700 local school groups and youth sports teams throug

Remembering a dog’s name, 12345 or password123! is easy, but when it comes to protecting valuable information, those passwords share common patterns, creating vulnerability across the various accounts we all use every day. While many accounts are requiring stronger passwords with a combination of letters, numbers and characters, 59 percent of adults admit to reusing passwords due to the difficulty remembering them, according to a Harris Interactive survey. When using the same few passwords across countless accounts, ranging from the ones that need to be most secure, like bank and credit cards, to social media sites or free subscriptions, users are asking for trouble. If one account gets hacked, all accounts sharing the same password and email are at much greater risk. Keeping accounts safe is simple for those who have no trouble creating and recalling complex passwords and can remember to change them every few months. However for many, that’s no easy task. Fortunately, wit