Out Box Communications

40 percent of smartphone users would rather go a day without water than be without their phone Summer is a time when school is out and Americans venture outdoors to escape the heat at a local beach, pool or lake, take a vacation to their favorite campsite or explore an unseen location. However, outdoor activities often require unique safety precautions to protect against heat exhaustion, sunburn, dehydration, swimming accidents and other hazards. No doubt, smartphones will be in tow and utilized to enhance outdoor experiences. So, just like precautions are taken for personal and family safety, U.S. Cellular recommends specific device care for water and heat exposure. “It’s smart to protect devices during outdoor activities, and to be prepared with a plan to recover and restore an iPhone 7, Samsung Galaxy S8 or any other device,” said Nathan Waddell, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in the Mid-South, “If a device is damaged by heat or water, there’s a risk that contacts, photos

Back-to-school shopping can be one of the family’s biggest retail expenditures every year, outside of Halloween and Christmas, especially when kids are heading off to college. Money is often set aside for the published school list of pencils, folders, notebooks, highlighters and such; but rarely do parents count the total cost of expenditures in terms of books, student fees, electronics, clothing, communications, food/beverages/meals, housing, transportation and more. Last year $75.8 Billion was spent on school and college costs! Sixty-five percent of back-to-school shoppers begin more than a month before school starts. Clothing, electronic and supplies are in high demand the final weeks before classes begin. This can leave parents asking, "Where exactly does all of that money go? Has it always been like this? And where can I find some relief in my wallet?" These questions are answered by the data crunchers at http://www.moneychoice.org/school-budget/ along with some ba

U.S. Cellular Survey Shows Users and Those Around Them Have Different Opinions With the newest technology right at our fingertips, it can be easy to get caught up in the virtual world instead of staying in the present. While smartphone reliance increases, so does the importance of phone etiquette. This Cellphone Courtesy Month, U.S. Cellular is sharing its research findings that shed light on America’s most frequent and annoying cellphone habits, in order to help raise awareness of cellphone courtesy. According to a recent U.S. Cellular survey¹, 56 percent of smartphone owners believe that no one gets upset at them for their phone use, however, 71 percent of the same people get upset at others. In honor of Cell Phone Courtesy Month this July, U.S. Cellular is pointing out some of the top offending habits and some tips for practicing good cellphone etiquette. • Using the phone while driving: Not only is using a phone while driving a basic annoyance for 83 percent of smartp

The selfie craze has swept the nation and everyone from tweens to grandparents are regularly posting pictures of themselves on social media. The trend is so hot that there is even a national day to celebrate the phenomenon: June 21. And according to a recent U.S. Cellular survey, more than two thirds of wireless users (71 percent) keep themselves entertained by taking photos and posting (67 percent) on social media¹. “We’ve all become enamored with capturing moments and uploading life events on social media platforms, but it can take practice to capture the perfect picture,” said Nathan Waddell, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in the Mid-South, “To get the best shots, it is a good idea to consider lighting, angles, poses and accessories. There are even some great apps that allow you to edit or add special effects to your photos.” U.S. Cellular recommends the following tips for selfie-takers: • Get a smartphone with a good quality camera. When it comes to mobile devices, not

The Internet is constantly evolving, as are the devices used to access it. High-tech smartphone and tablet users need to know how to avoid compromising their personal information online. Thus, there are many ways that individuals can safely use today’s technology. “As people continue to utilize smartphones, such as the iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S8, for online purchases and other activities where security is paramount, it is important that they know how to stay safe and secure online,” said Nathan Waddell, U.S. Cellular’s director of sales for U.S. Cellular in the Mid-South. “We want to be a resource for customers, and we encourage safe online habits to reduce privacy risks.” In honor of Internet Safety Month in June, U.S. Cellular offers the following online and wireless device tips: • Password Protection – First and foremost, smartphones can be locked to require a pin or fingerprint to do anything other than dial 911. It is also valuable to have pins or passwords on any down

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