Phone Security

Hello! Another week has passed and as always there is a lot of Android news this week, but I am going to talk about something that hasn't been in the news lately, unless you are an Androidaholic!

  I am talking about mobile security for your Android powered US Cellular phone. Now there are differing schools of thought on this subject but I personally see no harm in having a security app on your mobile device just as you do on your home computer. 

  Here again there are several different types and levels of security, so I will list some from basic anti-virus to full blown security suites.

  First is AVG Mobilation, it is a fairly well rounded anti virus app for Android. 

 AVG Antivirus for Smartphones & Tablets detects harmful apps & text messages

AVG Mobilation™ AntiVirus Free for Android™ is a mobile security solution that helps protect your mobile device from viruses, malware, spyware & online exploitation in real-time.

Download AVG Mobilation™ today for free and:
√ Scan apps, settings, files, and media in real time
√ Find/locate your lost or stolen phone via Google Maps™
√ Lock and wipe your device to protect your privacy
√ Kill tasks that slow your mobile device
√ Browse the Web safely and securely
√ Monitor battery, storage and mobile data package usage on your device

AVG Mobilation Antivirus Free – mobile security software for Android. Keep your device safe with just one click!

With the AVG Mobilation security product for Android you’ll receive effective, easy-to-use virus and malware protection, as well as a real-time app scanner, phone locator, task killer, app locker, and local device wipe to help shield you from threats to your privacy and online identity.
Real-time security scanner protection keeps you protected no matter how or from where you download your apps or games.

Another is avast! Mobile Security, which is a little more of a full blown security app.

The MAIN FEATURES

• NEW Network Meter: Measures incoming/outgoing data transfers.

• NEW Widget: Let’s you control the app from your Android desktop.

• NEW Web Interface: Control remotely with anti-theft features (phone lock, GPS tracking, memory wipe, etc.).

• NEW SiteCorrect: Automatically fixes mistyped URLs.

• NEW Shield Control: Advanced settings of the app, web, and messages scanning.

• IMPROVED UI Design: Better readability on tablets.

• Antivirus: Scans installed apps and memory card content on-demand and each new app upon first use.

• Privacy Report: Scans and displays access rights and intents of installed apps.

• SMS/Call Filtering: Filters out particular contacts that you select.

• Anti-Theft: Hidden component that gives you remote control via SMS or Web (lock, locate, siren, memory wipe, etc.).

• App Manager: Lists apps and their sizes (MB), CPU load, memory used, etc.

• Web Shield: Scans each URL that loads and warns you if it’s malware-infected.

• Battery Save: Runs only when performing tasks.

• Firewall (works on rooted phones only): Serves as gatekeeper for network traffic.

And then there is the security app I use, Webroot, which in addition to protecting you smartphone, it also allows you to block phone numbers and text messages.

  Key Features & Benefits:

THE BEST ANTIVIRUS FOR ANDROID:
• Automatically scans your apps and files for viruses, spyware, Trojans
• Antivirus security shields block malware before it has a chance to install
• Alerts you when your device and settings are vulnerable to attack
SECURE WEB BROWSING:
• Automatically scans web links and URLs to block phishing and other harmful content
LOST DEVICE PROTECTION:
• Remote Access – Use your Mobile Security Website (https://mobile.webroot.com/auth/login) or another mobile device to remotely lock, wipe, or locate your device
• Device Lock – Remotely locks your device if it’s lost or stolen*
• Device Wipe – Remotely wipes your contacts, text messages, other personal information* (Premier Feature)
• Device Scream – Sounds an alert to help you locate your device nearby
• Device Locate – See your device’s location on a map*
• SIM Card Lock – Automatically locks device when your SIM card is removed* (Premier Feature)
CALL/SMS BLOCKING:
• Spam blocking – Blocks text spam and unwanted calls
• Virus blocking – Automatically blocks messages containing malicious URLs (Premier Feature)
APP INSPECTOR (Premier Feature):
• Scans all apps and identifies those that can:
o Access to your Email/SMS messages
o Cost you money
o Access sensitive information
o Track your location
o Drain your battery
• Battery Monitor provides battery status and power usage by apps (Premier Feature):
• Network Monitor provides details of apps that are accessing the network (Premier Feature):
SUPPORT:
• Please join us on the Webroot Mobile forum, submit any questions and product feedbackhttp://forums.webroot.com
FOOTPRINT:
• Runs quietly in the background
• Light on device memory and battery utilization
• Checks for security updates automatically to ensure latest antivirus and security protection

Best in Mobile Security, Android Security, app security

As always if you are interested in switching to US Cellular or have questions regarding Android or any of the apps mentioned in this blog, feel free to message me through Google+ or in the comments sections. 

John USCC Customer Crew Member 

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Caller ID

  Hello again. Are you looking for a new caller ID app for your US Cellular Android powered phone? Let me suggest "Current Caller ID". I just recently found this app so this will not be much of a review, but more of a overview of the app.
  ID unknown calls & texts, enhance Caller ID with Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Get Call, Text and Social ID all in one app with Current Caller ID by WhitePages! 
  Over 300 million home, business and mobile phone numbers identified free, from the #1 and most trusted people directory.

Stay in the know with those you are closest to - Current Caller ID brings in the latest social updates from your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn friends. Don’t miss an update from your mom because that guy you went to high school with keeps posting about his breakfast on Facebook.

Being up to date makes conversations easier and more fun, so we’ve also included local news and weather for your top contacts, even if they’re not keen on the social networks.

Caller ID is no longer just about a name.

- Stay up-to-date effortlessly with social and local information for each caller and texter
- One app manages all your calls and texts and contacts with Frequent and Recent lists.
- ID incoming and outgoing numbers, including Businesses and Cell Phones*
- Fun infographics about your calling and texting habits with friends and family
- Frequent Caller Widget puts your favorite people a tap away

The neat thing about this app is that you not only get the caller, texter's ID, but you also get the contacts Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter status.

If you have any questions about Android or need help switching to US Cellular message me through Google+ or leave a comment below. 

John USCC Customer Crew Member.

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Twitter

  Well another week has passed, and the heatwave here in the Midwest seems to have broken!
  But back to the Androids!! First go to your local US Cellular store and pick up a new Android phone!
 This week I am going to spend just a little time on some of the top Twitter clients out there. For those of you who don't know what Twitter is it is a micro-blogging, social network client which limits your post to 140 characters or less.
  Now there are several Twitter apps for Android, so I am just going to speak to a few of my favorites and a couple you may not have heard of.
  The first one is a new app I just discovered called "Tweedle". Having just found this one I have just started using it but it seems to be very simple, clean and super easy to use. Great for beginners or those of us who don't like or need all of the gadgets and glitter of the super powerful twitter apps.
  Twitter client for Android. Free, ad-less, and simple.

  Tweedle was built out of the need for a better, cleaner, and faster Twitter client for Android. It allows the user to select whatever color scheme they can imagine, why should we be the ones to choose? Tweedle is young, it is still growing. Although we may not have all of the features the other clients have, we are doing our best to make that possible. We take all feature requests and feedback seriously and we strive to provide the best customer service possible.

Next is another fairly new app called "Boid for Twitter", this one has been my daily driver for Twitter for a couple of months. But it only works on Android 4.0 or higher. It is very light and customizable, and is easy to use.

Another new fairly new Twitter client is "Slices for Twitter". I have been using this app for the last couple of weeks. Slices is a gorgeous new Twitter app with a cutting-edge design, loads of features, and remarkable speed and responsiveness. But Slices is more than just a Twitter app.

Slices is the world’s first Twitter experience that lets you browse a Twitter directory by category, easily follow live events, slice your timeline into manageable streams, bookmark favorite accounts, and synchronize with a web experience.

In short, Slices is a completely new way to experience Twitter. It brings content discovery to the forefront and solves some of the biggest frustrations users have with the Twitter experience.

And there are still the standby and arguably more powerful  official Twitter client, Ubersocial for Twitter, TweetDeck, TweetCaster apps. So in short go find the twitter client you like and tweet away!!!

If you have any questions about switching to US Cellular, or Android in general feel free to message me through Google Plus or post a comment. 

John USCC Customer Crew Member

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Olympics

  Hello friends! How are you enjoying the summer Olympics? This is just a quick post to give you another option to keeping up with the games.
  I have found an app from Samsung to run on my US Cellular Samsung Galaxy SIII Android powered phone. The app is called "London 2012 Results", will work on any Android phone running Android 2.2 or higher.
 

The Official London 2012 Results app provides all the latest news, schedules and results, allowing users to keep up-to-date with the latest action LIVE across all Olympic sports

Results: Covering all events for the 36 sports for the Olympics and 21 sports for the Paralympics.

Live Schedule: Follow the latest sporting Olympic events that are currently in progress. View results in real-time and share with your friends. View live updates: news, photos and social commentary from the Games.

Calendar Schedule: View day-by-day which sporting events are taking place in the Olympic schedule. Set favourites or reminders to create a personalised selection tailored for you.

Sports: View details of each of the sports; all the latest results, latest news, latest pictures and background information including football, swimming and track.

Medals: View the overall Olympic medal count as they are awarded throughout the Games - by country, by individual and by sport. Learn more about the medals.

Athletes: View all the participating athletes and review their details and current Olympic standings for London 2012. Use the sophisticated search tool to personalise your experience and follow the performance of your favourite athletes.

My Games: Follow any participating country and receive news and updates tailored to your needs. Manage your favourites, reminders and settings. Stay informed: set up notifications and alerts to keep you posted throughout the Games.

Hope you enjoy the app and the games! 

As always if you need any help switching to US Cellular message me through Google + or in the comments section. Also if I can be of any help with Android in general feel free to contact me in the same way. 

John USCC Customer Crew Member

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New phones

  Hello again! This week I am going to give you a quick overview of the latest devices from US Cellular. Once again US Cellular is offering some great new phones.

  First up is the Motorola Electrify II, this phone features a 1.2 GHz dual core processor,1GB of RAM. Out of the box it is loaded with the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS, a large 4.3 inch ColorBoost^TM qHD Touch Display, and 8GB of internal storage, and a micro SD slot which is compatible with up to 32 GB micro SD card.

  It has an 8 megapixel rear facing camera with 1080p video capabilities for great photos. The front facing camera is VGA.

  This phone is 3G - WIFI compatible and can be used while traveling out of the country with the purchase of a sim card card for service from international carrier.

  This power house phone is powered by a 1780 mAh  non-removable battery which provides up to 10.2 hours of talk time,and weighs only 4.41 oz.

  Next is the Motorola Defy XT.  This is more of an entry level phone in my opinion, but does have the feature of being water-resistant and dustproof (their claim, not mine). It comes with Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread OS installed.

  This device comes with 3.7" FWVGA 480X854 Resolution touchscreen display made from Gorilla Glass, a 1650mAh Lithium-ion battery, 5 megapixel camera, and a VGA front facing camera.

  It has WIFI - 3G connectivity to keep you in touch with your friends.

  This phone has 1GB of internal storage and can be expanded with the use of up to a 32 GB micro SD card and come with a 2 GB card installed. 

  So if you are a Motorola fan and need a new Android powered smartphone, or  just starting out with smart phones check out these two new entries from US Cellular.

  Or if you are wanting a high end smartphone the Samsung Galaxy S II and the Galaxy S III are great world class devices.

  If you are not currently a US Cellular customer contact me and I will be happy to help you switch.

John USCC Customer Crew Member

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