Weather

  Hello again! I hope this posting finds everyone healthy and safe. Speaking of safe, did you know you can get Emergency alerts on your US Cellular Android powered smartphone?
  While on the emergency theme, it is spring time which means (in my area) severe weather. To stay on top of the situation I use several weather apps. My daily driver is Notification Weather. Some options are as listed.

Weather Provider

Manual or GPS locationMetric or imperial unitsUpdate intervalOptional 4-day forecast
Refresh button in notification (no need to open settings)
Progress bar in notification
No notification icon
Transparent notification icon
Swipe notification to dismiss
12/24 hour switch

Pro version features:

Refresh button in notification (no need to open settings)
Progress bar in notification
No notification icon
Transparent notification icon
Swipe notification to dismiss
12/24 hour switch

This app runs in the background and is only visible when you open the notification bar, I have mine set to open to 1Weather.
  1Weather is not your normal weather app. Here are a few of the features.
· Real-time local weather and forecasts for virtually any location around the world (Current + 48-hour)
· 7-day extended forecast and precipitation info
· Hourly forecast and precipitation info
· Follow my location - Updated weather when you are on the move
· LIVE animated radar and extreme weather warnings (US only) with layers
. Added Enhanced Cloud Layer for International locations on Radar Screen 
· Animated sunrise, sunset, and Lunar phase (Phones only)
· Save multiple locations to access quickly and easily
· Gorgeous widgets (3) you can add to your home screen
· Share weather information with friends and family via email, text, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
   I also have a local weather app from WSI Corporation.
  So go find your favorite weather app and stay safe during this severe season!

John USCC Customer Crew Member

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Tax Day

   Hi everyone! Once again it is everyone's favorite day, the day Uncle Sam expects his share of your money! However if you have a US Cellular Android phone there is an app to help you do your taxes with your busy schedule.
  Try Turbo Tax Snaptax. Some features are:

IT’S SO SIMPLE:

1 - Snap a photo of your W-2
2 - Answer simple questions
3 - File with the app, or finish on the web

START FOR FREE - PAY WHEN YOU’RE DONE

File your federal and state taxes with the app for only $24.99! (Prices vary if you finish on the web)

See more at www.snaptaxvideo.com

___________________________
From the makers of TurboTax

Maximum (Biggest) Refund Guaranteed: turbotax.intuit.com/corp/guarantees.jsp

100% Accurate Guaranteed: turbotax.intuit.com/corp/guarantees.jsp

And to keep track of your refund try My Tax Refund by TurboTax. 

And if your refund is a little short this year take a look at the web only deals from US Cellular! 

John USCC Customer Crew Member

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Mobile Security

Hey everyone hope you have had a great week with enjoying your US Cellular Android power smartphone!
  This week I am going to talk about something everyone should be concerned with, Mobile Security. You have anti-virus on your computer so why not your hand-held computer (your smartphone, and/or tablet)? Here is a new security app in case you lose your phone.
Some features are:

-- Locate and track your phone if it goes missing or is stolen by receiving sms updates of its location.
-- Remotely lock your device with a password or pin number.
-- Remotely wipe your device.
-- Remotely backup up call logs or sms logs(or both) to either Dropbox or Google Drive.
-- Remotely enable sound on device and make it scream.


Check it out and read more here!

Here is a short video review. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.decad3nce.aegis

Now go get your phone secure!

John USCC Customer Crew Member

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New note app

Hey everyone! Spring is supposed to be here but I am getting snow! I hope things are going great where you are, and you are enjoying your US Cellular Android phone. 

 I have found a new note taking app I want to introduce you to. It is called Google Keep and was only released Thursday.  Here are a few of the unique features it brings.

• Keep track of your thoughts via notes, lists and photos
• Have voice notes transcribed automatically
• Use homescreen widgets to capture thoughts quickly
• Color-code your notes to help find them later
• Swipe to archive things you no longer need
• Turn a note into a checklist by adding checkboxes
• Use your notes from anywhere - they are safely stored in the cloud and available on the web at http://drive.google.com/keep

Also here is a video tutorial. I will be back in a week or two to give you a review. 

In the meantime checkout the complete line up of Android phones at US Cellular. And remember if you have any questions about switching to US Cellular or Android in general hit me up in G+ or in the comments section.

John USCC Customer Crew Member

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Samsung Galaxy S IV

 Hey how are you doing? I just want to talk a little about the Big Announcement last week.
  If you don't know what I am talking about it is the announcement that the new Samsung Galaxy S IV will be released shortly and it is coming to US Cellular! Now if you haven't heard about the Galaxy S IV it is the newest, hottest phone around, sporting a whopping 13 Mega pixel camera! It also has some new Touchwiz UI software like "eye scrolling" web pages etc. Also it has a slightly larger, more vibrant screen than the hugely popular Samsung Galaxy SIII. All of this along with an octa (yes 8!) core processor for the international version, and a 1.9 GHz quad core processor for the U.S. variants. Both the international version and the U. S. versions should come in three internal storage sizes, 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB. All will also accept up to 64 GB external storage in the form of a micro SD card.
  Check out the video for a comparison to the Samsung Galaxy SIII.

As always feel free to hit me up on Google+ or in the comments for help or questions about switching to US Cellular, or Android in general.

John USCC Customer Crew Member

 

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Spring Time

  Hello all! Have you noticed the longer days and warmer temperatures (for some of us at least!)? That means Spring has arrived!!!! Now for me that means golf! And I can even use my US Cellular Samsung Galaxy SIII as a Golf GPS unit with an app!! How cool is that? (This phone is also currently on sale for only $129.00).
  Skydroid-Golf GPS is the one I use most and here are some of the features.

When you're out on the golf course, it helps to know exactly where and how far you need to hit the ball. SkyDroid uses GPS technology to map the golf course you're playing on, giving you instant, helpful information as you walk the links. This app for your Android device features aerial views of entire golf courses, reveals distances to the front, center, and back of every green, lets you track the distance of your most recent shot, and more.

Accurate and reliable, SkyDroid - Golf GPS is the perfect Golf GPS Range Finder and Scorecard for your Android phone. Our simple to use design is used world wide helping golfers get their distances and lower their golf scores.

#1 Golf GPS Range Finder app in the Sports Category!

★★★★
Now with Scoring and Statistics.
Get Single Player Scoring and Stats in the latest version.
★★★★

You'll get a full-featured Golf GPS rangefinder that shows your distance to the front, center and back of every green of every golf course. Plus distances to many hazards and targets. You can find your distance to any point on the golf course with a finger press. Satellite view of every golf course, plus Scoring and Statistics!!

Over 180,000 golfers have installed our Golf GPS app and love its features. No course download charges. No subscription charges.

★★★★
Over 22,000 Golf Courses Mapped !!
★★★★

Features
★ GPS Distance to every green
★ New: Scoring and Statistics
★ Distances to water hazards, bunkers, and more
★ Satellite view of every course!
★ Distance to ANY point on the map!
★ Shot Tracking!
★ Download unlimited courses
★ Map ANY course online!

Visit www.skydroid.net to see our Course list, or use our new Course Finder web page to find golf courses near you that are ready for downloading for free to your SkyDroid - Golf GPS app.

SkyDroid - Golf GPS gives you your range finder distance to every green on the golf course and more. It's easy to use, has a beautiful design, and there are no subscription or course download fees.

Get a satellite view of every course and green. Zoom into any location or get a rangefinder distance to any point on the map just by holding your finger on it.

GPS Distances to the Front, Center and Back of every green (not just the center location like some apps).

★ Starting with version 2.0 we now have scoring and statistics available. Score your round and keep track of stats like putts per round, hit fairway% and more.

Distances to course features (water hazards, bunkers, target points) are available for most courses. If you don't see a feature you need you can add it to the course mapping using our website.

GPS Range Finder Accuracy indicator lets you know exactly how accurate the distances are at any time (GPS accuracy can fluctuate, but SkyDroid keeps you informed).

Track the distance of your last shot with our shot tracker.

Automatic hole advance will have you clicking less buttons.

★★★★
Add New Courses
★★★★

Can't find your golf course in the system? No problem, our online Course Mapper web page let's you add new courses in as little as 10 minutes. We get new golf courses added by our users every single day of the year.

You can also edit existing courses using the website, to add features or make adjustments (add target points, etc.) as needed. Then just re-download the course to the app to see the changes.

★ Works Internationally

Change distance measurement to yards or meters.

★ Visit www.skydroid.net to learn more.

*** Usage Notes ***
Use your Menu button on the Course List screen to access Settings.
Long press on the "Score" button to see the full scorecard.

There are others of course, so pick one and hit the links!!!

If you have any questions about switching to US Cellular, the Galaxy SIII or Android in general hit me up on Google+, or in the comments. (If I am not on the coruse!)

John USCC Customer Crew Member

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Smartphone Maintenance

  Hello! Some of you may know that I recently made a short video outlining a few basic phone maintenance tips. For those of you who didn't see my video here are a few tips to keep your US Cellular Android phone running like new!

1. Turn your device off for a few minutes each day or two. This is such a simple thing that most don't even think it can cause problems. Now consider that a few years ago we had a great laptop if it had a 1.5 dual core processor and 2 GB of RAM! So you basically have as much computing power in your hand as you did on your laptop!
2. Clear cache and data regularly. I usually do mine on Sunday morning. There are several apps to do this but I personally use "History Eraser", this app clears browser history (stock only), call log, text messages, Google play Store search, Google map search, Gmail search, YouTube search, Clip board contents, Google search, and clears all app caches with one click. There is also a paid version so as always if you like the app, support the dev and get the paid version!
3. If the first two tips don't remedy the problem, backup your device with "My Backup". I will make a video of this app soon but until then here is a short tutorial. After preforming the backup go to settings>Backup & restore and select factory reset. This will basically wipe all of the data from the phone and and reset it to factory condition. Before attempting this action be sure you know your gmail address and password associated with the account!!!! Your contacts will be backed up to your google account so don't worry about that. Remember this is a last resort!
4. If none of the tips above work call 611 from your US Cellular phone or 888-944-9400 from another line. 

  As always feel free to contact me if you have questions about switching to US Cellular, any of the apps mentioned in this blog or Android in general. Until next week keep those phones cleaned out and running like new!

John USCC Customer Crew Member

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