The Norman Transcript

Headlines

Discussion

March 17, 2013

Smartphones can keep eye on sky for weather

Transcript Staff The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — When the skies threaten, people turn to their wireless device for weather updates. An Online Publishers Association report indicates that 47 percent of smartphone owners regularly use it to check the weather.

U.S. Cellular customers with select mobile devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy S III and Motorola ELECTRIFY M, receive Wireless Emergency Alerts, also called the Commercial Mobile Alert System, which was created by the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency .

U.S. Cellular recommends the following tips and free smartphone apps in recognition of Severe Weather Awareness Week from March 3 to March 9:

· Have important numbers handy and back them up:  

· Break through with texting: If phone service is impacted by a high volume of calls during a storm, try sending a text message. Text messages take up less bandwidth on the network than calls and may work when phone service is intermittent.

 · Stay up to date with breaking news: There are many free apps available through Google Play — such as The Weather Channel, WeatherBug, MyRadar, GO Weather and AccuWeather for Android — that can provide you with the tools you need to stay on top of severe weather.

· Store “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) contacts in your phone: Simply program “ICE” in front of a person’s name or title, such as “ICE Mom” or “ICE Dave,” to help first responders quickly contact these important people. Make sure the ICE contact knows about any medical conditions that could affect emergency treatment for an individual, such as allergies or current medication.

· Stay charged up: Phones should be kept charged so that customers have sufficient battery life when they need it. If driving, keep a car charger with you to re-charge while on-the-go. If a battery starts to run out, U.S. Cellular customers can switch out a dead or dying battery for free at any U.S. Cellular store through the company’s Battery Swap program.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Headlines
  • BikeToWorkDay Norman cyclists take the path less traveled to work

    Rain, shine or fog, Norman bicyclists show up every year, and have been showing up every year for eight years, for the city’s annual Bike to Work event. Despite drizzle and fog Friday morning, this year was no exception. “Norman has one ...

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Fallin urges last-minute health care fix

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Mary Fallin proposed a last-minute legislative change Friday to the state’s Insure Oklahoma program that would direct $50 million in state tobacco taxes to pay for more than 9,000 people who are expected to lose their ...

    May 18, 2013

  • OU student allegedly changed his grades and faculty members’ passcodes

    Charges were filed against a University of Oklahoma student Thursday after the student allegedly changed faculty members’ passcodes and his own grades on Wednesday. Roja Osman Hamad, 24, was charged in Cleveland County District Court with ...

    May 18, 2013

  • Former student sues OU over school’s refusal to release student parking citation information

    A lawsuit was filed against the University of Oklahoma last week after the university repeatedly refused to release student parking citation information. The lawsuit was specifically filed against David Boren, individually and as the ...

    May 18, 2013

  • Nonprofithealth care centers Variety Care and Health for Friends to merge

    In an effort to serve Cleveland County’s medically under-served residents, Health for Friends, a Norman nonprofit community health center since 1985, is merging with Variety Care, an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit Federally Qualified Health ...

    May 18, 2013

  • Gov. Fallin impressed with Oklahoma wines

    The Oklahoma Grape Industry Council is partnering with Gov. Mary Fallin to help promote Oklahoma wines....

    May 19, 2013

  • New salon offers unique educational opportunity

    The Andrew Freeman Creative Studio recently opened in Norman and is offering Oklahomans unique and rare educational opportunities....

    May 19, 2013

  • Norman Chamber to host two events Wednesday

    If you live in Norman but work in Oklahoma City, the Norman Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend the next 35 South Luncheon at noon Wednesday at the Bricktown Brewery, 1 N. Oklahoma Ave. Registration begins at 11:45 a.m. Keynote ...

    May 19, 2013

  • Scratch mixes it up downtown

    Norman native Brady Sexton knows urban renewal starts with the arts. Sexton, an art supporter on the board of Dreamer Concepts Studio, has watched downtown Norman come alive. Now, he is opening an innovative concept restaurant in the ...

    May 19, 2013

  • people in business

    Scholarships announced The Oklahoma City Chapter of Executive Women International recently announced the finalists for its 2013 scholarship programs. Local 2013 EWISP winner is Ashton Walton, $1,000, Washington High School. The ASIST ...

    May 19, 2013