Wireless Zone Franchise | Largest Cell Phone Franchise in the U.S.

5 Tips If You've Been a Victim of Downsizing

2013-06-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

If you’ve recently been laid off, it can be a devastating experience, particularly if you’ve been at the company for a long time. There’s the anxiety that comes with not having a paycheck and the depression that accompanies not hearing back from the companies you send resumes to. There are feelings of uncertainty and uneasiness, both which can lead you into a cloud of negativity.

Here are some tips to keep you on track to kickstart your new job search.

1. Give yourself a minute to regroup. After the shock of a sudden layoff, many employees launch blindly into a new job search. Although having an income is an immediate necessity, don’t just jump at the first offer for a job you might not like. Take a minute to reflect and think about what you really want.

2. Rethink the possibilities. I wouldn’t go so far as to say this could be an opportunity, but it could be a chance to point your career in a new direction. Have you thought about going back to school, starting your own business or getting involved in a franchise system? Some of our most successful WirelessZone® franchisees were laid off from their old jobs and decided they wanted to be their own boss.

3. Tell people in a position to help. It’s time to network! Linked In provides a great opportunity to tell your peers your skills set and what you are looking for. Search both major and niche job boards to find the biggest variety of job listings in one place. Many job boards let you set up an alert so you get emails about jobs specifically in your area and with your skill set.

4. Plan out your time. Organization is one of the keys to a successful job search. You can’t lay around in your sweat suit all day! Time management will allow you to get focused. Set aside a time each day to focus exclusively on getting a new job and schedule in some fun time or time to work out so the stress doesn’t become overwhelming.

5. Don’t forget the small stuff. Have someone proofread your resume for any errors and make sure your voice mail is very professional. The old adage “the devil is in the details” holds true when you’re looking for a new job.

If you’re interested in discussing franchising, I’m all ears! If not, remember to stay positive and not let the frustration get to you!

Baby Boomers Choosing the “New Retirement”

2013-06-07T08:37:00.000-07:00

A trend in business ownership has emerged over the last few years – baby boomers buying franchises after successful careers in the corporate world. Now, more than ever, people in this age range are transferring valuable acquired skills to their own franchise businesses, successfully and with no regrets.

Are you a boomer thinking about starting a new business? Afraid it’s too late? No way!

Baby boomers, individuals born between 1946 and 1964, make up the largest population group in the United States today, nearly 80 million strong. Over time, people in this age group will naturally transition out of the workforce, through layoffs and voluntary retirement.

No matter how these people move on from corporate careers, some simply can’t or don’t want to “retire” in the traditional sense. This is fueling the trend in business ownership among the baby boomer population. For many, starting or purchasing a business fulfills a lifelong dream at a perfect time in life to start fresh.

According to a 2009 report by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, in every single year from 1996 to 2007, Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 had a higher rate of entrepreneurial activity than those aged 20 to 34.

“Baby boomers make excellent candidates for cellular franchises,” explains Clay Neff, Executive Director of Franchise Development for Wireless Zone. “Boomers often bring years of management experience to the table which provides an advantage when moving from employee to employer. After all, there’s no time to waste when the trial-and-error days of youth are behind you.”

With a franchise such as Wireless Zone, there is also the advantage of training and support to help make a smooth transition to business ownership. Another advantage of investing in a cellular franchise is the well known franchise marketing and operational system, coupled with the flexibility and independence gained from business ownership. This is a big draw for many baby boomers.

“Baby boomers make excellent cellular franchise candidates because they are mature, have successfully been a team member sometime in their career, and are more resilient to the ups and downs of a new business,” adds Neff. “In general, this age group is also more financially secure and capable of investing in a franchise.”

Plus, Wireless Zone is not a physically demanding franchise – no intense labor is involved. If you are considering a franchise, consider a cellular franchise, where the market is growing with no signs of letting up!

The Emergence of Cellular Franchise Business Retail Model

2013-05-14T17:18:00.000-07:00

Look around town the next time you are out. Notice how many wireless retail locations have arisen lately? There’s good reason for that: they work.

Every one owns a cell phone today, and the incredible growth of wireless technology in recent years requires people to buy new phones every couple of years. On top of that, they need accessories for their phones and repair when the worst happens. As the US economy begins to improve, we have seen a boom in the franchise world, most notably because people are willing to take more risks with their work but are still hesitant to start their own company.

One of the most successful franchise models today is in wireless retail, which has grown exponentially in recent years and is listed on top of lists for franchise business opportunities around the country. Furthermore, the wireless retail model has many directions a business owner can take. As a Cellular franchisee, you can sell new and used phones, accessories, and even repair phones. With the new growth in the wireless market paired with the diversity of commerce solutions a franchisee can chose from, owning a cellular franchise has become a promising business franchise opportunity.

The most successful franchises are those that have the biggest consumer base, and the wireless industry is one of those businesses. Each year, more and more people eliminate their home phones and rely solely on their cell phones for day-to-day communications. As technology in the cellular industry grows, consumers will need new phones at a faster rate allowing cellular retail franchises to capitalize on the high demand for these products without worrying if the industry will fail. Even with cellular retail businesses popping up around your home town, the demand for these products will remain high making it a lucrative business venture for years to come.

Another key factor for the incredible growth of the cellular retail franchise model is the aid franchisees receive from the franchisor. The cell phone industry is among the fastest growing industries in terms of new technology, and Wireless Zone® is a primary leader. Staying on top of the latest trends, models, and features can be daunting, and when you throw tablets and accessories into the mix, it can seem almost impossible to stay up to date. However, with the support your receive with a Wireless Zone® franchise, you can be assured you will have the right products and knowledge to be successful without wasting hours on researching the products yourself.

If you are interested in a cellular franchise, call Clay Neff at 412-491-6782 or request more information!

The Marriage of the Perfect Franchise Candidate and a Cellular Franchise Business

2013-05-07T17:18:00.000-07:00

After many difficult years, the economy seems to be finally improving. Although we are still a long way from a boom, we are making positive strides in the right direction, and it couldn’t come soon enough! As the economy improves, people are beginning to take more chances with entrepreneurship; however, many are still not ready to start their own company due to the risk.

For those ready to dip their feet into the business ownership world but are worried there still is too much risk involved, a great alternative is owning your own franchise. Starting a business is never easy, but having a proven business model in place along with an established support infrastructure makes it much less overwhelming.

Franchise opportunities are booming as the economy begins to improve because they involve much less risk than starting your own company from the ground up while maintaining a level of freedom that owning a business provides. In order to succeed as a franchisee, you have to start with the right franchise, and that’s where cellular franchise businesses in general, and a Wireless Zone® franchise in particular comes in.

People interested in franchising want to own a franchise in a market that has a strong future, and one of the fastest growing industries in the franchise world is wireless retail. As our country becomes more and more tech-savvy, there has been an increase in the demand for wireless retail companies. This demand has made wireless retail franchises one of the fastest, most sustainable businesses in the country today, and it will only grow stronger as more people buy cell phones and tablets.

But how do you know if you are the right candidate for a wireless franchise? First off, the perfect franchise candidate is someone ready to take the leap to owning their own business, but still want the help from a successful franchise business. With a wireless retail franchise, you will receive help from the experts running your franchise, so you don’t feel overwhelmed by the rapid change of new technology in the industry.

Second, the perfect marriage between the right candidate and a wireless franchise is someone who wants to be involved in a fast-paced industry without the high level of risk that is usually involved in such a venture. Working with an existing franchise gives you the freedom to take part in the evolution of technology in the retail world while receiving support from an existing franchise that is proven successful. The wireless retail industry is only going to continue growing, and with an economy on the rise, it is the perfect time to get involved.

If you are interested in a cellular franchise, call Clay Neff at 412-491-6782 or request more information. You’ll be on your way to owning your own successful business and being your own boss!

Franchising Versus A Start-Up Small Business

2013-04-29T09:25:00.001-07:00

Being an entrepreneur can be one of the most rewarding life experiences a person can have, but it can also be one of the most difficult. The dream of being your own boss and controlling your own destiny is an appealing venture for most, but with that comes risk, uncertainty, and stress of starting a business from the ground up. According to a recent report from the Huffington Post, nearly three in every four startups fail within their first year. With such a high rate of failure, it is no surprise that many entrepreneurs are hesitant to start their own business, especially during a recession. But there is an alternative.

Franchising is a very popular alternative to starting a business from the ground up because it minimizes much of the risk that is involved with the cultivation and longevity of a business; however, franchising may not be for everyone. In order to help you decide which business venture is right for you, we have compiled a brief description of the advantages and challenges of starting your own business or franchising.

Franchising

By becoming a franchisee of an existing business, you invest into an already established and proven operating system of a successful business model. The benefit is that you minimize the risk that is involved with starting your own company, such as building a reputable brand image, developing a unique business plan, and standing out in the market. Owning an existing franchise gives you the tools, resources and knowledge to succeed and lets you maintain the freedom of owning your own business and being your own boss. Furthermore, as a franchisee you are aided along the way by the franchisor which can play a vital role in the longevity of your company. However, as a franchisee you are at the mercy of the franchise. You cannot adjust brand image, products, or prices to much extent. Also, you often must pay the franchise a royalty as part of a franchise system.

As you can see, owning a franchise can help alleviate much of the risk in starting a business and allows you to maintain the freedom of being your own boss, but it also comes with restrictions and requires you to pay the franchise for the rights to their business model. It is also key to understand that owning a franchise does not guarantee success. You are still very much the master of your own destiny, and proper management of the business, its finances, and its employees can make or break even the most successful franchise. When considering whether or not you wish to own a franchise, ask yourself if the sacrifice of complete control of your company is worth minimizing a large portion of the risk involved with starting your own business.

Starting Your Own Business

The dream of the entrepreneur is to start their own business. With great risk comes great reward, and those able to weather the storm of the first year can see huge results in the long term. In addition to the possibility of great financial reward, the appeal of starting your own business is being the master of your own destiny. The products or services you provide are those of your own, and if they succeed you can expect a large financial pay out. However, the first year can be extremely difficult for a start up, and without a solid business plan (and a little luck) many businesses will not survive. One of the most difficult road blocks you will face is how exactly you will run your company. Businesses often fail due to a lack of systems, processes and simply a plan, even with a great product or service. This is unlike owning a franchise where you are aided by the franchisor and can use existing operation standards that are proven successful.

For instance, one of the advantages of The Wireless Zone cellular franchise versus starting your own business is that we have a proven system that is replicable – you’re not starting from scratch. We provide sales, technical and business training at our Wireless Zone University in Middletown, CT, training that keeps you up-to-date in a field that is constantly evolving. Our IT department has developed a cutting edge point of sale system making inventory, payroll and commissions easy. Our build out team takes care of many of the details for the interior and exterior of your store. Plus all of our franchisees benefit from our in-house, full service advertising agency that help to create brand awareness locally and nationally.

If you are interested in discussing a cellular franchise, call Clay Neff at 412-491-6782.

Cellular Franchise Business Model: Taking Advantage of a Hot Retail Trend

2013-04-22T15:51:00.002-07:00

If you’re thinking about investing in a franchise this year, you’ll be in good company. According to the International Franchise Association (IFA), nearly 11,000 new franchise units are expected to open doors in 2013 in the U.S., a 1.3% increase. In fact, franchise businesses are expected to employ 8.3 million people in the U.S. by the end of this year and generate $802 billion in revenue.

Franchise businesses are expected to grow faster than independent businesses in terms of job creation, new business formation and economic output.

With the outlook for franchising bright, the forecast for high tech franchises such as Wireless Zone is even more optimistic. There’s no doubt that mobile is one of the fastest growing industries. Therefore it shouldn’t come as a surprise that technology is at the top of the list for profitable franchise opportunities.

All Roads Point to Mobile
Not only are many digital technologies headed to mobile – telecoms, computers and the internet – but even major media is taking to the phone – music, gaming, news, television and more. Even the finance industry is muscling in on mobile with credit cards and online banking.

Let’s look at the mobile statistics worldwide according to the International Telecommunications Union:

· There are 1.2 billion personal computers in use worldwide including desktops, laptops and tablet PCs like the iPad.

· There are 5.2 billion active mobile phone subscribers. Considering the planet has 6.9 billion people, that means there is an active mobile phone subscription for 75% of them.

· Americans collectively spent 2.321 trillion minutes on the phone over the last year (a three percent increase over last year), and sent just about as many texts: 2.273 trillion (also an increase of three percent.)

· In 2010, the average person on the planet looked at their phone 150 times per day.

It seems like just about everyone has a cell phone, regardless of their socio-economic group or age. From children to grandparents, virtually everyone uses a cell phone, smartphone or tablet. The size of the cellular marketplace is a key reason that cellular franchising is so popular.

Why Wireless Zone?
Not only is the demand for cellular explosive, but the need for experts in the technology field keeps increasing. That’s where Wireless Zone and our cellular franchise will exceed your expectations. Our exclusive affiliation with Verizon Wireless, one of the leaders in the cellular industry, makes owning a mobile franchise even more exciting. You have the opportunity to be a local wireless expert with the strength of a great brand and world-wide name recognition behind you.

Cellular franchises will be a hot prospect in 2013 and beyond. For more information, contact Clay Neff at 412-491-6782.

Wireless Zone featured on the Hartford Business Journal

2012-10-29T11:49:00.001-07:00

Wireless Zone was recently featured in the Hartford Business Journal in an article titled, "Neff returns to Wireless Zone." The article discusses the announcement of Clay Neff being named Executive Director of Franchise Development for Wireless Zone. The article gives a summary of Clay’s previous work, as well as some background information on Wireless Zone. Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Neff returns to Wireless Zone

Clay Neff has been named executive director of franchise development at Wireless Zone in Middletown.

Neff got his start in the franchising industry as the director of development for Contours Express, where he was in charge of domestic and international growth. Neff was also previously the director of franchise development for Wireless Zone's Midwest market.

(Read More)

Clay Neff Named as Wireless Zone’s Executive Director of Franchise Development

2012-10-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Middletown, CT– Wireless Zone, an exclusive carrier and retailer of Verizon Wireless products and services, has named industry veteran Clay Neff as its Executive Director of Franchise Development. In his role, Neff will oversee and help develop the growth strategy for the franchise side of Wireless Zone.

“We are thrilled for Clay to be joining our Wireless Zone team,” said the brand’s CEO, Kevin Sinclair. “Clay’s expertise and deep history in the franchising industry will allow us to continue to grow and develop markets in a strategic, targeted manner.”

Neff got his start in the franchising industry as the director of development for Contours Express, where he was in charge of domestic and international growth. Under Neff’s leadership, Contours Express grew to 600 units in a four-year-period. Neff was also previously the director of franchise development for Wireless Zone’s Midwest market.

Neff will work closely with the entire Wireless Zone team to target potential market opportunities by developing and executing a lead generation strategy with a focus on refreshing and refining internal processes to ensure new franchisees become the go-to wireless resource and experts in the very communities they live and play in.

“I see so much potential for Wireless Zone as a brand and am glad to be back,” said Neff. “As a franchise and a business, Wireless Zone is geared towards taking advantage of a growing wireless industry. The future is certainly bright with this company, and I can’t wait to help lead it to bigger and better places.”

Wirelss Zone featured in Lee's Summit Tribune

2012-10-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

Wireless Zone was recently features in Lee's Summit Tribune in an article titled, "The Wireless Zone Gives Back." The article talks about the Lee’s Summit Wireless Zone holding its Give Back Day on Oct. 6 and how each year owner Vicky Sneed gives back to the local community. Click here to read the entire article or begin below.

The Wireless Zone Gives Back

By: Wendy Hayworth

On Saturday, October 6, The Wireless Zone at Woods Chapel and Ralph Powell will be hosting its annual Give Back Day. On this day, 10% of every purchase will be donated to the Guardians of the Ribbon. This organization consists of firefighters and citizens that drive pink fire trucks to raise awareness and support women battling cancer.

“It’s part of our values as a company. We want to provide honest pricing. We want to give back to the community,” Wireless Zone owner, Vicky Sneed said.

(Read More)

Wireless Zone featured in The Berkshire Eagle

2012-10-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

Wireless Zone was recently featured in The Berkshire Eagle in a brief detailing a Wireless Zone opening in Great Barrington. The brief details the Wireless Zone new store location at 740 Main Street in Great Barrington. The article notes that this is Nate Bastarche’s fourth Wireless Zone location and that the Great Barrington location is one of the top performers in the market. Click here for the entire article or begin below.

In Brief

Great Barrington: Wireless Zone Store re-opens
The Wireless Zone Store in Great Barrington has come under new ownership and recently moved to a new location in the Big Y Shopping Plaza at 740 Main St.

The grand opening of the new location takes place today.

This is the fourth Wireless Zone franchise operated by store owner Nate Bastarche, but it is his first in Berkshire County. He also operates Wireless Zone stores in Chicopee, Easthampton and Northampton.

(Read More)

Wireless Zone featured on WNPR

2012-10-18T15:20:00.001-07:00

Wireless Zone was recently featured on WNPR in a segment titled, "Hit by Recession, Franchising Hopes To Bounce Back: Credit Woes Provide Temporary Hurdle, But Industry On Track For Growth." The segment discusses the opening of the Cromwell Wireless Zone. Matt discusses how being a part of the wireless industry is a smart place to be, due to the fact that owning wireless products is not just a want, but a need for most consumers. Both Matt and Bill Murphy also discussed how important it is for those in the wireless industry to be partnered with a larger brand, like Wireless Zone. Dave Harries also comments on why Matt and Bill make such great franchisees, due to their previous business ownership experience. Steve Caldeira, CEO of the IFA, is also interviewed, and shares the strong growth that the franchise industry has seen this year, despite the lending crunch many franchisees have felt. Bethany Appleby, a franchise attorney, is also interviewed, who shares some of the legal dilemmas that franchisees and franchisors can sometimes run into. Listen here.

Wireless Zone Featured in Farmington Independent

2012-07-27T13:44:00.001-07:00

Wireless Zone has been featured in the Farmington Independent. The article focuses on the recent opening for Matt Funk and his friends in Farmington, MN. Matt elaborated more on when he got started with Wireless Zone and what his future expansion plans in the next two years. Further, the article discusses the brand’s concept and the success of the Farmington location since the store’s opening. Read the article here.

Friends’ network of cell phone stores expands to Farmington
By Nathan Hansen

The cell phone business has been good to Matt Funk and his friends. From a single Wireless Zone store in 2009, the four college buddies now have a network of six franchise locations, the newest of which opened July 1 in Farmington.

They’re not done, either. The group, all of whom worked at cell phone stores to help pay their way through college, already has plans for two more locations this year, and Funk said they hope to have 15 to 20 locations within two years.

It’s an ambitious plan, but nothing Funk has seen so far leads him to believe it will not work.

Wireless Zone stores are meant to be one-stop shops for anyone looking for phones or service on the Verizon network. Verizon typically opens its own stores in bigger cities. Stores like Wireless Zone fill in the gaps elsewhere.

Wireless Zone offers cell phones and accessories as well as business-to-business services.

Funk and his partners were the second ones to open a Wireless Zone store in Minnesota and they have more of the stores than anyone else in the state. They started in Mendota Heights and expanded to Rosemount, Hastings, St. Paul and Menomonie, Wisc. Before coming to Farmington.

(Read More)

Wireless Zone Featured in the Edmond Sun

2012-07-20T10:32:00.002-07:00

Wireless Zone has been featured in the Edmond Sun! The article details the recent opening of Oklahoma’s first Wireless Zone owned by Tracy Holland, who is running the location along with three of his sons. Opening his store has allowed Tracy to accomplish his goal of becoming a business owner in the wireless industry and has created an opportunity for his sons to go into the family business as well. The article also includes commentary from Craig Ahrens about the growth of the wireless industry and that Oklahoma City is an ideal market for the brand’s growth.

Former Coach, Family Open Wireless Zone Franchise in Edmond
Company emphasizes customer service, community involvement
By Patty Miller

The first Wireless Zone franchise in Oklahoma opened its doors June 8 on the northeast corner of Second Street and Santa Fe under the ownership of the Tracy Holland family.

Tracy and his wife Jill have five sons and three of them are working with their father to make the family business a success.

Wireless Zone is the largest wireless retail franchisor in the country, and the Edmond location is the farthest franchise operation to the west, a company spokeswoman said. Holland chose the franchise after serving as head football coach for the University of Central Oklahoma for four seasons ending in 2011.

Having run a successful consulting business for several years prior to coaching, Holland said he wanted to make a fresh start with a new business venture.

“Overall, as franchises go Wireless Zone is highly rated with a great track record,” he said. “It was ranked recently as the No. 1 franchise in its category by Entrepreneur magazine. With Verizon making a push in this area I felt like it was a great opportunity.”

Opening his store has allowed Holland to pursue his goal of becoming a business owner in the wireless industry but more importantly, it has created an opportunity for his sons to build a future in the wireless industry for themselves.

With four full-time employees in addition to himself, the three brothers working at Wireless Zone with their father include Tucker Holland, Chad Holland and Eric Holland.

(Read More)

eMobile Connection Launches

2012-07-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

The members of BuyCell Wireless Group proudly announce the launch of a new and informative digital magazine focused on the consumer smart phone experience. Through the collective effort of BuyCell members and their network of over 1,500 retail stores, eMobile Connection magazine is now being read and enjoyed by the customers of BuyCell member stores.

eMobile Connection magazine and its soon-to-launch sister publications, eMobile Connection Newsletter and Special Reports, are prepared and published by a professional team of writers with extensive wireless experience. The publications deliver targeted, specific messaging to an active subscriber base of current wireless customers. Nationally distributed, each edition is customized with member-specific messages that provide the personal touch customers desire, and that result in repeated visits to their supporting retailer each time they have a wireless need.

You can read the premier issue by clicking here.

Google Announces "Google Now"

2012-06-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

This week at Google’s I/O developer conference, the search giant unveiled its new instant search feature for Android devices. Called Google Now, the new search function eliminates the need for users to communicate with their phones or manually type in searches by anticipating the information the user is most likely to need ahead of time. All of this is based on past searches a user has performed, as well as by detecting the location of the user.

For example, if your Android phone detects that you are in a train station, it will automatically pull up the next departure times for trains serving that station. As you get in your car to go to work, Google Now will automatically pull up traffic information and can even suggest a new route based on detected traffic jams and congestion along your normal route.

As the promo video describes the service, “Instead of having to sift through and organize all the information you need throughout your day, all that information is ready at the exact moment you need it.”

Watch the video below to learn more about Google Now and how the once basic function of searching is evolving in extraordinary leaps and bounds.

Travel easier

2012-06-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

Are you constantly on the move and want to know the best ways to make your phone travel friendly? Lucky for you Cellular Chloe tackles these issues in this week's "Must Have Tech-cessories". Find out how Wireless Zone is making keeping up while traveling abroad easier! Click here to read the entire article.

Cellular Chloe's Must-Have Tech-cessories

By: Cellular Chloe

Backpacks, Slingbag, laptop bags, messenger bags and briefcases that come with portable batteries which enable you to charge all your devices on the go. These bags are beautifully constructed just like Ful’s luggage line. Charge the bag at night and let the bag charge your devices once you tuck them all inside.

External plug and battery level indicator on the outside of the bag
Mini and Micro USB plugs, Mac OS plug and an additional USB port can charge 4 devices at once
Removeable 6000mAh battery

Radar/Laser/Camera detector that connects wirelessly to your Android device and displays visual alerts on your Android Smartphone. This system has the latest information available. The smartphone dashboard lets you see your speed digitally and look at a map of speed traps all the while connecting via Bluetooth.

(Read More)

Samsung on top

2012-06-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

Samsung recently passed Nokia as the largest cellphone brand. In an article titled "Samsung Overtakes Nokia for Cellphone Lead" Wayne Lam discusses trends in the cell phone industry in the first quarter of this year. Click here to read the entire article.

Samsung Overtakes Nokia for Cellphone Lead

By: Wayne Lam

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. in the first quarter overtook Nokia Corp. to become the world’s largest cellphone brand for the first time. However, Samsung remained in second place in the smartphone segment of the cellphone market, behind Apple Inc.

The South Korean electronics giant shipped 92 million cellphones worldwide in the first quarter, compared to 83 million for longtime market leader Nokia. While Samsung’s shipments declined by 13 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, Nokia’s dropped by 27 percent, as presented in Table 1. This allowed Samsung to rise one position to take first place.

In the smartphone segment of the cellphone market, Apple shipped 35 million units in the first quarter, as presented in Table 2. This compares to 32 million for Samsung. Apple remained in the same position in smartphones that it captured in the fourth quarter of 2011—at No. 1—while Samsung held on to second place.

(Read More)

Accessorize your smartphone or tablet!

2012-06-07T15:46:00.000-07:00

Looking to accessorize your smartphone or tablet and really make it your own? Need to weather-proof, dust-proof, dirt-proof, or waterproof your mobile device? Well we've got the solution you've been searching for! Wireless Zone's very own Cellular Chloe tells you all about the in summer accessories! Find out what you need to personalize your phone and prepare it for the season! Click here to read the entire article.

Take your iPhone Waterskiing

By: Bonnie Sharon a.k.a. Cellular Chloe

Summer is just around the corner, I can tell because I see a deluge of bathing suits at every blasted store I have the misfortune of walking into. I may not be ready for summer but all of my gadgets are! Along with summer comes the threat of water while engaging in extreme sports, okay, maybe it is just standing in a kiddie pool to cool off, but the potential of dropping my phone is insurmountable. Have you ever seen how clumsy I am? I am just a mishap away from needing a new phone. I once dropped an ex-boyfriend’s phone into a cocktail. Vodka/cranberry, I think it was! The phone just barely fit in the glass to begin with and I managed to drop it straight into the glass parting the ice cubes as it submerged.

Many families are either installing or opening their pools. Then there are the lake or beach people that blike to get the hell out of dodge. There must be a plan in place as even the kids now have cell phones. You know there’s always one instigator who thrives on throwing someone in the pool or off then side of the boat.

Waterproof Your Phone or Tablet

(Read More)

Wireless Zone featured on virginiabusiness.com

2012-06-04T14:18:00.000-07:00

Wireless Zone was recently featured in a brief on virginiabusiness.com titled, "Nation’s largest wireless franchise expands in Virginia". The brief discusses, Wireless Zone and their two new recent locations in Virginia. The new stores are located in the communities of Rocky Mount and Mechanicsville. Furthermore, the brief provides some information about the company and includes a quote from Kevin Sinclair, president of Wireless Zone. Click here to read the full article.

Nation’s largest wireless franchise expands in Virginia

By: virginiabusiness.com

Wireless Zone, the country’s largest wireless retail franchisor, has opened two new locations in Virginia in Rocky Mount and Mechanicsville. The new owner-operated stores give Wireless Zone, based out of Middletown, Conn., 29 stores in Virginia and a total of 450.

The company opened 200 new stores in the past two years and plans to continue to expand in Virginia. “When selecting new franchisees, we seek out business-savvy individuals who are committed to becoming the local go-to wireless professional. The big emphasis is on local, as our franchisees become ingrained in the community and play an important role in our ongoing growth strategy and brand connections,” Kevin Sinclair, president of Wireless Zone, said in a statement.

The company was founded in 1988 as “The Car Phone Store.” Since then, Wireless Zone has grown to be ranked the No. 1 franchise in its category by Entrepreneur magazine. Each store is independently owned and operated, and offers Verizon Wireless products and services. Wireless Zone is a division of Automotive Technologies, Inc., based out of Tampa, Fla.

(Read More)

The next big thing

2012-05-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

Could Adaptive Radio be the next big thing in wireless? The new technology which would allow the use of multiple radio frequencies as opposed to one fixed frequency could be immensely valuable to the wireless industry. This technology could potentially save carriers an enormous amount of money, all while increasing service capabilities for the consumer. In an article for businessweek.com Brendan Greeley discusses some details of the new technology, click here to read the entire article.

Photograph by Peter Meretsky/Gallery Stock

'Adaptive Radio': The Next Big Thing in Wireless?
By Brendan Greeley

James Collier is loping in a broad circle on the Midsummer Common in Cambridge, England, holding aloft a two-foot fiberglass antenna. Cables snake from the antenna to a flat green box about the size of a vinyl record sleeve, which he’s carrying in a backpack. About 10 yards away, another antenna and another green box are connected to a laptop, receiving Collier’s signal and tracing his oval-shaped path on a map. “Of course,” he says, “this will all be much smaller.”

Collier runs Neul, the Cambridge startup that makes the green boxes, which house a new technology called “adaptive radio.” Today, anything that transmits long-range signals over the airwaves—radios, cell phones, television networks—broadcasts on a single, fixed frequency. Think of the 106.7 that appears on your radio dial. Both broadcaster and listener have to be tuned to the same wave. Each cell phone, similarly, has its own allotted frequency to communicate with nearby towers. Carriers must spend billions to license chunks of spectrum to make sure their subscribers can connect wherever they go.

(Read More)

Protect your phone

2012-05-10T09:49:00.001-07:00

Smartphones are here to stay! Mobile providers and users have become dependent on the convenience of instant connection and notifications. This makes it very important that we continue to develop ways to protect this investment. The C.T.I.A. (The Wireless Associations) recently released an article discussing plans to deter smartphone theft as well as protect consumer data. Click here to read the entire article.

U.S. Wireless Industry Steps to Help Deter Smartphone Thefts and Protect Consumer Data

By: The CTIA

CTIA and its members always want America’s wireless users to be safe. Together with the Federal Communications Commission, major city police chiefs, CTIA and participating wireless companies have agreed to these four steps to help protect consumers and their private information on smartphones.

The four actions are:

Implement databases to prevent reactivation of stolen smartphones.

Wireless providers will work to initiate, implement and deploy database solutions, using unique smartphone identifying numbers, designed to prevent smartphones reported by their customers as stolen from being activated and/or provided service on their own networks. Using unique GSM smartphone identifying numbers, GSM providers will develop and deploy a database designed to prevent GSM smartphones reported as stolen from being activated or provided service. By October 31, 2012, U.S. GSM providers will implement this database so that stolen GSM smartphones will not work on any U.S. GSM network. In addition, U.S. providers will create a common database for LTE smartphones designed to prevent smartphones that are reported stolen by consumers from being activated or provided service on any LTE network in the U.S. and on appropriate international LTE stolen mobile smartphone databases. This database will be completed by November 30, 2013.

(A). Notify consumers of features to secure/lock smartphones with passwords.

By April 30, 2013, smartphone makers will implement a system to notify/inform users via the new smartphones upon activation or soon after of its capability of being locked and secured from unauthorized access by setting a password.

(Read More)

Cellular Chloe in CONNSTEP Advantage

2012-05-02T20:08:00.000-07:00

Wireless Zone's Cellular Chloe is now contributor to CONNSTEP Advantage magazine. In her first article, she discusses battery saving tips for all users but it is specifically very helpful to smartphone users, since they are bigger battery hogs! Click here to read the entire article.

Power : how to have it when you need it

By: Bonnie Sharon

We all love the ability to walk around toting our smartphone, a veritable encyclopedia at our fingertips weighing less than your wallet. We feel empowered when we can quickly provide the answer to a question such as “what movie was that line from,” or the ability to tell someone how to get to a particular destination. Surely you’ve heard the expression “knowledge is power.” The key word is power. If you don’t have any left in your battery, you might be tempted to fling that encyclopedia from your fingertips!

Here are some tips to conserve battery power on your smartphone or tablet:
1. When not in use turn off GPS, Bluetooth and WiFi. Keep the on/off toggle switches on
your homescreen so you know they are off when not in use.

(Read More)

Is Infinite Wireless Capacity Possible?

2012-04-27T13:45:00.000-07:00

As we continue growing more reliant on wireless devices we are constantly looking for ways to increase the wireless spectrum. Bo Thide of the Swedish Institute of Space Physics may have found just that, successfully proving it is possible to transmit multiple radio channels over the same frequency. The impact this could have on the wireless industry is enormous, potentially eliminating many of the issues the growing wireless industry faces. Click here to read the entire article.

Vortex radio waves could boost wireless capacity “infinitely”

By: Sebastian Anthony

After four years of incredulity and not-so-gentle mocking, Bo Thide of the Swedish Institute of Space Physics and a team in Italy have finally proven that it’s possible to simultaneously transmit multiple radio channels over exactly the same wireless frequency. In theory, according to Thide, we could potentially transmit an “infinite number” of TV, radio, WiFi, and cellular channels at the same time over the same frequency, blasting apart our highly congested wireless spectrum.

Thide’s approach is rather simple. Basically, electromagnetic waves can have both spin angular and orbital angular momentum (OAM). If you picture the Earth-Sun system, spin momentum is the Earth rotating on its axis (producing the day-night cycle), and orbital momentum is the Earth rotating around the sun (producing the seasons). In standard wireless communications — radio, TV, WiFi — we only modulate the spin angular momentum of waves. For years, Thide had theorized that orbital angular momentum could also be added to wireless signals, effectively creating a spiral signal that looks like fusilli pasta; or, in the words of Thide, a “radio vortex.”

(Read More)

How connected is too connected?

2012-04-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

In an article titled "If You Go Out and Don't Tweet, Did You Really Go?" Kate Nibbs discusses the importance of publishing everything you do to the online community. With smart-phones, social-networking sites, and tablet technology all booming, we are all constantly faced with the option of publishing our every action. The question then is, what is the value of publicizing everything you do, and when is it too much? The article discusses the positives and negatives of all of these outlets, as well as, some of the implications of our online habits. Click here to read the entire article.

If You Go Out and Don't Tweet, Did You Really Go?
By: Kate Nibbs

What did you do yesterday? According to a new movement, if you didn't track it on your smartphone, it didn't happen.

Facebook and Twitter ushered in an era of unprecedented self-documentation, and the burgeoning "Quantified Self" movement is taking it a step further, using mobile technology to tally up the minutiae of day-to-day life.

People in the "Quantified Self" movement find satisfaction in turning their daily activities into easy-to-digest infographics, and some want to understand themselves better through this thorough examination. They credit this behavior with helping them lose weight, manage money and even find love, and take pleasure in gauging their habits and productivity.

An astonishing number of apps monitor users' every move, providing details and analysis about their behavior -- and the new "datasexuals" love it.

(Read More)

Hillcrest Offers Motion Control for Phones, Tablets

2012-04-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

As tablet and mobile phone technology continue to grow and expand more and more companies are trying to capitalize on these new opportunities for development. In the meantime there is a current influx of very exciting new technology and ideas, for instance Hillcrest Labs is currently developing motion control technology for phones and tablets that will heighten user experience. The technology has many purposes including navigation, augmented reality, as well as many other things. Click here to read the full article.

Hillcrest Offers Motion Control for Phones, Tablets

By Monica Alleven

Hillcrest Labs might not be a household name, but it’s hoping to make its Freespace technology a common component in smartphones and tablets. The company today announced it will make Freespace available to manufacturers and component suppliers.

The company’s new Freespace MotionEngine for Mobile is an embedded software solution that manages the performance of motion sensors found in many of today’s smartphones and tablets – namely accelerometers, magnetometers and gyroscopes. Besides gaming applications, Hillcrest says there are myriad uses for motion in phones and tablets, including indoor navigation, fitness monitoring and augmented reality.

(Read More)