December 24, 2010 in Business News, Technology by jferris

Chicago Cell Phone Repair Offers Advice on How to Protect Wireless Devices from Spyware and Viruses

Cell phones are subjected to the same awful tragedies as home computers – contracting viruses, spyware or malware. Because users can also access the Internet with cell phones, and because cell phones are great at keeping track of ultra-intensive data such as call logs, e-mails and text messages, some malicious forces are beginning to target them.

In the ever-evolving wireless industry, cell phones are becoming more and more intelligent and jam-packed with cool features. There are more and more apps that hold sensitive information – such as online banking account numbers – and hackers are lurking in the wireless world’s water, seeking their prey.

What is more disconcerting is the fact that the wireless industry is currently faced with even more security challenges, especially now that organizations are demanding more open networks on their devices, applications and content. With that in mind, wireless network carriers are still working hard to protect their consumers. When and if wireless security breaks wide open, it will be totally up to the consumer to protect his/her own data from spam, viruses and other threats.

What spyware does is what the name says; it “spies”. Data can be collected and extracted from text or instant messages, e-mails or contact lists. Software physically embedded on cell phones can be used to eavesdrop and can even be utilized as a GPS tracking tool that can remotely monitor the cell phone owner’s location.

“Although the wireless industry does try hard to protect consumer’s confidential information, it can only go so far,” said Jeff Gasner, owner of CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair. “To protect your phone from spyware, make sure you know where your phone is at all times, meaning don’t lend your phone to anyone or leave it unmonitored. This gives someone a chance to tamper with it. Also think about password protecting your phone.”

Other types of malware, on the other hand, are data extraction tools that collect data for unscrupulous companies or persons that use it for identity theft purposes. Viruses can be also be distributed through websites and e-mail attachments.

“If you think your cell phone has a virus, take it to your wireless network service provider or to an independent cell phone repair shop like CPR,” Gasner said.

To learn more visit:  http://www.chicagocellrepair.com

December 20, 2010 in Business News, Technology by jferris

Chicago Cell Phone Repair Can Help with Blackberry Woes

Cell phones are great, Fantastic tools to get around and keep connected to the virtual world. On the other hand, cell phones can be very tetchy apparatuses.

Smart phones are noted more for their sleek design than their durability. That’s why, as most s smart phone users can attest, all it takes is one drop and the thing goes kaput. One way to keep from damaging the smart phone’s sensitive body is instead opt in on purchasing one of those military-certified handset phones that are practically water proof, shock proof, and bypass all the cool apps and features of smart phones.

The BlackBerry smart phones, for instance, have had been noted for trackball issues. The newer BlackBerry models boast new track pads to answer the old trackball malfunctions. However, there have been reports that some of the newer BlackBerry track pad models seem to be very sketchy and flighty. Some users find their own way of dealing with the issues, such as balancing on one foot and applying the right kind of pressure with one finger in order for it work just so.

So, what is a wireless consumer to do when his or her high-tech smart phone decides to go south just when it is needed most? For one, the consumer can take it to the wireless service provider, hope that it came with a good replacement insurance plan, or shell out more money for another phone. There is, however, another option.

“You can simply bring it to us!” said Jeff Gasner, owner of CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair. “We are an independent cell phone repair store that can help you with most of your cell phone woes, we can also in most cases, retrieve your lost data for you, even when your phone is non-responsive.”

Chicago Cell Phone Repair can also help with broken BlackBerry trackballs or track pads, broken BlackBerry camera lenses, broken Blackberry screens or keyboards and damaged housing, to name a few.

So before any poor owner of a broken BlackBerry phone chucks it or digs deeper in his or her pocket for a new phone, perform CPR on it – bring it to a qualified CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair Specialist, that is—and let them fix it.

To learn more visit:  http://www.chicagocellrepair.com

November 30, 2010 in Business News, Technology by jferris

Tips to Save Cell Phones from Water Damage from CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair

Cell phones can be brought back from the brink of destruction after they have suffered water damage. But when all else fails when trying to revive a cell phone, seek the expertise of a professional independent cell phone repair shop like CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair.

One of the most common and costly incidents that cell phone owners suffer is water damage. The experience of dropping a phone in water – whether it’s the toilet or pool or some other bizarre location – can break even the most indestructible of phones. Water damage more often than not deems a cell phone inoperable.

There are some things people can do to help revive their cell phones from water damage, but they must be done fast. It helps to immediately turn off the cell phone and remove the battery and SIM card before removing excess water with a towel. Using a hair dryer or any heating element on the cell phone or its battery is a bad idea as it can damage the internal elements. After drying the cell phone off, the cell phone should be set out to dry. This process can take up to three days.

People can save themselves some time by going straight to an independent cell phone repair shop like CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair instead of doing it themselves and waiting three long days and praying that it will come back to life. Cell phone repair technicians might have to actually repair the exposed parts, which would be near impossible for consumers to do on their own.

“There are a lot of cell phone repair tips out there to save your cell phone from water damage,” said Jeffrey H. Gassner of CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair. “One thing that you have to remember is that they don’t always work. When your cell phone doesn’t respond, you should bring it to us and let our qualified technicians fix it for you and save you the headache.”

To learn more visit:  http://www.chicagocellrepair.com

November 25, 2010 in Business News, Technology by jferris

Chicago Cell Phone Repair Encourages Customers to Recycle Older Devices

Companies are participating in a program that makes cell phones and cell phone accessories recyclable and put into good use.

Consumers are constantly going out with the old and getting on with the new with their cell phones. Many don’t know that they have the option of recycling it.

A new program called “Wireless…The New Recyclable” hopes to change this. It is a voluntary recycling program that the wireless industry established to help assist environmentally sound practices among carriers and manufacturers. The program helps encourage consumers to recycle their wireless devices. Participating members include ALLTEL Wireless, Nokia, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. A much more comprehensive list is available at http://www.recyclewirelessphones.com/. Consumers can recycle old wireless devices and accessories to any of the participating companies to take a proactive stance toward helping the environment.

“Although we are recycling site also, some of these recycling programs help provide recycled phones to domestic violence victims with matching airtime. Not only will you recycle your old phone but you will be helping out a good cause.” Said CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair owner Jeffrey H. Gassner.

Gassner from CPR – Chicago Cell Phone Repair is referring to programs such as “Call to Protect” and Verizon Wireless’s “Call2Recycle”. T-Mobile’s program helps children with single parents in need and Motorola has a “Race to Recycle Program” where the proceeds go to raise funds for K-12 schools. Proceeds from the Sprint Project Connect go to “4NetSafety” program, which helps kids be safer on the Internet. Many other programs such as Nokia, BlueGrass Cellular and Kyocera are helping to reduce waste and support global environmental sustainability.

Before people turn in phones to any of these companies, there are three things to remember to do. The person must first terminate service. Second, he or she should clear the phone’s memory of all the information such as contacts, pictures, phone numbers, etc. The next step is to remove the SIM card.

People can recycle the phone battery with the phone. They can also recycle accessories including cables, headsets, earpieces, cases, clips and cradles, as well as wireless devices like PDAs.

To learn more visit:  http://www.chicagocellrepair.com

October 14, 2010 in Business News, Technology by jferris

CPR Launches Online Stores

With personal computers now ubiquitous in our society, the CPR online store was just a good idea waiting to happen.

Our online stores are here. CPR Cell Phone Repair is proud to announce the most ambitiously omnipresent aspect of its sales and marketing persona. Now you can switch on your personal computer and do more than Google the local zoo, no matter how much you enjoy giraffes, pink flamingos and the occasional odd roaming wildebeest. The day has arrived where CPR Cell Phone Repair is able to offer you the same excellent service found in our retail outlets, but online.

“We knew it would happen someday,” said Ralph, a certified technical support employee in one of CPR’s busy retail shops. “We just knew.”

Ralph grew up as a geek in a remote part of Chicagoland, tinkering to his heart’s content. He’s still tinkering, but now his expertise is available in the ether of cyberspace.

Ralph finds himself almost giddy with the possibilities. “Our online store stocks hundreds of cell phone parts from the most popular manufacturers,” he said. “We also carry name brand covers, chargers, batteries and even the occasional wildebeest-themed cellphone. If it’s cell phone-related, you will find it here.”

Ralph rattled off a few of the menagerie of items available online. “We have in stock, right at this moment, don’t know about a moment from now as they’re going fast – the LG VU CU920 Digitizer touchscreen, a whole bin full of battery covers for the very popular iPhone 3G, a pride of iPhone 4GB & 8GB LCD screens with touchscreen digitizers, a flock of Naztech edge Blackberry bold (9000) rubberized gel skin, and a herd of Blackberry 8300 Series silicone covers and that’s not all,” he said.

Ralph was no doubt referring to a family of smartphones, including cell phones (all phones and PDAs blessed with 6-month extended manufacturer’s warranties), a nifty selection of refurbished and used game systems and games for less, and last but not least, accessories. “Why not accessorize your electronics at CPR, receive our lifetime warranty, and do it with the convenience of being online?” asked Ralph.

Agreed, why not?

To learn more visit:  http://www.chicagocellrepair.com

October 14, 2010 in Business News, Technology by jferris

CPR franchises still a great opportunity

According to CPR’s Jeff Gasner, the CPR franchise boom hasn’t peaked yet.

CPR franchises have been selling like cell phones, with more than 10 dozen already sold. “CPR has reached over 120 stores sold as a franchise, and we’re just getting started,” said Jeff Gasner, entrepreneur and CPR co-owner.

Why would someone want to invest in a franchise opportunity? The answers may surprise you, especially while other economic sectors continue to struggle.

“To begin with, CPR has name recognition,” Gasner said. “Our name, which is a registered trademark, is the oldest, most firmly established, widely-known and respected brand name in the cell phone repair industry.”

Nearly everyone owns a cell phone in today’s society, and nearly everyone breaks one at one time or another. The cell phone repair industry is here to stay and there is no better way to tap into this highly lucrative market than with a CPR franchise.

Just as the auto repair industry grew rapidly in proportion to the number of cars being manufactured, the growth rate of cell phones and the cellular repair industry is following the same pattern. The market for cell phone repairs is still in the early growth stages, and it will take many years for the expansion of this market to approach saturation. Owning a CPR franchise is still a ground-floor business opportunity in terms of startup cost and earnings potential.

As a franchisee, according to Gasner, investors can become a member of a real helping profession. “You’ll be able to offer a full range of cellular repair services to your customers with a brand name they’ve come to trust and respect,” Gasner said. “If that’s not helping, I don’t know what is.”

But there’s more. Potential investors won’t have to go it alone. “Best of all, you’ll get the full support of the CPR team – a group that is committed to providing you with the training, equipment and resources you need to make your CPR store a successful, well-established business.

“Recession? What recession? Is there a recession?” asked Gasner, only partly in jest. “When you own a CPR franchise, current economic conditions might even improve your business.”

In addition to “old-fashioned” cell phones, CPR stores specialize in repairing smartphones, iPods, gaming systems, computers, GPS units and a lot more.

To learn more visit:  http://www.chicagocellrepair.com

August 5, 2010 in Business News, Technology by jferris

Bring a Damaged iPhone4 into CPR

Now that consumers have learned to their chagrin that simply holding their iPhone4 wonder toys can lead to dropped calls, they may wish to really drop them. If that should happen, it’s nice to know that a friendly CPR independent repair shop is just around the corner.

Consumers don’t always hold their iPhone4 devices properly. Such mishandling, while not initially careless, can lead to dropped calls. While some consumers might not realize that their fancy devices can be used as a phone, and remain captivated by the multitude of available apps, such a realization, once it hits, can lead to frustration and rage.

“I’ve heard of owners deliberately breaking their iPhone4 after undergoing such an experience,” asserts Rick Roland Roberts, a certified CPR service technician, when the question was recently broached. “Afterwards, they’re remorseful, and just want to get their device fixed,” he explains, “So they take it to us.”

A trip to a consumer’s nearest CPR is quite often an excellent idea.

“We’re here to help,” Roberts adds, a geek who might seem like a superhero sometimes, minus the cape and tights.

Roberts is also quite aware of the so-called ‘death-grip’ that’s been going around – an issue brought about by not holding the iPhone4 correctly.

When a call is dropped as a consequence of something so inexplicable, consumers want to know why it happened.

“When you hold it that way, it blocks the antenna’s reception,” the counter geek explained, “It’s a wraparound antenna unique to the iPhone4.”

Sometimes when a dropped call is important, it hurts to lose it, at least emotionally. A sudden surge of rage may result, and an errant iPhone4 might get hurled against the hard ground or the nearest wall. After all, it is supposed to be a reliable phone.

“But the crucial thing to appreciate, that when you take it to CPR, it gets repaired,” Roberts said, “and when someone is presented with their device functioning perfectly again, they tend to calm down.”

But CPR can’t repair a manufacturer’s defect embedded in a device. “It’s a flaw, that’s for sure,” concludes Roberts, “and it has to be pretty annoying when an important call gets dropped just because you don’t happen to be holding the phone in the most conducive way. I can kind of understand how somebody’s temper might get activated at such times.”

CPR’s expert service technicians understand.

To learn more visit: http://www.chicagocellrepair.com

August 5, 2010 in Business News, Technology by jferris

When iPads Go Bad, Take Them to CPR

Consumers are starting to exploit the dark side of iPads. When this activity is taken to extremes and an iPad breaks, CPR becomes the ideal solution.

Consumers are beginning to discover the dark side of iPads. More and more owners of the popular gadgets are exploiting their iPads in sensation-crazed ways that would nauseate anyone with a conscience. Paul G. Pontificate, a certified CPR service technician, pontificates thusly, “I have an acquaintance who recently admitted to me that he loves to watch crashes on his iPad. It doesn’t matter what – trains smashing into cars, helicopters flailing like gyroscopes with its passengers screaming on a digitized recording, little boats getting smacked by ocean liners, or something even more atrocious pulled from YouTube. He should be ashamed.” Such people also like to tell racist jokes and the gorier the better.

Sometimes the dark side of iPad leads to extremes. Consumers drop them. Desensitizing images might make them careless toward their own device. In addition, these same desensitized consumers lose respect for their iPads and begin to nitpick about its flaws – “I hate my iPad, it can’t multi-task; my freaking iPad doesn’t have a camera or flash; my iPad is too big to flush down the toilet.”

As a consequence of such attitudes, expert service technicians at CPR are beginning to see a lot of damaged iPads. “People damage their iPads in incredible ways,” asserts CPR’s Pontificate, “They drop them and smash them – perhaps emulating some of the desensitizing images they’ve been watching for weeks and weeks. But the good news is that we can usually fix them.”

After their nurturing and positive experience at their nearest CPR, a typical consumer is more contrite. “Once their iPad is fixed, they tend to become all smiley and nice and less likely to head immediately for the dark, visually pornographic apps,” Pontificate blithely pontificates, “I’ve even seem them asking about religious apps and nature scene apps and pleasant tune apps and wondering where to find them.

Pontificate is often asked about his unusual name. “It’s Italian and pronounced ‘Pont-i-fi-ca-tay” he says proudly, pointing to his heritage. “I think that one of the Popes had the same surname if I’m not mistaken.” Unfortunately, he is mistaken – but not about CPR’s proven expertise when it comes to fixing iPads.

To learn more visit: http://www.chicagocellrepair.com

August 5, 2010 in Business News, Technology by jferris

Broken iPads Becoming Common

It’s nice to know that if you break your iPad, an independent repair shop can fix it.

Before they’d been off the shelves for an entire day, reports of iPads being damaged by consumers started to pour in. “I’m not sure what it is. Are people just being careless or are they real klutzes that should have ‘I’m stupid’ branded as painfully as possible into their foreheads?” said iPad chief pundit Kid L. Vicious. Vicious reported that most of the damaged iPads had been dropped, some from great heights. “One was dropped from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon by a consumer who was moonlighting as a tourist,” Vicious explained, “People who climb around precipices while holding an iPad just sicken me,” he said, in his characteristic raspy voice well-known to residents of Bayonne, New Jersey, where Vicious was born and raised. “Right behind one of the big oil tanks,” he remembers fondly, “We used to play in our kid street gangs on top of the things and hope one of us wasn’t pushed off.”

Typically when an iPad is dropped, the glass digitizer panel gets cracked. “Some of these consumers are so stupid they can get cut with the broken glass shards,” Vicious explains, “One guy I know got his cornea scratched that way, and he was howling in pain. It was sort of funny.”

The lack of human decency and compassion displayed by Kid L. Vicious notwithstanding, reports of dropped iPads are increasing. Other common repair problems occurring with the iPads involve the port at the bottom. Some consumers have reported issues when plugging their iPads into a computer application such as Windows 7, getting messages such as “device wasn’t recognized” or were simply unable to connect their iPads to a computer. Some consumers were unable to get their iPads charged. They’d plug it into a socket and nothing would happen.

Although Kid L. Vicious would probably recommend something less helpful or even something unprintable, a more prudent course of action is simply to go to your nearest independent repair shop – but please remember to take your broken iPad with you. If you don’t bring it, it can’t be repaired. At the independent repair shop, a certified service technician will be eager to help.

Jeff Gasner is with CPR-Cell Phone repair. The leader in Cell Phone Repair and iPod Repair offering cell phone repair services nationwide. Visit http://www.chicagocellrepair.com

August 5, 2010 in Business News, Technology by jferris

The iPhone4 Has a Curious Flaw

Now that consumers have learned to their chagrin that simply holding their iPhone4 wonder toys can lead to dropped calls, they may wish to really drop them – if only for a fateful second. If that should happen, it’s nice to know that a friendly independent repair shop is just around the corner.

Namby R. Pamby never realized that he and the legendary Darth Vader might have something in common. One day, he was using his newest wonder toy, Apple’s iPhone4, as – of all things – a phone, and he suddenly dropped a call. Around the corner, conveniently as it happened, was an independent repair shop. Mr. Pamby walked in, obviously upset, and when asked, handed his distressed gadget to an expert service technician behind the counter. The technician, observant for a geek, noticed the tell-tale sign.

“Do you always hold your iPhone 4 like that,” he said.

Namby nodded.

The geek was suddenly transformed into a know-it-all superhero, minus the cape and tights. “That’s the classic ‘death-grip’ that’s been going around,” he said, full of certainty, “You weren’t holding the phone correctly.”

Improperly chastened, Mr. Pamby felt unjustly proud. No one had ever accused him of having a death grip. Namby was intrigued at the potential of being considered all-powerful – like Darth Vader. Still, he’d inexplicably dropped a call. He wanted to know why.

Mr. Pamby’s look, a visage both subservient and dominant simultaneously, demanded an explanation from the service technician.

“When you hold it that way, it blocks the antenna’s reception,” the counter geek explained, “It’s a wraparound antenna unique to the iPhone4.”

The call was important. It was a direct communication with Namby’s mother, Pammy Pamby. Feeling a sudden surge of omnipotent rage, Namby Pamby inexplicably hurled his iPhone against the opposite wall. “It’s supposed to be a phone!” he screamed in his soft, sweet way – a strange and awe-inspiring sound you had to hear to believe. Tears were rolling down his cheeks.

The geek calmly picked up the phone, its view screen suddenly shattered, and intoned in his most compassionate voice tone, “It’s okay. We can fix it. Come back in an hour.”

Namby R. Pamby walked into a nearby Starbucks, a ubiquitous one, and drowned his sorrows in a gentle mocha. When some time had elapsed, he re-entered the independent repair shop not knowing what to expect.

“It’s fixed,” said the expert service technician. The now contrite Mr. Pamby was all coffee-colored smiles. “Be careful with that death grip,” the service technician warned, “You’re no Vader.”

Jeff Gasner is with CPR-Cell Phone repair. The leader in Cell Phone Repair and iPod Repair offering cell phone repair services nationwide. Visit http://www.chicagocellrepair.com.