Looking for some fresh ideas to help make a difference on Earth Day this year? Look no further than your cell phone. According to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it’s estimated that more than 135 million cell phones –about four per second - will end up in landfills each year, and only about 10 percent of cell phones are recycled. Making the choice to recycle a used device represents a tremendous opportunity to reduce waste in the environment.

The following suggestions from U.S. Cellular show how simple it can be to find nearby recycling areas via your cell phone and highlight other easy ways to be more sustainable when using your device. All recommended apps are available on Google Play, and the tips work across a range of devices including the 4G LTE Android-powered Samsung Galaxy S III and Samsung Galaxy Note II.

The start of a new year is around the corner, and it’s the perfect time for a fresh start. Whether your New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, get better organized or save money, experts say making a daily effort will help you accomplish your goals over time, and your smartphone can serve as a handy tool to help you on your journey.

'Tis the season to be merry - and attend parties, host family dinners, bake pies and exchange gifts. Shopping, of course, is a major part of the holiday season, and mobile shopping continues to increase in popularity. One in four purchases will be made on a mobile device this year, according to Shopify, a leading ecommerce platform. Shopify predicts that mobile shopping will continue to grow and estimates that in 2013, 43 percent of holiday purchases will be made on a mobile device or tablet.

It's fall, which means school is back in session, the leaves are changing colors and some of your favorite television shows are finally returning after a too-long summer hiatus. Many people are excited to catch up with the “Modern Family” gang, “The Walking Dead” zombies and the new cast of “Dancing with the Stars,” and they don't want to miss a moment of their beloved shows while on the go. Luckily, smartphones and tablets are the perfect tools to stay connected, informed and entertained wherever you go.

With the 4G LTE network available through U.S. Cellular, customers can tune into “The Middle” while in the middle of a flight and keep up with the Kardashians while they're keeping up with their errands. Cutting-edge devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S III and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 allow users to catch all of their favorite sitcoms along with the news or even the big game from anywhere.

As the end of summer nears, college students and parents will soon be heading out of their driveways with cars filled to the brim with dorm room supplies. A visit to most any college campus in the United States will confirm that the majority of college students rely on their mobile phones. In fact, a recent study of campus mobile phone users found that 53 percent owned smartphones, but few take advantage of the many advanced features these phones offer (Test Kitchen Research Reports).

Whether you are a first year college student or returning to school, students often have to learn how to juggle work, school, and their social lives. A smartphone is a perfect tool to help students stay on track, balancing their classes and entertainment, as well as keeping in touch with Mom and Dad back home.

Summer is here, and with it comes great photo opportunities for family and friends. From vacations to just relaxing in the backyard, smartphones make it simple and easy to capture those memories you’ll want to keep forever.

Taking great photos on any smartphone is easy if you follow these basic tips:

With kids out of school and home for the summer, many families are planning their summer vacations. If staying close to home for vacation is your preference, there are plenty of applications in Google Play that can help you find things to do right here in Maine, including places to stay and the cheapest gas to get there. With the 4G LTE network through U.S. Cellular in the Bangor area, which is the first 4G LTE network in Maine, you can get what you want when you need it while traveling. Cutting-edge 4G LTE devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S Aviator and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, allow you to access thousands of cool apps to enhance your trip so you and your family will enjoy the journey.

The following apps are great for vacationing in the state of Maine:

In our constantly-on-the-go society, smartphones and tablets make it easy to navigate through even the busiest days. If you tend to get lost, travel often or strive to be more efficient, rely on your mobile device as a navigation tool. Whether you're embarking on a road trip, driving to your kids' away games, meeting clients in an unfamiliar area or going on a hike, new 4G LTE mobile devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy S Aviator or Samsung Galaxy S Tab 10.1, and the latest GPS technologies will get you there successfully.

Today's smartphones, tablets and GPS technologies are more sophisticated and user-friendly than ever before. Helpful new features include embedded GPS receivers and mapping services, providing real-time position tracking and voice-guided or text directions.

A smartphone is a device that allows you to take care of your handheld computing and communication needs in a single, small package. Sure, we can use the mobile phone to make phone calls and send text messages, but today’s phones are so much more. Not only do we use them for voice communication, they can now be used for video calls, connecting to the Internet, as music or video players, gaming consoles and photo and video cameras.

Smartphones provide you with all sorts of personal entertainment options while on-the-go. It’s all about the ability to communicate, access information and entertain anytime, anywhere. U.S. Cellular recommends using your smartphone for the following needs.

Your smartphone as a camera: Part of what's made the smartphone such an ideal photography choice is the simple fact that it's the one device people have on them at all times. Smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S Aviator, come equipped with an 8MP auto focus camera with an LED flash. Not only does it capture detailed photos, taking a picture with your smartphone allows you to share a photo as soon as you take it, either by email, text, through apps like Instagram or social media sites, such as Facebook.

Imagine filling out your 2011 tax return in the palm of your hand. Whether you’re using a smartphone or mobile tablet, there are several smartphone features and mobile apps that can help you prepare and even file your 2011 taxes, as well as check the status of your refund, from anywhere.

Mobile devices can simplify things for those who want to file their own taxes when and where it’s convenient for them. They are truly all-in-one devices that can help you get things done faster and get what you want when you need it.

U.S. Cellular recommends the following apps available for download from the Android Market: