Abstract: A method and system of providing custom background-downloads, where content is selected for background downloading to a subscriber based on an analysis of the current time, the subscriber's current location, and online transaction history records regarding a plurality of subscribers over time, each record indicating content that was a subject of the transaction. A custom content server may determine the subscriber's current location and the current time, and the server may then select transaction history records reflecting transactions that occurred in the past at a similar location and time (possibly just records for transactions involving the subscriber currently at issue). The server may then select one or more pieces of available content based on their similarity to the content indicated by the selected transaction records. And the server may background-download the selected content to the subscriber. The invention can be used to provide custom-channel definitions or custom content-catalogs, for instance.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device comprises a processor, a memory, a display, and a first application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, receives indications of a plurality of events. The application also stores event information associated with the events in the memory, and when a user interface of a second application that is presented on the display is navigated away from, presents an announcement about one of the stored event information on the display.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device comprises a processor, a memory, a display, and a first application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, receives indications of a plurality of events. The application also stores event information associated with the events in the memory, and when a user interface of a second application that is presented on the display is navigated away from, presents an announcement about one of the stored event information on the display.

Abstract: A method and system of providing custom background-downloads, where content is selected for background downloading to a subscriber based on an analysis of the current time, the subscriber's current location, and online transaction history records regarding a plurality of subscribers over time, each record indicating content that was a subject of the transaction. A custom content server may determine the subscriber's current location and the current time, and the server may then select transaction history records reflecting transactions that occurred in the past at a similar location and time (possibly just records for transactions involving the subscriber currently at issue). The server may then select one or more pieces of available content based on their similarity to the content indicated by the selected transaction records. And the server may background-download the selected content to the subscriber. The invention can be used to provide custom-channel definitions or custom content-catalogs, for instance.

Abstract: A mobile device is provided. The mobile device comprises a wireless transceiver, a first application, a second application, and an interface. The wireless transceiver provides a wireless communication link to a communication network. The second application provides communication based on the wireless communication link. The interface presents, when the first application is active on the mobile device, an indication of a communication directed to the second application being received via the wireless communication link for less than 2 seconds before the second application pre-empts the first application.

Abstract: A mobile device is provided. The mobile device comprises a wireless transceiver, a first application, a second application, and an interface. The wireless transceiver provides a wireless communication link to a communication network. The second application provides communication based on the wireless communication link. The interface presents, when the first application is active on the mobile device, an indication of a communication directed to the second application being received via the wireless communication link for less than 2 seconds before the second application pre-empts the first application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the frequency of content background-downloading. An apparatus such as a cell phone, personal digital assistant, or computer, will be set to perform background-downloads of content at a particular frequency. The apparatus will then determine the frequency with which a user accesses background-downloaded content on the device, and the apparatus will use the determined frequency as a basis to automatically adjust the background-download frequency. For instance, if the user-access frequency is greater than the background-download frequency, then the apparatus may increase the background-download frequency, whereas, if the user-access frequency is less than the background-download frequency, then the apparatus may decrease the background-download frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing data resources on a computing device. One or more data resources are pre-loaded on the device but are not accessible to application programs on the device. A resource manager sits on the device as an intermediary or gatekeeper to manage the data resources. The resource manager maintains a set of access-rights data that indicates for each of the data resources whether a right exists to access the data resource. In response to a request to access or add a given one of the pre-loaded but not yet accessible data resources, the resource manager invokes a network-based rights-acquisition session through which the device acquires a right to access the data resource. The access-rights data is then updated to reflect that an access-right exists, and access is thereafter allowed.