Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising transmitting, by a controller comprising a processor, a request to a server to enable initiation of a virtual private network session on behalf of devices other than the controller. The controller transmits authentication information to enable the server to validate the request, and receives a first list of computing devices. The controller transmits a first selection of a target device from the first list to cause the server to initiate the virtual private network session between the target device and a service node providing services to the target device via the virtual private network session. The controller receives a second list of applications executable on each of the computing devices, and transmits to the server a second selection of an application from the second list that is executable by the target device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising transmitting, by a controller comprising a processor, a request to a server to enable initiation of a virtual private network session on behalf of devices other than the controller. The controller transmits authentication information to enable the server to validate the request, and receives a first list of computing devices. The controller transmits a first selection of a target device from the first list to cause the server to initiate the virtual private network session between the target device and a service node providing services to the target device via the virtual private network session. The controller receives a second list of applications executable on each of the computing devices, and transmits to the server a second selection of an application from the second list that is executable by the target device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising transmitting, by a controller comprising a processor, a request to a server to enable initiation of a virtual private network session on behalf of devices other than the controller. The controller transmits authentication information to enable the server to validate the request, and receives a first list of computing devices. The controller transmits a first selection of a target device from the first list to cause the server to initiate the virtual private network session between the target device and a service node providing services to the target device via the virtual private network session. The controller receives a second list of applications executable on each of the computing devices, and transmits to the server a second selection of an application from the second list that is executable by the target device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example receiving an audio command from a mobile communication device via a first communication network for performing audio control of a remote device, converting the audio command to a text command, comparing the text command to a plurality of script commands associated with a script library to at least approximately match the text command to a first script command of the plurality of script commands, retrieving a first script from the script library according to the first script command, and transmitting a control message relating to the control message to an application programming interface service of a computing device via a second communication network, where the application programming interface service is configured to direct the remote device to perform a function according to the control message. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are for detecting and managing unauthorized use of cloud computing services from within an internal network of a business or other organization. A computer system may be configured to identify a plurality of Web resources that have been accessed by computing devices from within the internal network. The computer system may also be configured to obtain Internet protocol (“IP”) information from a network component of the internal network. The IP information may be used to determine whether each of the plurality of Web resources is a cloud computing service resource. The computer system may also be configured to block access to a cloud computing service resource of the plurality of Web resources upon determining that the IP information identifies the cloud computing service resource as being unauthorized.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising transmitting, by a controller comprising a processor, a request to a server to enable initiation of a virtual private network session on behalf of devices other than the controller. The controller transmits authentication information to enable the server to validate the request, and receives a first list of computing devices. The controller transmits a first selection of a target device from the first list to cause the server to initiate the virtual private network session between the target device and a service node providing services to the target device via the virtual private network session. The controller receives a second list of applications executable on each of the computing devices, and transmits to the server a second selection of an application from the second list that is executable by the target device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising transmitting, by a controller comprising a processor, a request to a server to enable initiation of a virtual private network session on behalf of devices other than the controller. The controller transmits authentication information to enable the server to validate the request, and receives a first list of computing devices. The controller transmits a first selection of a target device from the first list to cause the server to initiate the virtual private network session between the target device and a service node providing services to the target device via the virtual private network session. The controller receives a second list of applications executable on each of the computing devices, and transmits to the server a second selection of an application from the second list that is executable by the target device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are for detecting and managing unauthorized use of cloud computing services from within an internal network of a business or other organization. A computer system may be configured to identify a plurality of Web resources that have been accessed by computing devices from within the internal network. The computer system may also be configured to obtain Internet protocol (“IP”) information from a network component of the internal network. The IP information may be used to determine whether each of the plurality of Web resources is a cloud computing service resource. The computer system may also be configured to block access to a cloud computing service resource of the plurality of Web resources upon determining that the IP information identifies the cloud computing service resource as being unauthorized.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are for detecting and managing unauthorized use of cloud computing services from within an internal network of a business or other organization. A computer system may be configured to identify a plurality of Web resources that have been accessed by computing devices from within the internal network. The computer system may also be configured to obtain Internet protocol (“IP”) information from a network component of the internal network. The IP information may be used to determine whether each of the plurality of Web resources is a cloud computing service resource. The computer system may also be configured to block access to a cloud computing service resource of the plurality of Web resources upon determining that the IP information identifies the cloud computing service resource as being unauthorized.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising transmitting, by a controller comprising a processor, a request to a server to enable initiation of a virtual private network session on behalf of devices other than the controller. The controller transmits authentication information to enable the server to validate the request, and receives a first list of computing devices. The controller transmits a first selection of a target device from the first list to cause the server to initiate the virtual private network session between the target device and a service node providing services to the target device via the virtual private network session. The controller receives a second list of applications executable on each of the computing devices, and transmits to the server a second selection of an application from the second list that is executable by the target device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example receiving an audio command from a mobile communication device via a first communication network for performing audio control of a remote device, converting the audio command to a text command, comparing the text command to a plurality of script commands associated with a script library to at least approximately match the text command to a first script command of the plurality of script commands, retrieving a first script from the script library according to the first script command, and transmitting a control message relating to the control message to an application programming interface service of a computing device via a second communication network, where the application programming interface service is configured to direct the remote device to perform a function according to the control message. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are for subsidizing data usage in a mobile wireless network. A method for subsidizing data usage may include monitoring data traffic traversing the mobile wireless network, determining if the data traffic is directed to a unique uniform resource locator that is associated with a computing resource that data directed thereto is to be subsidized, and recording data usage for the data traffic and providing the data usage to a charging system of the mobile wireless network in response to determining that the data traffic is directed to the unique uniform resource locator.

Abstract: A mobile device equipped with at least a display and an input is used to connect to a server on the mobile network. Upon authentication of a user of the mobile device, the server generates the payment key, encodes the key in an image, such as a bar code, and transmits the image to the mobile device. The user holds the display of the mobile device up to an optical scanner at a POS terminal. Logic on the POS terminal extracts the payment key from the image, and uses the payment key to bill the user. The POS terminal transmits the bill with the payment key to the server on the network. The server ensures that the key is active, and debits an account for the user based on the amount presented in the bill. The key is de-activated after a specified time period or one use, whichever occurs first.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are for subsidizing data usage in a mobile wireless network. A method for subsidizing data usage may include monitoring data traffic traversing the mobile wireless network, determining if the data traffic is directed to a unique uniform resource locator that is associated with a computing resource that data directed thereto is to be subsidized, and recording data usage for the data traffic and providing the data usage to a charging system of the mobile wireless network in response to determining that the data traffic is directed to the unique uniform resource locator.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are for detecting and managing unauthorized use of cloud computing services from within an internal network of a business or other organization. A computer system may be configured to identify a plurality of Web resources that have been accessed by computing devices from within the internal network. The computer system may also be configured to obtain Internet protocol (“IP”) information from a network component of the internal network. The IP information may be used to determine whether each of the plurality of Web resources is a cloud computing service resource. The computer system may also be configured to block access to a cloud computing service resource of the plurality of Web resources upon determining that the IP information identifies the cloud computing service resource as being unauthorized.

Abstract: A mobile device equipped with at least a display and an input is used to connect to a server on the mobile network. Upon authentication of a user of the mobile device, the server generates the payment key, encodes the key in an image, such as a bar code, and transmits the image to the mobile device. The user holds the display of the mobile device up to an optical scanner at a POS terminal. Logic on the POS terminal extracts the payment key from the image, and uses the payment key to bill the user. The POS terminal transmits the bill with the payment key to the server on the network. The server ensures that the key is active, and debits an account for the user based on the amount presented in the bill. The key is de-activated after a specified time period or one use, whichever occurs first.