Abstract: A method and apparatus for organizing a geographically tagged media file, the method obtaining geographical information for the media file; identifying a subfolder for the media file; and placing the media file in the identified subfolder. Also, a method and apparatus for utilizing an album of geographically tagged media files within a media application, the method allowing a third party application access to the geographically tagged media files; and upon selection of the third party application within the media application, launching the third party application populated with the album of geographically tagged media files.

Abstract: Ephemeris data is downloaded intelligently to a GPS-enabled wireless communications device based on user activity rather than at fixed predetermined intervals. Ephemeris data can be downloaded to enable both Aided GPS and Assisted GPS. The device can download ephemeris data based on the frequency of requests into an API communicating with a GPS driver, based on the detection of a new network, or a change in time zone of the network time. Intelligent, adaptive downloading of ephemeris optimizes the usage of bandwidth and the data charge to the user while ensuring that ephemeris data is cached to provide assistance for location-based services such as turn-based navigation.

Abstract: A host server is configured to switch communications associated with an account between first and second mobile devices. The server stores a mapping of the account to a first PIN which identifies the first mobile device, and communicates messages via a wireless network based on the stored mapping using the first PIN for data synchronization therebetween. The server then receives a request for device switching. In response, the server switches the mapping of the account to a second PIN which identifies a second mobile device, and communicates messages via the wireless network based on the switched stored mapping using the second PIN for data synchronization therebetween. The mapping of the account to the first PIN may be maintained even after switching the stored mapping to the second PIN, for a subsequent request for switching back to the first mobile device for the account.

Abstract: A wireless communications device includes a radiofrequency transceiver having a wireless voice channel for transmitting and receiving voice communications and a separate wireless data channel for concurrently transmitting and receiving other data. The wireless communications device also includes a memory operatively connected to a processor for processing current location data received over the data channel from another communications device with which the wireless communications device is simultaneously communicating on the voice channel. The wireless communications further includes a display for displaying a phone screen during a voice call, the phone screen presenting call-related information. A map is displayed on the phone screen during the voice call, the map presenting a location current of the other communications device based on the current location data received over the data channel. Optionally, the map can also show the current location of the wireless communications device.

Abstract: Techniques for use in processing user data associated with a user account of a mobile device having an application is described. The mobile device includes a memory and an interface configured to receive a removable memory card. A encryption/decryption key is stored in the memory, but is not stored in the removable memory card. The mobile device regularly receives and stores updates to the user data in the memory for use in the application. For updates to the user data, the mobile device updates a copy of the user data stored in the removable memory card in an encrypted format in accordance with the encryption/decryption key.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method of operating a mobile communication device operable to execute one or more communication applications includes issuing a query for contact data over a communication network, creating a contact resolution object, receiving contact data responsive to the query over the communication network, the contact data comprising communication contact data for the one or more communication applications, associating the contact data received with the contact resolution object, and resolving the contact resolution object to select communication contact data.

Abstract: A system for prioritizing and displaying received messages, including e-mail, SMS, IM, multimedia, and voicemail, at a communication device includes means for dynamically associating a priority value with a received message upon detection of an evaluation event, and means for dynamically updating a listing of received messages associated with at least a priority value equal to or greater than a predetermined priority value in a designated priority viewport. The viewport is constantly viewable in a message listing screen and comprises a listing of prioritized messages separate and apart from non-prioritized messages. Evaluation events may include user operation such as reading, deleting, replying, moving, or forwarding the message and similar operations, or a determination that the message has reached a predetermined age.

Abstract: A method in a wireless communications device for transmitting current location information representing a current location of the wireless communications device. The method entails, from within a communication application executing on a processor of the wireless communications device, causing the wireless communications device to obtain the current location information representing the current location of the wireless communications device, including the current location information in a communication generated from within the communication application, and transmitting the communication that includes the current location information. The method optionally entails a further step of performing a reverse look-up of GPS coordinates representing the current location to determine address information for including in the communication. Location information, such as maps or URLs to maps can be sent directly from an e-mail application or instant messenger without having to separately launch a mapping application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for organizing a geographically tagged media file, the method obtaining geographical information for the media file; identifying a subfolder for the media file; and placing the media file in the identified subfolder. Also, a method and apparatus for utilizing an album of geographically tagged media files within a media application, the method allowing a third party application access to the geographically tagged media files; and upon selection of the third party application within the media application, launching the third party application populated with the album of geographically tagged media files.

Abstract: A device and method for displaying received messages, such as email, SMS, IM, multimedia, and voicemail, are provided. Each of a plurality of received messages, initially unread, is associated with a value. The device concurrently displays a first message listing and a second message listing, the first message listing comprising entries for messages of the plurality of received messages associated with a value meeting a specified threshold, and the second message listing comprising entries for other messages of the plurality of received messages. When a message associated with a value meeting the specified threshold and having an entry in the first message listing is marked read, the displayed message listings are updated to remove the entry for the message from the first message listing and to include an entry for the message in the second message listing.

Abstract: A host server is configured to switch communications associated with an account between first and second mobile devices. The server stores a mapping of the account to a first PIN which identifies the first mobile device, and communicates messages via a wireless network based on the stored mapping using the first PIN for data synchronization therebetween. The server then receives a request for device switching. In response, the server switches the mapping of the account to a second PIN which identifies a second mobile device, and communicates messages via the wireless network based on the switched stored mapping using the second PIN for data is synchronization therebetween. The mapping of the account to the first PIN may be maintained even after switching the stored mapping to the second PIN, for a subsequent request for switching back to the first mobile device for the account.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device, such as a GPS-enabled wireless communications device with an embedded camera, a GPS-enabled camera-phone or a GPS-enabled digital camera, determines whether ephemeris data needs to be obtained for geotagging digital photos taken with the device. By monitoring user activity with respect to the camera, such as activation of the camera, the device can begin pre-acquisition of a GPS position fix by obtaining needed ephemeris data before the photograph is actually taken. This GPS pre-acquisition improves the likelihood that a position fix (GPS lock) is achieved by the time the photo is taken (to enable immediate geotagging). Alternatively, the photo can be geotagged retroactively by appending the current location to the metadata tag associated with the digital photo. An optional acquisition status indicator can be displayed on a user interface of the device to indicate that a position fix is being obtained.

Abstract: A method and handheld electronic device for detecting and providing notification of a device drop are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method for providing notification of a device drop on an electronic device, the method comprising: receiving first data from a first sensor; monitoring second data from at least one of a second sensor or input device to detect one or more secondary indications of a device drop; and issuing an alert when the first data indicates a freefall event and the second data indicates at least one secondary indication of a device drop has been detected.

Abstract: A method of displaying a map on a portable electronic device entails requesting map data that includes label data for at least one map label for a map feature known alternatively by a first name and a second name. The method further involves determining, based on a predetermined criterion, which of the first name and the second name is to be displayed on the portable electronic device. The predetermined criterion may be, for example, the current location of the device, a carrier identifier, or a personal identifier containing geographically relevant information from which a preferred map label may be inferred.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device, such as a GPS-enabled wireless communications device with an embedded camera, a GPS-enabled camera-phone or a GPS-enabled digital camera, determines whether ephemeris data needs to be obtained for geotagging digital photos taken with the device. By monitoring user activity with respect to the camera, such as activation of the camera, the device can begin pre-acquisition of a GPS position fix by obtaining needed ephemeris data before the photograph is actually taken. This GPS pre-acquisition improves the likelihood that a position fix (GPS lock) is achieved by the time the photo is taken (to enable immediate geotagging). Alternatively, the photo can be geotagged retroactively by appending the current location to the metadata tag associated with the digital photo. An optional acquisition status indicator can be displayed on a user interface of the device to indicate that a position fix is being obtained.

Abstract: To perform thread-based message prioritization, metadata may be extracted from a received electronic message. Based on the extracted message metadata and accumulated metadata extracted from previously received messages, a message thread to which the received electronic message belongs may be identified. Based on a set of thread priority assessment criteria, a priority level for the message thread may be determined. At least part of the message thread may be processed according to the priority level. The processing may be altering a notification behavior of an electronic messaging client for electronic messages of the message thread. Thread priority assessment may be based on user-configurable criteria that may be set via a graphical user interface. Message thread identification may also be based on user-configurable criteria that may be set via a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method of operating a mobile communication device operable to execute one or more communication applications includes issuing a query for contact data over a communication network, creating a contact resolution object, receiving contact data responsive to the query over the communication network, the contact data comprising communication contact data for the one or more communication applications, associating the contact data received with the contact resolution object, and resolving the contact resolution object to select communication contact data.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling instant messages to be exchanged between mobile devices, in particular where a mobile device has access to information pertaining to another mobile device. The system enables an instant messaging application to communicate directly with the other mobile device, without requiring an initial email exchange. New contacts can be added automatically and access to other data such provided by having a mobile device access information for another mobile device. The information can be made available through a contact server of the host system common to both mobile devices thereby providing a trusted mechanism to establish the new contacts. In one example, in a PIN-to-PIN based messaging system, a global address list (GAL) lookup can be incorporated into an option for adding a new contact so that the PIN for the invitee is obtained directly and the invitation sent immediately in a PIN-to-PIN message thus not requiring an email invitation.

Abstract: A method and handheld electronic device for detecting and providing notification of a device drop are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method for providing notification of a device drop on an electronic device having a processor coupled to a memory and an accelerometer, the method comprising: receiving an input from the accelerometer; and issuing an alert when the input indicates a freefall event and at least one secondary indication of a device drop exists.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling instant messages to be exchanged between mobile devices, in particular where a mobile device has access to information pertaining to another mobile device. The system enables an instant messaging application to communicate directly with the other mobile device, without requiring an initial email exchange. New contacts can be added automatically and access to other data such provided by having a mobile device access information for another mobile device. The information can be made available through a contact server of the host system common to both mobile devices thereby providing a trusted mechanism to establish the new contacts. In one example, in a PIN-to-PIN based messaging system, a global address list (GAL) look-up can be incorporated into an option for adding a new contact so that the PIN for the invitee is obtained directly and the invitation sent immediately in a PIN-to-PIN message thus not requiring an email invitation.