Abstract: A handheld device (such as a personal digital assistant or a cellular telephone) is capable of receiving digital information obtained from a broadcast source during, for example, the vertical blanking interval or from the Internet. The handheld device is capable of both formulating an instruction based on the digital information received and transferring the information and/or instruction to a remote electronic device. The instructions are used by the remote electronic device to perform a particular operation.

Abstract: An adaptive learning system learns and adapts to behavior of a user enjoying media content via a handheld device. The system includes a user interface provided to the handheld device and operable to receive user input, and a media delivery mechanism provided to the user interface and operable to deliver media content to the user in response to the user input. In further aspects, the system includes a data store provided to the handheld device and operable to record information relating to user consumption of media content, wherein the user consumption occurs in connection with delivering electronic media content.