Abstract: A mobile device system and related method are disclosed by which the device is able to communicate wirelessly not only via a Wide Area Network (WAN) communication link but also via an alternate communication link such as a Wi-Fi communication link. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting an availability of an additional (alternate) communication link made possible via an access point (AP), determining whether one or more first criteria relating to one or both of the AP and the device have been met and, provided that the one or more first criteria are met, automatically launching a browser to communicate with one or both of the AP and a remote server. The method further includes determining based upon one or more interactions whether one or more second criteria have been met and, provided that the one or more second criteria are met, conducting communications via the additional communication link.

Abstract: Methods of operating mobile or other electronic devices so as to achieve a transmission of data between those devices, and related systems and components, are described. In one exemplary embodiment, a method of operating a first mobile device so as to achieve a transmission of data from the mobile device to an additional electronic device includes tracking a positional variation of an object situated proximate a display screen of the mobile device by determining locations of the object over time using a sensing assembly of the mobile device. The method further includes determining a point or region on the display screen based upon the tracked positional variation of the object, identifying an image portion corresponding to the point or region, where the data is associated with the image portion, and transmitting the data from the mobile device, whereby the data is capable of being received by the additional electronic device.

Abstract: A mobile device system and related method are disclosed by which the device is able to communicate wirelessly not only via a Wide Area Network (WAN) communication link but also via an alternate communication link such as a Wi-Fi communication link. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting an availability of an additional (alternate) communication link made possible via an access point (AP), determining whether one or more first criteria relating to one or both of the AP and the device have been met and, provided that the one or more first criteria are met, automatically launching a browser to communicate with one or both of the AP and a remote server. The method further includes determining based upon one or more interactions whether one or more second criteria have been met and, provided that the one or more second criteria are met, conducting communications via the additional communication link.

Abstract: A mobile device system and related method are disclosed by which the device is able to communicate wirelessly not only via a Wide Area Network (WAN) communication link but also via an alternate communication link such as a Wi-Fi communication link. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting an availability of an additional (alternate) communication link made possible via an access point (AP), determining whether one or more first criteria relating to one or both of the AP and the device have been met and, provided that the one or more first criteria are met, automatically launching a browser to communicate with one or both of the AP and a remote server. The method further includes determining based upon one or more interactions whether one or more second criteria have been met and, provided that the one or more second criteria are met, conducting communications via the additional communication link.

Abstract: A mobile device system and related method are disclosed by which the device is able to communicate wirelessly not only via a Wide Area Network (WAN) link but also via an alternate link such as a Wi-Fi link. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a command from a remote server, via the WAN link, to establish a Wi-Fi link when possible. The method further includes, upon establishing the Wi-Fi link, sending a message for receipt by the server indicating that the Wi-Fi link has been established, and receiving software update information from the server, the information being communicated to the mobile device via the Wi-Fi link. Further, the method includes one or both of (1) sending an acknowledgement for receipt by the server indicating that the information has been received and (2) receiving an instruction from the server that communications via the Wi-Fi link be ended.

Abstract: A method and apparatus mechanically couple portable communication devices. The apparatus can include a first shaft having a first shaft longitudinal axis, a first shaft length along the first shaft longitudinal axis, a first shaft end, and a second shaft end. The apparatus can include a first portable communication device having a first housing coupled to the first shaft end where the first housing rotates about an axis perpendicular to the first shaft longitudinal axis, the first housing having a first housing width. The apparatus can include a second portable communication device that can have a second portable communication device communication signal interface configured to communicate with a first portable communication device communication signal interface and can have a second housing that rotates about an axis perpendicular to the first shaft longitudinal axis. The first shaft length can be at least as long as the first housing width.

Abstract: A mobile device system and related method are disclosed by which the device is able to communicate wirelessly not only via a Wide Area Network (WAN) communication link but also via an alternate communication link such as a Wi-Fi communication link. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting an availability of an additional (alternate) communication link made possible via an access point (AP), determining whether one or more first criteria relating to one or both of the AP and the device have been met and, provided that the one or more first criteria are met, automatically launching a browser to communicate with one or both of the AP and a remote server. The method further includes determining based upon one or more interactions whether one or more second criteria have been met and, provided that the one or more second criteria are met, conducting communications via the additional communication link.

Abstract: A mobile device system and related method are disclosed by which the device is able to communicate wirelessly not only via a Wide Area Network (WAN) link but also via an alternate link such as a Wi-Fi link. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a command from a remote server, via the WAN link, to establish a Wi-Fi link when possible. The method further includes, upon establishing the Wi-Fi link, sending a message for receipt by the server indicating that the Wi-Fi link has been established, and receiving software update information from the server, the information being communicated to the mobile device via the Wi-Fi link. Further, the method includes one or both of (1) sending an acknowledgement for receipt by the server indicating that the information has been received and (2) receiving an instruction from the server that communications via the Wi-Fi link be ended.

Abstract: A method (300) and portable electronic device (100) can be configured to delay the presentation of content (103) until a user (102) is available. The portable electronic device (100) can received, from a user interface (204), a user indication identifying content (103) to be used at a later time. One or more modules (208) or processors (201) within the device can then monitor one or more device parameters to determine an evaluative user availability state. When the evaluative user availability state is determined, the modules (208) and processors (201) can be configured to present the content (103) on the user interface (204). The content (103) can be presented audibly, visibly, or both.

Abstract: A method for marketing and system for marketing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for marketing a product includes identifying the product at a mobile device associated with a user, and generating a message indicative of an endorsement of the product by the user, the generating being performed at least in part by way of the mobile device. The method further includes causing, by way of the mobile device, a sending of the message to at least one receiving device associated with at least one personal social contact of the user. Due to the causing, a seller of the product is also notified that the sending of the message has occurred.

Abstract: A mobile device (102) employs a throttle filter to reduce a number of notifications or messages received from a server (104). The throttle filter allows content segments, such as keywords and anti-keywords, to be mapped to sources of content. The mobile device (102) then transmits throttle filter data to a data throttle manager (114) of the server (104). A processing module (115) in the server (104) can then sort and prioritize messages in accordance with the throttle filter data such that notifications of interest to a user are delivered to the mobile device (102). Other notifications of less interest to the user can be delivered to other devices (109).

Abstract: A wireless communication device (100) includes an obligation manager (101) that is configured to cause a processor (102) operable with a memory (103) to determine which member of a group is to be responsible for fulfillment of a group obligation. The obligation manager (101) determines which member will fulfill the obligation by comparing the current obligation to an obligation register (300) having fulfillment entries (301,302,303) indicating past obligations and members fulfilling those obligations.

Abstract: Methods of operating mobile or other electronic devices so as to achieve a transmission of data between those devices, and related systems and components, are described. In one exemplary embodiment, a method of operating a first mobile device so as to achieve a transmission of data from the mobile device to an additional electronic device includes tracking a positional variation of an object situated proximate a display screen of the mobile device by determining locations of the object over time using a sensing assembly of the mobile device. The method further includes determining a point or region on the display screen based upon the tracked positional variation of the object, identifying an image portion corresponding to the point or region, where the data is associated with the image portion, and transmitting the data from the mobile device, whereby the data is capable of being received by the additional electronic device.

Abstract: A communication system (100) includes two or more communication devices (110, 150) for communicating video including at least one virtual image. An avatar is associated with each communicated image. Change messages are communicated between a transmitting communication device (110) and at least one receiving communication device (150) to provide iterative enhancement of each avatar associated with a current digital image at the receiving communication device (150).

Abstract: An apparatus and method of integrating a personal communications system (102) includes a telematics device (106) coupled to a vehicle (107), where the telematics device (106) can exchange data with at least one vehicle system (139, 140) and where telematics device (106) includes a service providing entity (126). A remote device (104) having a service requesting entity (156) can access and exchange data with the telematics device (106) utilizing the service requesting entity (156) to interact with at least one vehicle system (139, 140) and utilize and exchange data with service providing entity (126). A selection is made between a first wireless network protocol (110) and a second wireless network protocol (112) in order to access telematics device (106).