Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying data synchronization of a portable computing device responsive to a data plan associated with an account associated with the portable computing device are disclosed. If the data plan specifies a data quota identifying a maximum amount of data for communication by the portable computing device, a data synchronization setting determines whether to minimize the frequency of synchronization between the portable computing device and a server or to dynamically modify the frequency of synchronization based on data usage. If data synchronization is dynamically modified, the data synchronization frequency is modified based on an estimated data usage of the portable computing device over a time interval. The data synchronization frequency is modified based on the difference between estimated data usage and the data quota and is reduced if the estimated data usage equals or exceeds the data quota.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying data synchronization of a portable computing device responsive to movement of the portable computing device are disclosed. Data exchange quality associated with multiple locations is captured and stored. A predicted location of a portable computing device is determined from stored data describing previous locations of the portable computing device or navigation data. Data exchange quality associated with the predicted location is retrieved and analyzed to modify data exchange between the portable computing device and a server. For example, if the data exchange quality of the predicted location is low, a fault-tolerant data exchange method is selected or if data exchange is not possible at the predicted location, data exchanges occur more frequently prior to the portable computing device reaching the predicted location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a client to continue to receive updates from a server when a channel has been disconnected before the expiration of a heartbeat timer is disclosed. The method includes sending a heartbeat message from the client to the server wherein the heartbeat message is sent at the expiration of a timer having a first time interval that is less than the first timeout duration period of the server. The method includes detecting that the channel is disconnected before the expiration of the first time interval and then determining a second timeout duration period from detecting the channel is disconnected. After determining the second time out duration, the method includes resetting the first time interval to a second time interval for the sending of the heartbeat message wherein the second time interval being less than the second timeout duration period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a client to continue to receive updates from a server when a channel has been disconnected before the expiration of a heartbeat timer is disclosed. The method includes sending a heartbeat message from the client to the server wherein the heartbeat message is sent at the expiration of a timer having a first time interval that is less than the first timeout duration period of the server. The method includes detecting that the channel is disconnected before the expiration of the first time interval and then determining a second timeout duration period from detecting the channel is disconnected. After determining the second time out duration, the method includes resetting the first time interval to a second time interval for the sending of the heartbeat message wherein the second time interval being less than the second timeout duration period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a client to continue to receive updates from a server when a channel has been disconnected before the expiration of a heartbeat timer is disclosed. The method includes sending a heartbeat message from the client to the server wherein the heartbeat message is sent at the expiration of a timer having a first time interval that is less than the first timeout duration period of the server. The method includes detecting that the channel is disconnected before the expiration of the first time interval and then determining a second timeout duration period from detecting the channel is disconnected. After determining the second time out duration, the method includes resetting the first time interval to a second time interval for the sending of the heartbeat message wherein the second time interval being less than the second timeout duration period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying data synchronization of a portable computing device responsive to a data plan associated with an account associated with the portable computing device are disclosed. If the data plan specifies a data quota identifying a maximum amount of data for communication by the portable computing device, a data synchronization setting determines whether to minimize the frequency of synchronization between the portable computing device and a server or to dynamically modify the frequency of synchronization based on data usage. If data synchronization is dynamically modified, the data synchronization frequency is modified based on an estimated data usage of the portable computing device over a time interval. The data synchronization frequency is modified based on the difference between estimated data usage and the data quota and is reduced if the estimated data usage equals or exceeds the data quota.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying data synchronization of a portable computing device responsive to movement of the portable computing device are disclosed. Data exchange quality associated with multiple locations is captured and stored. A predicted location of a portable computing device is determined from stored data describing previous locations of the portable computing device or navigation data. Data exchange quality associated with the predicted location is retrieved and analyzed to modify data exchange between the portable computing device and a server. For example, if the data exchange quality of the predicted location is low, a fault-tolerant data exchange method is selected or if data exchange is not possible at the predicted location, data exchanges occur more frequently prior to the portable computing device reaching the predicted location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an indication of a synchronization delay for a portable computing device is disclosed. The synchronization latency describes the time separating data exchanges between the portable computing device and a server. The portable computing device determines the synchronization latency and generates a synchronization latency indicator providing a visional representation of the synchronization latency. The synchronization latency indicator is then displayed. For example, a count down timer depicting the interval from a current time to a data exchange with the server is displayed or an image is modified as the time from the current time to a data exchange with the server decreases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a client to continue to receive updates from a server when a channel has been disconnected before the expiration of a heartbeat timer is disclosed. The method includes sending a heartbeat message from the client to the server wherein the heartbeat message is sent at the expiration of a timer having a first time interval that is less than the first timeout duration period of the server. The method includes detecting that the channel is disconnected before the expiration of the first time interval and then determining a second timeout duration period from detecting the channel is disconnected. After determining the second time out duration, the method includes resetting the first time interval to a second time interval for the sending of the heartbeat message wherein the second time interval being less than the second timeout duration period.