Abstract: Methods for providing parental control over access to media content includes controlling presentation of the media content responsive to receiving a parental control request from a mobile terminal over a wide-area network connection. Related devices and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: A roaming user profile is stored in a remote profile database accessible via a mobile communication network. The roaming user profile stores configuration information and settings for a mobile terminal. The configuration settings may relate to the user interface, customizable features of applications, and programmable functions of the mobile terminal. The roaming user profile can be accessed remotely by a mobile terminal in response to a login event to retrieve the configuration settings for a user and to configure the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A wireless communication device is configured to use location information available within the device to tailor the retrieval of electronic feed content. For example, the device may automatically use its current location to retrieve localized news feeds, localized podcasts, localized web pages, etc. In one embodiment, the device retrieves electronic feed content and then filters that content based on the location information to identify locally relevant content that may be displayed or otherwise made available to a user of the device. In another embodiment, the device provides all or part of its location information to a remote content server, and the content server sends localized content based on that information. In at least one embodiment, the device establishes and terminates subscriptions to localized feeds as needed responsive to changes in the device's current location. Further, the device may store or otherwise track locations and retrieve localized content for prior locations.

Abstract: Methods of playing audio/video content at a portable electronic. device include playing a first audio/video program, interrupting the playing of the first audio/video program based on a stored user preference, and playing a second audio/video program. Playing of the first audio/video program may be resumed after the completion of the second audio/video program. A computer program product is configured to play a first audio/video program, interrupt the playing of the first audio/video program based on a stored user preference, and play a second audio/video program.

Abstract: A wireless communications device includes application logic and scheduling logic. The scheduling logic allows a user to create and maintain a schedule of events the user is interested in, and notifies the user of a scheduled event based on event data stored in memory of the wireless communications device. The application logic interfaces with the scheduling logic to determine when the scheduled event will occur, and generates a request for directions to a location of the scheduled event. The request may include event data associated with the scheduled event. A server receives the request and determines the directions based on the event data. The server sends the directions to the wireless communications device, which displays the directions to the user.

Abstract: A mobile terminal is configured to download a virtual remote control for a device to be controlled, wherein the virtual remote control includes a graphical interface corresponding to that device. The terminal is further configured to display the virtual remote control, and to transmit commands to the device responsive to receiving user inputs directed to the displayed virtual remote control. The terminal's display screen may be a touch screen display, and the user inputs may be touches directed to graphical facsimiles of control buttons. Regardless, the virtual remote control generally comprises a graphic that mimics or otherwise provides a facsimile of all or a portion of the control layout of a dedicated remote control corresponding to the device to be controlled.

Abstract: A user may select and purchase digital content for a mobile terminal over a wireless communication system. The user may select among two or more delivery options, each having a different price. Immediate delivery may be selected at a first price; and delayed delivery may be selected at a second price less than the first price. The immediate delivery may be via a high-speed wireless channel at the first price, or a low-speed wireless channel at a third price less than the first price. The delayed delivery may be during off-peak usage time of the wireless communication system at the second price, or via a wired communication system at a fourth price less than the second price. The mobile terminal may dock to a terminal connected to a wired communication system to download the purchased digital content, transmitting a unique identifier to the content provider for identification.

Abstract: A method of updating user availability information in a voice-call application executing on a mobile terminal includes automatically retrieving user activity information from an activity application and updating the user availability information for the voice-call application based on the retrieved user activity information. The voice-call application may be a push-to-talk (PTT) application, and updating the user availability information may include correlating the retrieved activity information to PTT availability information and updating the user availability information with the PTT availability information. Related systems and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: A wireless communication terminal includes a broadcast signal frequency converter that is communicatively coupled to the terminal's communication signal receiver and is configured to use its communication receiver to process received broadcast signals. In an exemplary embodiment, the converter includes a frequency shifting circuit, e.g., a block frequency converter, that shifts broadcast signal bands into communication signal bands, such that received broadcast signals are shifted into a frequency range compatible with the communication receiver's signal path. Moreover, the significant digital domain signal processing capability of the communication receiver can be used to receive broadcast television and/or radio signals, provide signal enhancements, and extract other types of information such as RDBS, IBOC, etc.