Abstract: A system and method is described for providing an interactive rich media information service to users of mobile devices. The rich media information is presented to users in a plurality of interactive rich media channels. A subscriber-specific data stream is received at the mobile device containing channel data for each of the rich media channel that the user has subscribed to. The channel data is separated and stored corresponding to each such subscribed-to channel. An interactive multimedia runtime container (iMRC). is executed on the mobile device for each subscribed-to channel. The rich media channels are played on the iMRC and displayed on the display of the mobile device. Using the user interface elements of the mobile device, the user may navigate through the information on the channels, navigate between different channels, subscribe or un-subscribe to channels, and enter user preferences for further tailoring the information presented in the subscribed-to channels.

Abstract: A system and method is described for providing an interactive rich media information service to users of mobile devices. The rich media information is presented to users in a plurality of interactive rich media channels. A subscriber-specific data stream is received at the mobile device containing channel data for each of the rich media channel that the user has subscribed to. The channel data is separated and stored corresponding to each such subscribed-to channel. An interactive multimedia runtime container (iMRC). is executed on the mobile device for each subscribed-to channel. The rich media channels are played on the iMRC and displayed on the display of the mobile device. Using the user interface elements of the mobile device, the user may navigate through the information on the channels, navigate between different channels, subscribe or un-subscribe to channels, and enter user preferences for further tailoring the information presented in the subscribed-to channels.

Abstract: A number of directory servers non-exclusively engage a first plurality of servers to serve as master servers for hosting one or more application services, and a second plurality of servers to serve as slave servers for facilitating clients accesses to the one or more hosted application services. During operation, the directory servers receiving requests from clients to access a selected one or selected ones of the one or more hosted application services. In response, the directory servers select and assign selected ones of their non-exclusively engaged master servers to host the one or more accessed application services as well as select and assign selected ones of their engaged slave servers to facilitate the clients to access the one or more hosted application services. In one embodiment, the hosted application service is a hosted Internet Talk Radio System and its hosted multi-party talk radio shows.