Abstract: Embodiments described herein include methods and systems for remotely managing appliances, including enabling communication between a user of the appliance and third party systems. The third party systems can include any entity that has a relationship with the user of the appliance, such as a payment infrastructure handling incremental payments for the appliance, and managing access to the appliance accordingly. In some embodiments, the appliance being controlled is a mobile phone that also includes third party operating system software. Various methods for preventing alteration or replacement of the third party operating system are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include methods and systems for remotely managing appliances, including enabling communication between a user of the appliance and third party systems. The third party systems can include any entity that has a relationship with the user of the appliance, such as a payment infrastructure handling incremental payments for the appliance, and managing access to the appliance accordingly. In some embodiments, the appliance being controlled is a mobile phone that also includes third party operating system software. Various methods for preventing alteration or replacement of the third party operating system are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include methods and systems for remotely managing appliances, including enabling communication between a user of the appliance and third party systems. The third party systems can include any entity that has a relationship with the user of the appliance, such as a payment infrastructure handling incremental payments for the appliance, and managing access to the appliance accordingly. In some embodiments, the appliance being controlled is a mobile phone that also includes third party operating system software. Various methods for preventing alteration or replacement of the third party operating system are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include methods and systems for remotely managing appliances, including enabling communication between a user of the appliance and third party systems. The third party systems can include any entity that has a relationship with the user of the appliance, such as a payment infrastructure handling incremental payments for the appliance, and managing access to the appliance accordingly. In some embodiments, the appliance being controlled is a mobile phone that also includes third party operating system software. Various methods for preventing alteration or replacement of the third party operating system are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include methods and systems for remotely managing appliances, including enabling communication between a user of the appliance and third party systems. The third party systems can include any entity that has a relationship with the user of the appliance, such as a payment infrastructure handling incremental payments for the appliance, and managing access to the appliance accordingly. In some embodiments, the appliance being controlled is a mobile phone that also includes third party operating system software. Various methods for preventing alteration or replacement of the third party operating system are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include methods and systems for remotely managing appliances, including enabling communication between a user of the appliance and third party systems. The third party systems can include any entity that has a relationship with the user of the appliance, such as a payment infrastructure handling incremental payments for the appliance, and managing access to the appliance accordingly. In some embodiments, the appliance being controlled is a mobile phone that also includes third party operating system software. Various methods for preventing alteration or replacement of the third party operating system are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include methods and systems for remotely managing appliances, including enabling communication between a user of the appliance and third party systems. The third party systems can include any entity that has a relationship with the user of the appliance, such as a payment infrastructure handling incremental payments for the appliance, and managing access to the appliance accordingly. In some embodiments, the appliance being controlled is a mobile phone that also includes third party operating system software. Various methods for preventing alteration or replacement of the third party operating system are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include methods and systems for remotely managing appliances, including enabling communication between a user of the appliance and third party systems. The third party systems can be any entity that has a relationship with the user of the appliance, such as a payment infrastructure handling incremental payments for the appliance, or a content management entity (for example, helping parents to control access to digital content available to children). In various embodiments, third party systems communicate with a device that is primarily a communication device under control of the user. In turn, the communication device conveys control information to the appliance.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include methods and systems for remotely managing appliances associated with a user. A mobile phone is but one example of a controlled appliance. A third party operating system (OS) resident on the appliance and is in communication with a third party infrastructure. The appliance receives communications from the third party infrastructure related to management of the appliance, wherein management comprises controlling when the appliance is operable, and which functions the appliance can perform.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include methods and systems for remotely managing appliances associated with a user. A mobile phone is but one example of a controlled appliance. A third party operating system (OS) resident on the appliance and is in communication with a third party infrastructure. The appliance receives communications from the third party infrastructure related to management of the appliance, wherein management comprises controlling when the appliance is operable, and which functions the appliance can perform.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include methods and systems for remotely managing appliances, including enabling communication between a user of the appliance and third party systems. The third party systems can be any entity that has a relationship with the user of the appliance, such as a payment infrastructure handling incremental payments tier the appliance, or as content management entity (for example, helping parents to control access to digital content available to children). In various embodiments, third party systems communicate with a device that is primarily a communication device under control of the user. In turn, the communication device conveys control information to the appliance.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include methods and systems for remotely managing appliances, including enabling communication between a user of the appliance and third party systems. The third party systems can include any entity that has a relationship with the user of the appliance, such as a payment infrastructure handling incremental payments for the appliance, and managing access to the appliance accordingly. In some embodiments, the appliance being controlled is a mobile phone that also includes third party operating system software. Various methods for preventing alteration or replacement of the third party operating system are also described.

Abstract: A system and methods for enabling a disabled mobile device feature are disclosed. According to an embodiment, device information regarding a mobile device is collected. Based on the device information, a search is performed for a set of instructions to enable the device feature. A selected set of instructions is performed on the mobile device, and if execution fails to enable the feature, another set of instructions is selected and performed. The sets of instructions are continually updated and stored based on experience. In an embodiment, the method is performed with a mobile application on a mobile phone. The mobile application includes a user interface to allow the user to access and use disabled or hidden features of the mobile phone.

Abstract: A system and methods for enabling a disabled mobile device feature are disclosed. According to an embodiment, device information regarding a mobile device is collected. Based on the device information, a search is performed for a set of instructions to enable the device feature. A selected set of instructions is performed on the mobile device, and if execution fails to enable the feature, another set of instructions is selected and performed. The sets of instructions are continually updated and stored based on experience. In an embodiment, the method is performed with a mobile application on a mobile phone. The mobile application includes a user interface to allow the user to access and use disabled or hidden features of the mobile phone.