Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, methods, and compute program products for managing connections between a mobile device and a network server over a network connection in a bandwidth-efficient manner. In one embodiment, a mobile device includes a processor, and there are a plurality of services executed by the processor, each of the services receiving information updates over a network connection from a server. At least one update interval function executed by the processor assigns an update interval to each of the services, the update intervals governing when each of the respective services request updated information over the network connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that allow an application residing on a user device to intercept messages directed to that device and to extract control information and/or data from the intercepted messages for use by the application. In one embodiment, the intercepted message can cause the application to change its configuration or to present information to the user that came from a sending website. In another embodiment, a message from a device can trigger a website to send back a desired piece of data. The returned data may contain a flag, which directs the data to a formatting server. The formatting server then converts the data into a format that allows the data to be intercepted by the desired application on the user device. This then allows the desired data to be presented to the user in the context of an application resident on the user's device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods which schedule the updating of applications and/or application data to occur according to a priority dependant upon a variety of dynamically changing factors. In one embodiment, a service manager schedules the update from the network server to occur when the device on which the updating application resides is not otherwise busy with functions that would cause a burden on network usage or with the user's current experience with the device or with battery life. The new data is transferred from the network server to the wireless device, upgrading on an irregular schedule based on at least some factors individual to the particular applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for managing connections between a mobile device and a network server over a single connection in a bandwidth-efficient manner. In one embodiment, a single persistent wireless interface connection is maintained in a manner that allows for multiplexing several services over that connection in a dynamic service priority manner. Each type of data that is to be communicated across the air interface has a priority associated therewith. By managing the data transfer in accordance with its priority, the bandwidth of the total data transfer across the interface is managed so as to conserve battery life and minimize the bandwidth required at any point in time. From time to time, the priority of any given type of data can be adjusted dynamically depending upon several factors. Thus, it is possible to delay certain data transfers in favor of other data transfers, thereby conserving bandwidth and battery life.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for facilitating real-time instant messaging among a group of people. In one embodiment, the instant messages are clustered around a theme, such as a picture, a graphic or even bit mapped data. The common theme acts as a marker, and messages are accumulated around that marker for distribution to a group of people associated with that marker. In one embodiment, the messages are transient in nature and thus have no permanency in any database.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stocks channel and a news channel to a user on a mobile device. Stocks based content associated with a stocks channel and news content associated with the news channel is automatically delivered and stored on a mobile electronic device for access by a user. Using the device, users can quickly access the stock and news information without having to type in information, or specifically request the information to be downloaded to the device. The stock channel and the news channel provides a quicker and less cumbersome way of accessing stock and news information than having to access a web site, a television, a radio station, or a telephone service.

Abstract: A software application having a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided indicating labeled keys on a keypad of a user's mobile communications device. The GUI has sponsor regions for insertion of various sponsor provided content which may be cached on the communication device. The determination of which sponsors' content to be displayed on the device may be dependant on the content being viewed by the user. The sponsor's content may be inserted into the sponsor region. A selection of the sponsor's content may be made by a user to initiate a user transaction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are related to navigating through calendar based information on a device. Calendar based content associated with a calendar channel is stored on the device. The device includes modes for categorically displaying different types of information associated with the calendar channel. Example modes include: appointments view, event view, and month view. The appointment view mode is organized to display appointment information on the electronic device. The event view mode is arranged to display event information that is organized according to a day list format. The month view mode displays the days of the month. The calendar channel is synchronized and customized by the user from a single user interface.