Abstract: The operation of a mobile electronic device is controlled at least partially in accordance with operating characteristics adopted while the phone is at a first location. The operation of a mobile electronic device is controlled at least partially in accordance with a theme that how an electronic device responds to user input.

Abstract: The operation of a mobile electronic device is controlled at least partially in accordance with operating characteristics adopted while the phone is at a first location. The operation of a mobile electronic device is controlled at least partially in accordance with a theme that how an electronic device responds to user input.

Abstract: The operation of a mobile electronic device is controlled at least partially in accordance with operating characteristics adopted while the phone is at a first location. The operation of a mobile electronic device is controlled at least partially in accordance with a theme that how an electronic device responds to user input.

Abstract: The operation of a mobile electronic device is controlled at least partially in accordance with operating characteristics adopted while the phone is at a first location. The operation of a mobile electronic device is controlled at least partially in accordance with a theme that defines how an electronic device responds to user input.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a graphical user interface for an audio channel include receiving data that indicates multiple audio contents for audio presentation at a first node. A graphical user interface is formed, which displays a time sequence of the plurality of audio contents for presentation, and which associates with each audio content one or more selectable operations on the audio content. Presentation of the graphical user interface is caused at a second node. In response to causing presentation of the graphical user interface, data is received that indicates an associated operation on audio content based on input from the second node.

Abstract: A method and corresponding equipment to enable a phone owner, who desires to lend a phone to a borrower, to define a temporary limit for the usage of the borrower, especially in a prepaid charging system. The charging system uses this temporary limit to restrict service usage such that when an amount corresponding to the temporary limit has been spent service is denied until such time as the limit has expired or been withdrawn, even if, for example, there is still a positive balance in the phone owner's own prepaid account.

Abstract: A device includes a non-volatile memory configured to store software to facilitate normal functions of the device, a first processing section including a data processor configured to execute the software when the device is in a normal mode, and load the software into a working memory in response to a trigger, and a second processing section coupled to a clock for maintaining a time, the second processing section configured to handle background processes when the device is in a low-power mode and initiate the trigger in response to the time of the clock preceding a user-set time by a preset advance interval, the pre-set advance interval taking into account a length of time to load the software into the working memory, wherein the working memory includes a volatile memory configured to store the software, and wherein in the low-power mode, the volatile memory receives insufficient power to store the software.

Abstract: A battery-powered device comprising: a memory storing software essential to the provision of normal functions of the device; a first processing section (16) comprising a data processor capable of executing the software, the device being capable of operating the first processing section in a normal mode in which it can execute the software and a low power mode; a second processing section (5) having a clock (6) for maintaining a time, and being capable of triggering behavior of the device in response to the time of the clock preceding a user-set time by a pre-set advance interval; the device being configured to, in response to triggering by the second processing section when the first processing section is in the low power mode, cause the first processing section to enter the normal mode and to load the software.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising: a display; a housing enclosing the display and defining an exterior surface region adjacent to the display, the exterior surface region having a plurality of surface zones indicated thereon, the surface zones being capable of being written on by a user to save a written marking thereon; a memory; and user input apparatus; the device having: a first mode in which the device performs a function in respect of a subject entity and in which in response to operation of the user input apparatus to indicate one of the zones the device stores the entity in the memory in association with that zone; and a second mode in which in response to selection of a zone by means of the user input apparatus the device performs a function in respect of an entity stored in association with the selected zone.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising: a display; a housing enclosing the display and defining an exterior surface region adjacent to the display, the exterior surface region having a plurality of surface zones indicated thereon, the surface zones being capable of being written on by a user to save a written marking thereon; a memory; and user input apparatus; the device having: a first mode in which the device performs a function in respect of a subject entity and in which in response to operation of the user input apparatus to indicate one of the zones the device stores the entity in the memory in association with that zone; and a second mode in which in response to selection of a zone by means of the user input apparatus the device performs a function in respect of an entity stored in association with the selected zone.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising: a display; a housing enclosing the display and defining an exterior surface region adjacent to the display, the exterior surface region having a plurality of surface zones indicated thereon, the surface zones being capable of being written on by a user to save a written marking thereon; a memory; and user input apparatus; the device having: a first mode in which the device performs a function in respect of a subject entity and in which in response to operation of the user input apparatus to indicate one of the zones the device stores the entity in the memory in association with that zone; and a second mode in which in response to selection of a zone by means of the user input apparatus the device performs a function in respect of an entity stored in association with the selected zone.

Abstract: Techniques for providing network services at an audio interface unit include determining, based on spoken sounds of a user of an apparatus received at a microphone of the apparatus, whether to present audio data received from a different apparatus. If it is determined to present the received audio data, then presentation of the received audio data at a speaker of the apparatus is initiated. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a data communications bus; and logic encoded in one or more tangible media configured to performs the above steps. In some embodiments, the apparatus does not include a visual display and does not include a keypad of multiple buttons.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising: a display; a housing enclosing the display and defining an exterior surface region adjacent to the display, the exterior surface region having a plurality of surface zones indicated thereon, the surface zones being capable of being written on by a user to save a written marking thereon; a memory; and user input apparatus; the device having: a first mode in which the device performs a function in respect of a subject entity and in which in response to operation of the user input apparatus to indicate one of the zones the device stores the entity in the memory in association with that zone; and a second mode in which in response to selection of a zone by means of the user input apparatus the device performs a function in respect of an entity stored in association with the selected zone.

Abstract: A method for communicating data between devices, comprising the steps of: receiving data at a first user device; the first user device automatically selecting, in dependence on the nature of an activity being made available to a user by the first user device, a way of integrating the data with a functionality of the first user device; and integrating the transmitted data with the functionality in the selected way.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising: a display; a housing enclosing the display and defining an exterior surface region adjacent to the display, the exterior surface region having a plurality of surface zones indicated thereon, the surface zones being capable of being written on by a user to save a written marking thereon; a memory; and user input apparatus; the device having: a first mode in which the device performs a function in respect of a subject entity and in which in response to operation of the user input apparatus to indicate one of the zones the device stores the entity in the memory in association with that zone; and a second mode in which in response to selection of a zone by means of the user input apparatus the device performs a function in respect of an entity stored in association with the selected zone.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a graphical user interface for an audio channel include receiving data that indicates multiple audio contents for audio presentation at a first node. A graphical user interface is formed, which displays a time sequence of the plurality of audio contents for presentation, and which associates with each audio content one or more selectable operations on the audio content. Presentation of the graphical user interface is caused at a second node. In response to causing presentation of the graphical user interface, data is received that indicates an associated operation on audio content based on input from the second node.

Abstract: Techniques for providing network services at an audio interface unit includes receiving first data and second data. The first data indicates a first set of one or more contents for presentation to a user. The second data indicates a second set of zero or more contents for presentation to the user. An audio stream is generated based on the first data and the second data. Presentation is initiated of the audio stream at a speaker in an audio device of the user.

Abstract: Techniques for providing network services at an audio interface unit include determining, based on spoken sounds of a user of an apparatus received at a microphone of the apparatus, whether to present audio data received from a different apparatus. If it is determined to present the received audio data, then presentation of the received audio data at a speaker of the apparatus is initiated. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a data communications bus; and logic encoded in one or more tangible media configured to performs the above steps. In some embodiments, the apparatus does not include a visual display and does not include a keypad of multiple buttons.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising: a display; a housing enclosing the display and defining an exterior surface region adjacent to the display, the exterior surface region having a plurality of surface zones indicated thereon, the surface zones being capable of being written on by a user to save a written marking thereon; a memory; and user input apparatus; the device having: a first mode in which the device performs a function in respect of a subject entity and in which in response to operation of the user input apparatus to indicate one of the zones the device stores the entity in the memory in association with that zone; and a second mode in which in response to selection of a zone by means of the user input apparatus the device performs a function in respect of an entity stored in association with the selected zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods applicable, for example, in allowing a user to come to possess a physical entity that allows for the receipt, use, access, and/or the like of a virtual entity (e.g., a media item, software, a service, data, and/or the like). A number of form factors for physical entities might be available. Available form factors might include, for example, images, jewelry, toys, clothing, iron-ons, straps, cards, nail treatments, temporary tattoos, stickers, figurines, and/or the like. Various attributes of a physical entity might, for example, be definable and/or selectable by a user.