Abstract: A panel has been provided to a wireless device that turns off all RF capability of the wireless device (including, but not limited to notifications, wireless web clipping, instant messaging, email sending/receiving, phone calls, etc.). The panel is brought up on a screen of the wireless device by pressing a programmed hard button for more than 1 second. Once the RF capability has been turned off, if the user attempts to access a program or other device that requires the RF capabilities, a notification is displayed that identifies the RF capabilities as being disabled and prompts the user whether to continue. If the user continues, the RF device is automatically enabled, otherwise the RF device remains disabled.

Abstract: A panel has been provided to a wireless device that turns off all RF capability of the wireless device (including, but not limited to notifications, wireless web clipping, instant messaging, email sending/receiving, phone calls, etc.). The panel is brought up on a screen of the wireless device by pressing a programmed hard button for more than 1 second. Once the RF capability has been turned off, if the user attempts to access a program or other device that requires the RF capabilities, a notification is displayed that identifies the RF capabilities as being disabled and prompts the user whether to continue. If the user continues, the RF device is automatically enabled, otherwise the RF device remains disabled.

Abstract: A panel has been provided to a wireless device that turns off all RF capability of the wireless device (including, but not limited to notifications, wireless web clipping, instant messaging, email sending/receiving, phone calls, etc.). The panel is brought up on a screen of the wireless device by pressing a programmed hard button for more than 1 second. Once the RF capability has been turned off, if the user attempts to access a program or other device that requires the RF capabilities, a notification is displayed that identifies the RF capabilities as being disabled and prompts the user whether to continue. If the user continues, the RF device is automatically enabled, otherwise the RF device remains disabled.

Abstract: A panel has been provided to a wireless device that turns off all RF capability of the wireless device (including, but not limited to notifications, wireless web clipping, instant messaging, email sending/receiving, phone calls, etc.). The panel is brought up on a screen of the wireless device by pressing a programmed hard button for more than 1 second. Once the RF capability has been turned off, if the user attempts to access a program or other device that requires the RF capabilities, a notification is displayed that identifies the RF capabilities as being disabled and prompts the user whether to continue. If the user continues, the RF device is automatically enabled, otherwise the RF device remains disabled.

Abstract: A preferences option maintains preferences for enabling and disabling notifications for device(s) of an electronic device. The notifications are for any of e-mails, phone calls, or other communications, or events (datebook alarms, for example). One or more devices may produce notifications, and individual preferences for each device may be maintained, or a single set of notifications preferences may direct the output of notifications for each device. The notifications preferences includes a schedule option that allows a time period where the notifications may be specifically enabled or disabled automatically. In one embodiment, the notifications preferences control notifications only, and in other embodiments, the notification preferences control notifications and whether or not the devices themselves are enabled or operating (for example, turning a cell phone device off).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing power consumption in a roaming portable communication device is described. Various embodiments include optimizing a channel acquisition scan, or pre-scan, and a background scan in order to delay the reaction to a suspected loss of coverage to prevent unnecessary roaming and the associated power consumption. A list of received signal strengths is generated for a number of possible channels. Only those channels with a received signal strength above a threshold level are retained. The received signal strength of the remaining possible channels is retested. The selected channel is determined from the remaining possible channels by comparing the received signal strength of the last channel used, the last channel attempted (if available), and a best channel having the highest received signal strength.