Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a text-based message is received on a device. The text-based message includes an access control indicator in a body of the text-based message. The text-based message is parsed to locate the access control indicator, and it is determined whether the access control indicator is associated with a particular entry in an access control table. The access control table includes associations between one or more access control indicators and one or more applications on the device. It is determined that the text-based message is associated with a particular one of the applications on the device based on determining that the access control indicator is associated with the particular entry, and access to the text-based message by the particular application on the device is allowed based on determining, from the access control indicator, that the text-based message is associated with the particular application.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) is presented on a display of a personal computing device, and it is determined that the GUI includes an entry field for receipt of sensitive information from a user of the personal computing device. An interaction with the entry field is detected, and at least a portion of the GUI near the entry field is automatically modified to provide a view of physical surroundings near the personal computing device. The portion of the GUI remains modified while the user inputs the sensitive information to the entry field, and the portion of the GUI is modified in response to detecting the interaction and based on determining that the GUI includes a request for entry of sensitive information.

Abstract: An approach is provided for controlling a user device native function via a web-based application at a user device (e.g., a mobile terminal). The mobile terminal executes a web-based application and a shell application, wherein the shell application provides communication between the web-based application and a native function of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal registers the web-based application with the shell application for the communication. The mobile terminal invokes the native function of the mobile terminal via the communication based upon a communication protocol that specifies a command of a native function associated with a set top box.

Abstract: An approach for enabling wireless communication devices to mount and/or unmount one or more storage devices to facilitate data sharing is described. A processor of a user device generates a request message according to a storage access protocol that is operating system agnostic. The processor then initiates transmission of the request message over a wireless link of an ad-hoc network to a system that includes one or more storage devices, wherein the request message requests storage device information relating to the one or more storage devices.

Abstract: An approach is provided for controlling a set top box on an ad hoc basis. A wireless device detects a mobile terminal that is configured to control one or more set top boxes via a wireless local area network. The wireless device controls, over an adhoc connection, the one or more set top boxes directly or via the mobile terminal based on the detection of the mobile terminal.

Abstract: An approach for enabling wireless communication devices to mount and/or unmount one or more storage devices to facilitate data sharing is described. A processor of a user device generates a request message according to a storage access protocol that is operating system agnostic. The processor then initiates transmission of the request message over a wireless link of an ad-hoc network to a system that includes one or more storage devices, wherein the request message requests storage device information relating to the one or more storage devices.

Abstract: An approach is provided for controlling a set top box on an ad hoc basis. A wireless device detects a mobile terminal that is configured to control one or more set top boxes via a wireless local area network. The wireless device controls, over an adhoc connection, the one or more set top boxes directly or via the mobile terminal based on the detection of the mobile terminal.

Abstract: An approach is provided for controlling a user device native function via a web-based application at a user device (e.g., a mobile terminal). The mobile terminal executes a web-based application and a shell application, wherein the shell application provides communication between the web-based application and a native function of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal registers the web-based application with the shell application for the communication. The mobile terminal invokes the native function of the mobile terminal via the communication based upon a communication protocol that specifies a command of a native function associated with a set top box.