Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a computing device. The behavior of a user of a computing device is observed when the computing device is connected to each of a plurality of networks. A profile is automatically maintained for each of the networks. Each profile contains one or more predefined actions to be performed when the computing device is connected to the corresponding network. The predefined actions are based on the observed behavior. The predefined actions that are recorded in the automatically generated profile and based on the observed behavior can be automatically triggered when the computing device is connected to the network associated with the profile.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for managing a plurality of home pages for a user. One or more web pages are presented to a user by identifying a plurality of home pages associated with the user; and selecting one or more of the home pages to present to the user based on one or more predefined rules. The home pages associated with the user can be selected by the user. A number of different predefined rules can be applied for selecting the home pages to be presented to the user.

Abstract: A system for initiating a contact, comprising a broker 236 operable (a) to receive a first type of information selected by a user, the first type of information being accessed through a first application; (b) locate a second type of information associated with the first type of information, the second type of information being stored by a second application different from the first application; and (c) initiate a communication to a communication device identified by the second type of information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for managing a plurality of home pages for a user. One or more web pages are presented to a user by identifying a plurality of home pages associated with the user; and selecting one or more of the home pages to present to the user based on one or more predefined rules. The home pages associated with the user can be selected by the user. A number of different predefined rules can be applied for selecting the home pages to be presented to the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for automatically launching an application from a browser. According to one aspect of the invention, content in a browser having one or more tabbed viewing panes is processed by determining if a user indicates that contents of a selected viewing pane should be duplicated in a second application; storing an object associated with the selected viewing pane in a memory for inter-process communication of data; and sending an inter-process communication to facilitate the second application to duplicate the contents of the selected viewing pane, wherein the second application operates independently of the browser.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a computing device. The behavior of a user of a computing device is observed when the computing device is connected to each of a plurality of networks. A profile is automatically maintained for each of the networks. Each profile contains one or more predefined actions to be performed when the computing device is connected to the corresponding network. The predefined actions are based on the observed behavior. The predefined actions that are recorded in the automatically generated profile and based on the observed behavior can be automatically triggered when the computing device is connected to the network associated with the profile.