Abstract: A method includes establishing a shared network comprising a plurality of user devices, each of the plurality of user devices containing one or more stored song files, requesting, through the shared network, a first song file from a first device among the plurality of user devices, receiving, through the shared network, the first song file from the first device, initiating playback of the first song file on a music rendering device, requesting, through the shared network, a second song file from a second device among the plurality of devices, receiving, through the shared network, the second song file from the second device, and initiating playback of the second song file on the music rendering device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving availability information of a first user. The method also includes transmitting the availability information of the first user to a device through a communication network. In addition, the method includes receiving, from the device, contact information of a second user having availability overlap with the first user such that the first and second users have identified each other as desired communication contacts. The method further includes initiating, based at least on a portion of the received contact information, establishment of a connection between a device of the first user and a device of the second user.