Abstract: A method for selecting a communication option for communications from a mobile device which operates in a wireless communication network, the mobile device having access to stored address book information that includes contact names, the method including: storing for at least some of the contact names an indication of a last communication option used for communicating therewith; displaying a list of user selectable contact names on a display of the mobile device; after receiving user input selecting of one of the contact names from the list, causing a list of user selectable communication options for communicating with the selected contact name to be generated on the display; and automatically positioning a selection symbol on the display to highlight the selectable communication option that corresponds to a last communication option that was used for communicating with the selected contact name.

Abstract: An electronic device and method for providing customizing notifications is disclosed. Event generation and handling components are associated with different device event types and for generating a notification event upon occurrence of an event handled by the respective event generation and handling component is provided. Profile management component manages user profiles defining user preferences of notifications associated with different incoming device event types and managing profile exceptions defining one or more notification exceptions to the user profiles.

Abstract: A method and devices for providing secure data backup from a mobile communication device to an external computing device is described. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of backing up data from a mobile communication device to an external computing device, the mobile communication device being in communication with the external computing device, the method includes: receiving a request to backup one or more data items stored on the mobile communication device; encrypting a data item using an encryption key stored in a protected memory of the mobile communication device; and transferring the encrypted data item to the external computing device for storage by the external computing device. A method of restoring backup data to a mobile communication device from an external computing device is also provided, as are mobile communication devices and computing devices configured for implementing the backup and restore operations.

Abstract: A method for use in a mobile station involves receiving a plurality of Mobile Country Code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC) pairs corresponding to a plurality of available PLMNs available to the mobile stationk; selecting a PLMN from the plurality of available PLMN available to the mobile station; and if there is no match between the received MCC and MNC pair of a selected PLMN and a plurality of home network MCC and MNC pairs corresponding to a plurality of home networks in a Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) list of the mobile station, the HPLMN list identifying a plurality of home networks of the mobile station, displaying a roaming indicator.

Abstract: A method and communications device is provided for determining a list of possible additional recipients to add to an electronic message that is composed by a user of the communications device for transmission to another communications device. Once the user indicates that there is an additional recipient for the distribution list of the electronic message, the device employs the method to create the list of possible additional recipients. The method may be implemented on a computer program product.

Abstract: A method and devices for providing secure data backup from a mobile communication device to an external computing device is described. In accordance with one example embodiment, there is provided a method of backing up data from a mobile communication device to an external computing device, the mobile communication device being connected to the external computing device for exchanging data with each other, the method comprising: receiving a request to backup one or more data items in a plurality of data items stored on the mobile communication device; encrypting a data item using an encryption key stored in memory of the mobile communication device; transferring the encrypted data item to the external computing device; and storing a backup file comprising the encrypted data item in the memory of the external computing device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a user interface that allows users to change the active line on which an outgoing call may be placed. In example embodiments, a direction to display a line selection menu on the call screen is received from the user, where the line selection menu is comprised of data identifying one or more of the multiple communication lines accessible at the mobile device. In response to the direction received from the user, the line selection menu is displayed on the call screen, and an input identifying a user-selected communication line is received. A display field in which data identifying the active line is displayed is updated accordingly.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a technique for use in selecting a wireless communication network for a mobile station is described. The mobile station receives a plurality of Mobile Country Code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC) pairs corresponding to a plurality of available wireless networks. The mobile station selects and registers with an available wireless network from the plurality of available wireless networks that corresponds to a home public land mobile network (HPLMN) of a HPLMN list which identifies a plurality of HPLMNs. If none of the available wireless networks correspond to an HPLMN of the HPLMN list, the mobile station selects and registers with an available network that corresponds to a preferred PLMN of a preferred PLMN list which identifies a plurality of preferred PLMNs.

Abstract: A host service queues data messages received at a message server for delivery to a wireless mobile device. The host service detects a trigger in response to an expiration of a predetermined time interval. In response to detecting the trigger when the data messages are queued, the host service attempts to authenticate a previously-received login credential of the device with respect to a predetermined authentication period. The session is active when the period has not expired, and inactive when the period has expired. When the session is inactive, the host service receives via a wireless network a new login credential from the device, authenticates the new login credential, and activates the session for data message delivery based on the authenticating of the new login credential. When the session is active, the host service causes the data messages to be sent via the wireless network to the device.

Abstract: A mobile communication device is operable to receive and store messages in a defined message inbox. A user input device is provided to permit a user of the device to make a message inbox status query. In answer to the query, the device provides a non-visual response communicating one or more characteristics of the message inbox. Such characteristics are definable and the method of providing a non-visual response communication is configurable. The non-visual response potentially includes an auditory communication that is provided in response to a query made using an easy to access button located on the device.

Abstract: A mobile device receives via a wireless network an enable message which indicates that a data message has been received and is ready for retrieval. The mobile device then provides an indication which indicates that the data message has been received, and includes a subset of the data message. After providing the indication, the mobile device detects a user-initiated entry into a messaging application. In response to detecting the user-initiated entry, the mobile device examines a setting in a data store which is provided in response to the enable message. If the setting is provided in the data store, the mobile device requests the data message by sending via the wireless network a fetch message and subsequently receives the data message. If the setting is not provided in the data store, the mobile device refrains from sending the fetch message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a contact-list entry of an IM contact-list interface to designate an IM game in progress to facilitate switching between an IM conversation and an IM game.

Abstract: An electronic device and method for providing customizing notifications is disclosed. Event generation and handling components are associated with different device event types and for generating a notification event upon occurrence of an event handled by the respective event generation and handling component is provided. Profile management component manages user profiles defining user preferences of notifications associated with different incoming device event types and managing profile exceptions defining one or more notification exceptions to the user profiles.

Abstract: A user interface and method for composing a message to be sent over a wireless network environment using a handheld device is disclosed. According to the method, upon receipt of a user request to compose a message, a screen is displayed with a recipient field for a recipient address, an associated label to indicate that the recipient field is for a recipient address, and a message body field for holding message content. The method further includes, upon each keystroke entry of text to the recipient field, looking up entries from an address book which match the text, and displaying a selection menu representing addresses from at least a portion of the entries as well as cached entries previously looked up from a global address book.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a contact-list entry of an IM contact-list interface to designate an IM game in progress to facilitate switching between an IM conversation and an IM game.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for integrating an image upload object with a message list. In an embodiment, the method comprises: creating an image upload object for each image to be uploaded; and displaying the image upload object in a message list such that the image upload object may be selected and opened as a message. In another embodiment, the method may further comprise associating with the image upload object at least one of a text description, a thumbnail of the image, a date, and a file link to the uploaded image. In another embodiment, an image upload object in the message list may be configured such that the image upload object may be forwarded to another user as a message, and the associated uploaded image may be accessed by the other user via the file link.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for facilitating short-range wireless communications between a mobile wireless device and an auxiliary device. The wireless device includes a short-range transceiver for communicating with an auxiliary device; a signal module for providing a mode control signal; and, a control module for controllably shifting a short-range transceiver between a power saver mode and a search mode based on the mode control signal received from the signal module. When in the search mode, the short-range transceiver is operable to search for the auxiliary device to communicate therewith. When in a power saver mode, the short-range transceiver is not operable to search for the auxiliary device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing manual selection of a communication network for a mobile station are described. A plurality of communication networks are identified by scanning a coverage area within which the mobile station is operating. A plurality of network identifiers corresponding to the plurality of communication networks are then retrieved from memory of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in accordance with an Enhanced Operator Name String (EONS) protocol. Preferably, each network identifier is retrieved based on a Mobile Country Code (MCC), a Mobile Network Code (MNC), and a Location Area Code (LAC). The plurality of network identifiers are visually displayed for user selection, and at least two of the network identifiers may be substantially the same. The user selected communication network is registered with and the network identifier associated with this network is visually displayed.

Abstract: Techniques for use in a mobile station for use in manually selecting a communication network are described. The mobile station identifies a plurality of communication networks available for communications. The mobile station retrieves from a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) a plurality of network names identified by a plurality of address pointers corresponding to the plurality of available communication networks. The plurality of address pointers are stored in a first file of the SIM, and the plurality of network names are stored in a second file of the SIM. The mobile station then displays the plurality of network names.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a technique for use in selecting a wireless communication network for a mobile station is described. The mobile station receives a plurality of Mobile Country Code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC) pairs corresponding to a plurality of available wireless networks. The mobile station selects and registers with an available wireless network from the plurality of available wireless networks that corresponds to a home public land mobile network (HPLMN) of a HPLMN list which identifies a plurality of HPLMNs. If none of the available wireless networks correspond to an HPLMN of the HPLMN list, the mobile station selects and registers with an available network that corresponds to a preferred PLMN of a preferred PLMN list which identifies a plurality of preferred PLMNs.