Abstract: Providing navigation instructions in an automotive environment includes generating, at the portable device, a test audio signal. The test audio signal is provided to the head unit of the vehicle via a short-range communication link. The portable device then detects whether the test audio signal has been converted to sound by one or more speakers in the head unit of the vehicle. In response to detecting the audio signal at the portable device, a vocalized navigation instruction is directed to the head unit for announcement via the one or more speakers of the head unit. Otherwise, in response to not detecting the test audio signal at the portable device, the vocalized navigation instruction is provided via a speaker of the portable device.

Abstract: Providing navigation instructions in an automotive environment includes generating, at the portable device, a test audio signal. The test audio signal is provided to the head unit of the vehicle via a short-range communication link. The portable device then detects whether the test audio signal has been converted to sound by one or more speakers in the head unit of the vehicle. In response to detecting the audio signal at the portable device, a vocalized navigation instruction is directed to the head unit for announcement via the one or more speakers of the head unit. Otherwise, in response to not detecting the test audio signal at the portable device, the vocalized navigation instruction is provided via a speaker of the portable device.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed including a Username Software Component (USC) configured to provide a connection between a communication software application, social networking sites, and a database to allow search, retrieval, and verification of various usernames associated with a single user and uniquely identifying the single user. The database stores the various usernames for future use. When a local user receives a message from a remote user, various usernames potentially associated with the remote user are retrieved by USC. The local user validates some of the usernames to indicate that they represent the same remote user. Usernames may also be validated by weighted functions applied to user votes. Such validated usernames may be stored in the database for future use by all users to uniquely identify the same remote user. The USC may be implemented as a plug-in component or as a built-in software application functionality.