Abstract: A play list of songs or other media items is automatically generated (380) based on external factors (314, 324, 334) such as weather conditions, stock market conditions, sales of songs, or calendar data, e.g., day of week, holidays or user designated dates such as birthdays, anniversaries and the like. External data (310, 320, 330) relating to the external factors can be received (115) from a radio broadcast, Internet link, or link to a vehicle computer, for instance. The external data is mapped (360) to media items to obtain matching media items (370) for the play list. The mapping may also account for user preferences (145). The user may select (305) the external factor, which represents the mood and/or current preferences of the user in a much better way than the conventional criteria such as genre, artist or album alone.

Abstract: A play list of songs or other media items is automatically generated (380) based on external factors (314, 324, 334) such as weather conditions, stock market conditions, sales of songs, or calendar data, e.g., day of week, holidays or user designated dates such as birthdays, anniversaries and the like. External data (310, 320, 330) relating to the external factors can be received (115) from a radio broadcast, Internet link, or link to a vehicle computer, for instance. The external data is mapped (360) to media items to obtain matching media items (370) for the play list. The mapping may also account for user preferences (145). The user may select (305) the external factor, which represents the mood and/or current preferences of the user in a much better way than the conventional criteria such as genre, artist or album alone.

Abstract: Multiple television monitors (160, 170, 360, 370) share access via a network (150) to a central tuning device (100) that is able to tune multiple channels concurrently. The monitors communicate channel requests to the central device via the network. The central device processes the requests by controlling a number of individual tuners (330, 335, 340) to tune the requested channels, and couples the monitors to a data stream that is output from the appropriate individual tuner. Predictive tuning may be performed with any unused tuners to reduce delays. The monitors decode (425) the received data streams. Optionally, decoders (130, 135, 140) are provided for each tuner at the central device so that a decoded data stream is provided to the monitors.

Abstract: A system and method enables a mobile service provider to store and provide a selection of currency exchange rates directly for use in a user's mobile phone. This means that daily exchange rate calculations are accurate and daily updates ensured. The mobile phone user only needs to select the ‘to’ and ‘from’ exchange rate currencies that he/she wishes to use. The system and method enables downloading to the mobile phone of the specified exchange rate currencies directly from the mobile phone service provider, and further obviates the need for a separate application to be downloaded to provide this function.