Abstract: A remote control system and method for controlling and interacting with a variety of devices and systems is disclosed. The system comprises at least one command server which is operable to receive control commands from a handheld communications device and to generate and transmit command signals in response to the received control commands, the transmitted command signals interacting with one or more devices controlled by the system. In one embodiment, the handheld communications device is operable to exchange data with an account server that maintains data and configuration information for the system and the devices to be controlled by it over a first communications modality. The handheld communications device transfers control commands and other data with the command server via a second communications modality and the handheld communications device can transfer data between the account server and the command server as needed.

Abstract: A novel interactive event guide system and method which allows users to select events from a set of event listings and to obtain additional information and/or services relevant to the selected events. The additional information and/or services can include access to E-commerce sites offering products related to an event selected from the event listings, access to sites offering additional information relating to products advertised during a selected event and/or products advertised by product placements within a selected event and/or access to social networking services. Demographic information about the user can be provided to an advertiser of a selected event to allow the advertiser to provide appropriate additional information to the user and/or to allow the advertiser to better analyze the success of their advertisement.