An enhanced radio system is disclosed that provides for the capture and playback of one or more radio stations. A user may tune to a station, scan through stations, rewind through missed content (even while the system is off), and fast-forward through undesired content, while downloading and uploading audio content, and sending content to another user. A user may rate content, and be notified when that content is played on any station, with undesirable content skipped and desirable content saved, or station recommendations made. Support for multiple sets of configuration information to allow use by multiple listeners and in multiple locations may be provided. Optionally provided are security features to prevent the unauthorized downloading, uploading, and saving of copies of content, other radio related and content related information, a karaoke mode, integration with a telephone with the radio, or reporting usage information to a collection facility.

An enhanced radio system is disclosed that provides for the capture and playback of one or more radio stations. A user may tune to a station, scan through stations, rewind through missed content (even while the system is off), and fast-forward through undesired content, while downloading and uploading audio content, and sending content to another user. A user may rate content, and be notified when that content is played on any station, with undesirable content skipped and desirable content saved, or station recommendations made. Support for multiple sets of configuration information to allow use by multiple listeners and in multiple locations may be provided. Optionally provided are security features to prevent the unauthorized downloading, uploading, and saving of copies of content, other radio related and content related information, a karaoke mode, integration with a telephone with the radio, or reporting usage information to a collection facility.

Allocating streaming content on a hybrid network can include searching for streaming content broadcast via broadcast signals over a broadcast network as a communications device is receiving the streaming content via a cellular network. Responsive to identifying, based on the searching, a within-range broadcast source broadcasting the streaming content via broadcast signals, the communications device can begin receiving the streaming content via the broadcast signals over the broadcast network and cease receiving the streaming content via the cellular network.

Allocating streaming content on a hybrid network can include searching for streaming content broadcast via broadcast signals over a broadcast network as a communications device is receiving the streaming content via a cellular network. Responsive to identifying, based on the searching, a within-range broadcast source broadcasting the streaming content via broadcast signals, the communications device can begin receiving the streaming content via the broadcast signals over the broadcast network and cease receiving the streaming content via the cellular network.

A radio receiver comprises radio frequency (RF) receiver circuitry that receives a radio broadcast signal, an Internet network interface, a display, a memory, processing circuitry, and a client application including instructions for execution by the processing circuitry. The client application is configured to: determine geographic location information of the radio receiver; determine radio broadcasts that are available to the radio receiver using the geographical location information; select metadata, from metadata stored in the memory, that is associated with the radio broadcasts available to the radio receiver; and present information included in the selected metadata using the display according to the received radio broadcast signal.

A system comprises an intermediate communication platform that provides an interface to an Internet network; and a first server including: a port operatively coupled to the intermediate communication platform, processing circuitry, and a service application for execution by the processor. The service application is configured to: receive audio content recognition information from a first radio receiver of multiple radio receivers via the intermediate communication platform, wherein the audio content recognition information identifies audio content received by the first receiver in a radio broadcast; determine audio metadata associated with the received audio content recognition information; and send the audio metadata to the multiple radio receivers via the intermediate communication platform.

A method of reception and playback of audio and/or audiovisual contents in a receiver device capable of receiving a determined audio and/or audiovisual stream coming from a one-way or two-way network. A determined stream broadcast on a network is received and the contents transmitted by the stream are played back in the receiver device. A first event external to the receiver device is detected. It triggers interruption of the playback of the content in progress and recording of the instant of the interruption. Then a second external event is detected. It triggers determining the availability of the unplayed part of the interrupted content and the display of a menu to a user that he should play back the unplayed part. The introduction of a command then triggers retrieval of the unplayed part and the playback of the retrieved content part.

A method of reception and playback of audio and/or audiovisual contents in a receiver device capable of receiving a determined audio and/or audiovisual stream coming from a one-way or two-way network. A determined stream broadcast on a network is received and the contents transmitted by the stream are played back in the receiver device. A first event external to the receiver device is detected. It triggers interruption of the playback of the content in progress and recording of the instant of the interruption. Then a second external event is detected. It triggers determining the availability of the unplayed part of the interrupted content and the display of a menu to a user that he should play back the unplayed part. The introduction of a command then triggers retrieval of the unplayed part and the playback of the retrieved content part.

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing devices capable of the reception and playback of one or more crafted media channels transmitted over an intermittent connection. The one or more channels may be customized by the end user to bias the programming towards individual tastes or moods. The channels may be delivered over an intermittent, unidirectional link, for example a Satellite Radio receiver in a home or car. Content may also be delivered over an intermittent, bidirectional link, for example to a portable media player via a wireless 802.11 or other networked connection.

A system comprises an intermediate communication platform that provides an interface to an Internet network; and a first server including: a port operatively coupled to the intermediate communication platform, processing circuitry, and a service application for execution by the processor. The service application is configured to: receive audio content recognition information from a first radio receiver of multiple radio receivers via the intermediate communication platform, wherein the audio content recognition information identifies audio content received by the first receiver in a radio broadcast; determine audio metadata associated with the received audio content recognition information; and send the audio metadata to the multiple radio receivers via the intermediate communication platform.