A method performed in a portable computing device for intelligently performing audio playback, upon connecting with an audio output system. The portable computing device detects that a connection is made with an audio output system. The portable computing device determines a first audio playback application that last played audio and when the first audio playback application last played audio. If the first audio playback application played audio within a specified amount of time in the past, then the portable computing device signals that audio playback be performed from the first audio playback application (through the connection made with the audio output system.) If the first audio playback application did not play audio within the specified amount of time in the past, then the portable computing device determines a second audio playback application that last played audio when the portable computing device was previously connected to the audio output system and signals audio playback from the second audio playback application (through the connection made with the audio output system.) Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

A vehicle safety function is installed and operative in the vehicle electronics. The vehicle function is implemented via a texting-safety logic inside the vehicle electronics. The texting-safety logic when the vehicle exceeds a threshold speed outputs an RF signal with a texting-safety code. The texting-safety code is picked up by a smart phone in the vehicle to alert the driver about the danger of texting and/or disable the texting feature in the phone while the vehicle is being driven.

A vehicle includes one or more microphones that are each configured to selectively provide sound signals from one or more seating positions in the vehicle. A controller is programmed to receive an input indicative of a request to enter a group conversation mode upon initiation of a call, and, responsive to receiving the input, enable the microphones to selectively provide sound signals from all of the seating positions.

A lyrics display apparatus for an automobile including a lower base unit and an upper base unit. A bottom side of the lower base unit is removably disposed on a dashboard of an automobile. A rechargeable battery, a first storage element, and a central processing unit are disposed within the upper base unit. A charging port, at least one battery status indicator light, an activation control, and a display screen are disposed on the upper base unit. A projector, a speaker, and a microphone are disposed on the upper side of the upper base. The central processing unit is configured to recognize and acquire lyrics of a song from the first storage element when the microphone relays the song to the central processing unit. The projector is configured to display lyrics of the song recognized and acquired by the central processing unit onto a windshield of an automobile.

A mobile device (101) includes: a memory for storing contact information of the mobile device, a transceiver for exchanging voice and/or data signals within a telecommunications network, wherein the mobile device is configured to: provide (501, 513) the contact information to a server in the network, initiate (202), in response to a first user input, a first voice connection to the server; and at least one of receive (2051), from the server, command data for initiating (2052) a second voice connection to a called party identified in the contact information; and send (2054) authorization to the server to access user credentials included in the contact information.

Provided is a computer implemented method and system for delivering text messages, emails, and messages from a messenger application to a user while the user is engaged in an activity, such as driving, exercising, or working. Typically, the emails and other messages are announced to the user and read aloud without any user input. In Drive Mode, while the user is driving, a clean interface is shown to the user, and the user can hear announcements and messages/emails aloud without looking at the screen of the phone, and use gestures to operate the phone. After a determination is made that a new text message and/or email has arrived, the user is informed aloud of the text message/email/messenger message and in most instances, and if the user takes no further action, the body and/or subject of the text message/email/messenger message is read aloud to the user. All messages can be placed in a single queue, and read to the user in order of receipt.

A signal input module receives at least one of an entertainment audio signal and a telephony audio signal from vehicle sound circuitry. A level control module executes gain level control logic to balance the entertainment audio signal and a telephony audio signal according to a ratio. A gain control signal is applied to at least one of the entertainment audio signal and the telephony audio signal. A routing module mixes the entertainment audio signal and the telephony audio signal and routes the mixed signal to an output channel associated with a speaker.

A first task and a second task executable by a mobile computing device are associated with a first predefined symbol and a second predefined symbol, respectively. The first task and the second task are different types of tasks executable by the mobile computing device after the mobile computing device has been unlocked. Through a touch-sensitive display of the mobile computing device, a first gesture input from a user is detected while the mobile computing device is locked. The first gesture input represents the first predefined symbol. In response to the detecting the first gesture input, the first task is executed. Through the touch-sensitive display of the mobile computing device, a second gesture input from the user is detected while the mobile computing device is locked. The second gesture input represents the second predefined symbol. In response to the detecting the second gesture input, the second task is executed.

Systems and methods for preventing a driver from driving concurrently with using a mobile phone, by disabling functionalities of the mobile phone or by disabling the driver's ability to drive, when the possibility of such concurrent use is detected.

According to one aspect of one embodiment of the present invention, a safety control system for using applications in vehicles, includes, a communication device having at least one of an input accessible from within the vehicle and an output communicated within the vehicle, at least one sensor operable to sense at least one condition related to vehicle operation, and data about distraction features of a running application, to and a controller communicated with the sensor and the communication device to selectively suppress at least one of said input and said output in response to a sensed parameter of said at least one condition being outside of a threshold. When an input is suppressed, the driver is prevented from accessing or inputting information into the communication device. When an output is suppressed, communication between the device and the driver of a vehicle is suppressed to, among other things, avoid distracting the driver during certain driving situations or conditions relating to the driver, vehicle and/or environment.