Improved techniques for facilitating emergency access to one or more contacts stored on a portable electronic device are disclosed. One or more contacts on the portable electronic device are designated as emergency contacts. While the portable electronic device is password-locked, a request to display the one or more emergency contacts on the password-locked portable electronic device is received. Without requiring a password, the one or more emergency contacts are displayed on the portable electronic device.

A computer-implemented method includes detecting a distinct area within an image, comparing detected features of the distinct area within the image to reference features corresponding to a reference image, and determining that the detected distinct area matches the reference image based on the comparison between the detected features and the reference features. The method further includes receiving an indication that the user selects the detected distinct area within the image, retrieving contact information corresponding to the reference image, and causing the client device to display an interface allowing the user to contact the entity.

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for improving establishment and broadcasting of communication among mobile computing devices. For example, a method comprises determining a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; determining a second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user; and initiating the audio conversation between the first user and the second user, wherein the audio conversation is streamed to a third user who accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user.

A method and system includes the ability for individuals to set up an ad hoc digital and voice network easily and rapidly to allow users to coordinate their activities by eliminating the need for pre-entry of data into a web or identifying others by name, phone numbers or email. This method is especially useful for police, fire fighters, military, first responders or other emergency situations for coordinating different organizations at the scene of a disaster to elevate conventional communication problems either up and down the chain of command or cross communication between different emergency units. The method and system provides that the users are only required to enter a specific Server IP address and an ad hoc event name, a password and perhaps the name of the particular unit.

A method and system includes the ability for individuals to set up an ad hoc digital and voice network easily and rapidly to allow users to coordinate their activities by eliminating the need for pre-entry of data into a web or identifying others by name, phone numbers or email. This method is especially useful for police, fire fighters, military, first responders or other emergency situations for coordinating different organizations at the scene of a disaster to elevate conventional communication problems either up and down the chain of command or cross communication between different emergency units. The method and system provides that the users are only required to enter a specific Server IP address and an ad hoc event name, a password and perhaps the name of the particular unit.

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for improving establishment and broadcasting of communication among mobile computing devices based on generating visual representations for use in audio conversations.

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for improving establishment and broadcasting of communication among mobile computing devices, including providing an improved user experience using descriptive operator access. For example, a method comprises determining a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; determining a second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user; and initiating the audio conversation between the first user and the second user, wherein the audio conversation is streamed to a third user who accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user, wherein a selectable descriptive operator associated with at least one of the audio conversation, the first user, or the second user, is displayed to third user on the mobile application.

A portable electronic device for instant messaging is disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a graphical user interface (GUI) on a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. The GUI has a set of messages exchanged between a user of the device and another person. The set of messages are displayed in a chronological order. In response to detecting a scrolling gesture comprising a substantially vertical movement of a user contact with the touch screen display, the display of messages are scrolled in accordance with a direction of the scrolling gesture. The detecting of the scrolling gesture is substantially independent of a horizontal position of the user contact with the touch screen display.

A portable electronic device for instant messaging is disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a graphical user interface (GUI) on a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. The GUI has a set of messages exchanged between a user of the device and another person. The set of messages are displayed in a chronological order. In response to detecting a scrolling gesture comprising a substantially vertical movement of a user contact with the touch screen display, the display of messages are scrolled in accordance with a direction of the scrolling gesture. The detecting of the scrolling gesture is substantially independent of a horizontal position of the user contact with the touch screen display.

A passenger seat voice communication system (100) for a passenger seat of a passenger vehicle includes a first communication device (102A) that supports voice communication. The first communication (102A) device includes a receiver (108) and a video monitor (110). The system includes a second communication device (102B) configured to support voice communication at a second passenger seat. The system also includes a controller (104) that receives from the first communication device (102A) a selection and request to establish voice communication with the second passenger seat, and sends the request to the second communication device (102B). If the request is accepted by the second communication device (102B), the controller (104) establishes voice communication between the first communication device (102A) and the second communication device (102B).