System, method, and computer program product for social networking utilizing a vehicular assembly

• US 8,078,397 B1
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: Boadin Technology LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Zilka, Kevin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elchanti, Hussein
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mawari, Redhwan k
• Application Number:
  US12/340,585
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/200, 701/207, 701/208, 701/210, 701/213, 455/457, 455/552.1, 455/466, 455/414, 455/412, 340/995
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3679 Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 for in-vehicle communication

Abstract

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for social networking utilizing a vehicular assembly. In operation, a vehicular assembly is utilized to communicate with a mobile device. Information about social contacts is received, utilizing the mobile device. Further, the information about social contacts is displayed, utilizing the vehicular assembly.

Claims

1. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:

code for working in association with a vehicular assembly coupleable to a vehicle, the vehicular assembly including at least one processor, memory, at least one input device, at least one display, at least one speaker, at least one microphone, a navigation system, and at least one interface capable of communicating with a mobile device;

code for causing communication between the mobile device and the vehicular assembly, utilizing the at least one interface of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for social contact status content including a selection in association with indicia corresponding to a social contact, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for social contact status content, causing generation of a social contact status content request for the social contact status content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for causing transmission of the social contact status content request;

code for allowing receipt of the social contact status content;

code for, after the receipt of the social contact status content, causing processing of the social contact status content, utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of the social contact status content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of a picture corresponding to the social contact, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for traffic service content, causing generation of a traffic service content request for the traffic service content;

code for causing transmission of the traffic service content request;

code for allowing receipt of the traffic service content;

code for, after the receipt of the traffic service content, causing processing of the traffic service content, utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of the traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for restaurant content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for restaurant content, causing generation of a restaurant content request for the restaurant content;

code for causing transmission of the restaurant content request;

code for allowing receipt of the restaurant content;

code for, after the receipt of the restaurant content, causing processing of the restaurant content, utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of the restaurant content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of a pictorial portion of the restaurant content, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for driving directions to a restaurant, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the restaurant, causing generation of the driving directions to the restaurant;

code for causing output of the driving directions to the restaurant, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for streaming content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for streaming content, causing generation of a streaming content request for the streaming content;

code for causing transmission of the streaming content request;

code for allowing receipt of the streaming content;

code for causing output of the streaming content, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user input requesting communication of user status information, utilizing the vehicular assembly; and

code for, in response to the receipt of the user input requesting the communication of user status information, causing transmission of the user status information.

2. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the at least one input device includes a touchscreen.

3. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the indicia corresponding to the social contact includes an icon, and the selection in association with the indicia corresponding to the social contact includes selection of the icon.

4. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the at least one interface includes a wired or wireless interface.

5. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the at least one input device and the at least one display are components of a touch screen device.

6. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the at least one display includes a touch screen device.

7. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the social contact status content indicates at least one of an available or unavailable status, or location information.

8. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the processing of the social contact status content, the processing of the traffic service content, and the processing of the restaurant content includes reformatting for output utilizing the vehicular assembly.

9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the reformatting involves reformatting from a text format to an audio format.

10. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the processing of the social contact status content, the processing of the traffic service content, and the processing of the restaurant content includes a conversion of at least a portion thereof from text-to-speech for output utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly.

11. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the transmission of the social contact status content request and the receipt of the social contact status content;

the transmission of the traffic service content request and the receipt of the traffic service content;

the transmission of the restaurant content request and the receipt of the restaurant content; and

the transmission of the streaming content request and the receipt of the streaming content, are carried out over a mobile device/vehicular assembly communication channel.

12. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the transmission of the social contact status content request and the receipt of the social contact status content;

the transmission of the traffic service content request and the receipt of the traffic service content;

the transmission of the restaurant content request and the receipt of the restaurant content; and

the transmission of the streaming content request and the receipt of the streaming content, are carried out utilizing a mobile device/vehicular assembly communication channel such that a separate cellular or broadband wireless channel of the mobile device is utilized to receive the social contact status content, the traffic service content, the restaurant content, and the streaming content.

13. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising code for identifying a current location such that at least one of the restaurant content or the traffic service content is related to the current location.

14. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising code for identifying a current location and at least one aspect of a route such that the traffic service content is related to the current location and the at least one aspect of the route.

15. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that an automatically-generated estimated time of arrival is caused to be communicated.

16. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising code for allowing receipt of a user request for community traffic content including third party traffic condition input from a plurality of vehicles, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for community traffic content, causing generation of a community traffic content request for the community traffic content;

code for causing transmission of the community traffic content request; and

code for allowing receipt of the community traffic content; and

code for, after the receipt of the community traffic content, causing output of the community traffic content, utilizing the vehicular assembly.

17. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising code for allowing receipt of a user input requesting communication of user traffic condition information, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user input requesting the communication of user traffic condition information, allowing generation of the user traffic condition information; and

code for causing transmission of the user traffic condition information.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the generation of the user traffic condition information and the transmission of the user traffic condition information is conducted repeatedly and automatically.

19. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable to allow a user to initiate a predefined text message.

20. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable to retrieve data from the mobile device, the data including calendar information, for display purposes.

21. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising software application code for working in association with the mobile device to cooperate with the code for working in association with the vehicular assembly.

22. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising code for allowing access to a plurality of different online applications including a first online application that provides access to a first one or more files associated with the first online application, a second online application that provides access to a second one or more files associated with the second online application, a third online application that provides access to a third one or more files associated with the third online application, and a fourth online application that provides access to a fourth one or more files associated with the fourth online application.

23. The computer program product of claim 22, and further comprising code for displaying at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

code for displaying at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

code for displaying at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes;

code for displaying at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes;

code for receiving a selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

code for receiving a selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

code for receiving a selection of the at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes;

code for receiving a selection of the at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes;

code for, in response to the selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes, allowing access to the first online application;

code for, in response to the selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes, allowing access to the second online application;

code for, in response to the selection of the at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes, allowing access to the third online application; and

code for, in response to the selection of the at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes, allowing access to the fourth online application.

24. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising code for allowing receipt of a user request for news, weather, and stock content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for news, weather, and stock content, causing generation of a corresponding content request;

code for causing transmission of the corresponding content request;

code for allowing receipt of corresponding content;

code for, after the receipt of the corresponding content, causing conversion of the corresponding content, at least in part, to corresponding speech utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly; and

code for causing output of the corresponding speech, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly.

25. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising code for providing communication with the social contact, in response to selection of an icon.

26. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the communication includes voice communication.

27. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the communication includes textual communication.

28. The computer program product of claim 25, and further comprising code for providing additional information to the social contact, in response to selection of the icon.

29. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the additional information includes at least one of destination information, an estimated time of arrival, or a message.

30. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising code for providing driving directions to a location of the social contact, in response to selection of an icon.

31. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising code for allowing receipt of a user request for contacts database content from a contacts database stored on the mobile device, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for contacts database content, causing generation of a contacts database content request for the contacts database content;

code for causing transmission of the contacts database content request;

code for allowing receipt of the contacts database content;

code for, after the receipt of the contacts database content, causing processing of the contacts database content, utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly; and

code for causing output of the contacts database content, utilizing the vehicular assembly.

32. The computer program product of claim 31, and further comprising code for allowing receipt of a user request for driving directions to a particular contact address from the contacts database stored on the mobile device, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the particular contact address, causing generation of the driving directions to the particular contact address; and

code for causing output of the driving directions to the particular contact address, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly.

33. The computer program product of claim 31, and further comprising code for allowing receipt of a user request for communication with a particular contact from the contacts database stored on the mobile device, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

and

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for communication with the particular contact, allowing communication with the particular contact.

34. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising:

code for allowing receipt of an instant message utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for causing conversion of the instant message from text to speech utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly; and

code for causing output of the instant message utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly.

35. The computer program product of claim 34, and further comprising code for displaying a plurality of message options for being selected to be sent to a recipient, utilizing the vehicular assembly.

36. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the plurality of message options includes predefined text messages.

37. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the plurality of message options includes an automatically provided estimated time of arrival.

38. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the plurality of message options includes a status.

39. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising code for causing a determination whether a trigger signal is received utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, after it is determined that the trigger signal has been received, allowing receipt of an utterance utilizing the at least one microphone of the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the utterance, causing retrieval of Internet content; and

code for causing output of the Internet content, utilizing the vehicular assembly.

40. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising code for allowing a user to initiate social networking-related status updates.

41. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the social contact is part of a social network.

42. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor includes at least one of a microprocessor and a central processing unit.

43. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the at least one input device includes a button.

44. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein each transmission is carried out utilizing the vehicular assembly.

45. A system, comprising the computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising a vehicular assembly.

46. A system, comprising the computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising a vehicular assembly and a vehicle.

47. A system, comprising the computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising a mobile phone.

48. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the social contact status content includes at least one of text or a picture.

49. The computer program product of claim 1, and further comprising code for allowing receipt of a user request for news, weather, and stock content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for news, weather, and stock content, causing generation of a corresponding content request;

code for causing transmission of the corresponding content request;

code for allowing receipt of corresponding content; and

code for, after the receipt of the corresponding content, causing output of the corresponding content, utilizing the vehicular assembly.

50. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the code for working in association with the vehicular assembly includes an application program interface.

51. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the code includes hardware code.

52. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the code includes software code.

53. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein each user request includes at least one of tactile input or vocal input.

54. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:

code for working in association with a vehicular assembly coupleable to a vehicle, the vehicular assembly including at least one processor, memory, at least one input device, at least one display, at least one speaker, at least one microphone, a navigation system, and at least one interface capable of communicating with a mobile device;

code for causing communication between the mobile device and the vehicular assembly, utilizing the at least one interface of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing a determination whether a trigger signal is received, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, after it is determined that the trigger signal has been received, allowing receipt of an utterance, utilizing the at least one microphone of the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the utterance, causing retrieval of certain content;

code for causing output of the certain content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for social contact status content including a selection in association with indicia corresponding to a social contact, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for social contact status content, causing output of the social contact status content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for traffic service content, causing output of the traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for restaurant information associated with a restaurant, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of the restaurant information, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for driving directions to the restaurant, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the restaurant, causing generation of the driving directions to the restaurant;

code for causing output of the driving directions to the restaurant, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for particular content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for particular content, causing generation of a particular content request;

code for causing transmission of the particular content request;

code for allowing receipt of the particular content;

code for, after the receipt of the particular content, causing conversion of the particular content, at least in part, to particular content speech, utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of the particular content speech, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for streaming content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for streaming content, causing generation of a streaming content request for the streaming content;

code for causing transmission of the streaming content request;

code for allowing receipt of the streaming content;

code for causing output of the streaming content, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user input requesting communication of user status information, utilizing the vehicular assembly; and

code for, in response to the receipt of the user input requesting the communication of user status information, causing transmission of the user status information.

55. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a transmission of a social contact status content request and a receipt of the social contact status content are carried out over a mobile device/vehicular assembly communication channel such that a separate cellular or broadband wireless channel of the mobile device is utilized.

56. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a transmission of a traffic service content request and a receipt of the traffic service content are carried out over a mobile device/vehicular assembly communication channel such that a separate cellular or broadband wireless channel of the mobile device is utilized.

57. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a transmission of a restaurant information request and a receipt of the restaurant information are carried out over a mobile device/vehicular assembly communication channel such that a separate cellular or broadband wireless channel of the mobile device is utilized.

58. The computer program product of claim 54, and further comprising code for identifying a current location such that at least one of the restaurant information and the traffic service content is related to the current location.

59. The computer program product of claim 54, and further comprising code for identifying a current location and at least one aspect of a route such that the traffic service content is related to the current location and the at least one aspect of the route.

60. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the computer program product is operable such that an automatically-generated estimated time of arrival is caused to be communicated to a third party.

61. The computer program product of claim 54, and further comprising code for allowing receipt of a user request for community traffic content including third party traffic condition input from a plurality of vehicles in connection with a community traffic service, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for community traffic content, causing generation of a community traffic content request for the community traffic content;

code for causing transmission of the community traffic content request; and

code for allowing receipt of the community traffic content; and

code for, after the receipt of the community traffic content, causing output of the community traffic content, utilizing the vehicular assembly.

62. The computer program product of claim 61, and further comprising code for allowing receipt of a user input requesting communication of user traffic condition information in connection with the community traffic service, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user input requesting communication of user traffic condition information, allowing generation of the user traffic condition information; and

code for causing transmission of the user traffic condition information.

63. The computer program product of claim 62, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the generation of the user traffic condition information and the transmission of the user traffic condition information is conducted repeatedly and automatically.

64. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the particular content includes at least one of road-related information, news-related information, and weather-related information.

65. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the particular content includes at least two of road-related information, news-related information, weather-related information, and stock-related information.

66. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the particular content includes weather information.

67. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the particular content includes news.

68. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the computer program product is operable to allow a user to initiate a predefined text message.

69. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the computer program product is operable to retrieve data from the mobile device, the data including calendar information, for display purposes.

70. The computer program product of claim 54, and further comprising software application code for working in association with the mobile device to cooperate with the code for working in association with the vehicular assembly.

71. The computer program product of claim 54, and further comprising code for allowing access to a plurality of different online applications including a first online application that provides access to a first one or more files associated with the first online application, a second online application that provides access to a second one or more files associated with the second online application, a third online application that provides access to a third one or more files associated with the third online application, and a fourth online application that provides access to a fourth one or more files associated with the fourth online application;

and further comprising code for displaying at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

code for displaying at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

code for displaying at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes;

code for displaying at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes;

code for receiving a selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

code for receiving a selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

code for receiving a selection of the at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes;

code for receiving a selection of the at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes;

code for, in response to the selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes, allowing access to the first online application;

code for, in response to the selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes, allowing access to the second online application;

code for, in response to the selection of the at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes, allowing access to the third online application; and

code for, in response to the selection of the at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes, allowing access to the fourth online application.

72. The computer program product of claim 54, and further comprising code for allowing receipt of a user request for news, weather, and stock content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for news, weather, and stock content, causing generation of a corresponding content request;

code for causing transmission of the corresponding content request;

code for allowing receipt of corresponding content;

code for, after the receipt of the corresponding content, causing conversion of the corresponding content, at least in part, to corresponding speech utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly; and

code for causing output of the corresponding speech, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly.

73. The computer program product of claim 54, and further comprising code for providing communication with the social contact, in response to selection of an icon.

74. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the communication includes voice communication.

75. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the communication includes textual communication.

76. The computer program product of claim 54, and further comprising code for providing driving directions to a location of the social contact, in response to selection of an icon.

77. The computer program product of claim 54, and further comprising code for allowing receipt of a user request for contacts database content from a contacts database stored on the mobile device, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for contacts database content, causing generation of a contacts database content request for the contacts database content;

code for causing transmission of the contacts database content request;

code for allowing receipt of the contacts database content;

code for, after the receipt of the contacts database content, causing processing of the contacts database content, utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly; and

code for causing output of the contacts database content, utilizing the vehicular assembly.

78. The computer program product of claim 77, and further comprising code for allowing receipt of a user request for driving directions to a particular contact address from the contacts database stored on the mobile device, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the particular contact address, causing generation of the driving directions to the particular contact address; and

code for causing output of the driving directions to the particular contact address, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly.

79. The computer program product of claim 77, and further comprising code for allowing receipt of a user request for communication with a particular contact from the contacts database stored on the mobile device, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

and

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for communication with the particular contact, allowing communication with the particular contact.

80. The computer program product of claim 54, and further comprising:

code for allowing receipt of an instant message utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for causing conversion of the instant message from text to speech utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly; and

code for causing output of the instant message utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly.

81. The computer program product of claim 54, and further comprising code for displaying a plurality of message options for being selected to be sent to a recipient, utilizing the vehicular assembly.

82. The computer program product of claim 81, wherein the plurality of message options includes predefined text messages.

83. The computer program product of claim 81, wherein the plurality of message options includes an automatically provided estimated time of arrival.

84. The computer program product of claim 81, wherein the plurality of message options includes a status.

85. The computer program product of claim 54, wherein the social contact is part of a social network.

86. The computer program product of claim 54, and further comprising code for allowing receipt of a user request for news, weather, and stock content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for news, weather, and stock content, causing generation of a corresponding content request;

code for causing transmission of the corresponding content request;

code for allowing receipt of corresponding content; and

code for, after the receipt of the corresponding content, causing output of the corresponding content, utilizing the vehicular assembly.

87. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:

code for working in association with a vehicular assembly coupleable to a vehicle, the vehicular assembly including at least one processor, memory, at least one input device, at least one display, at least one speaker, at least one microphone, a navigation system, and at least one interface capable of communicating with a mobile device;

code for causing communication between the mobile device and the vehicular assembly, utilizing the at least one interface of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing a determination whether a trigger signal is received, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, after it is determined that the trigger signal has been received, allowing receipt of an utterance, utilizing the at least one microphone of the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the utterance, causing retrieval of certain content;

code for causing output of the certain content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for social contact status content including a selection in association with indicia corresponding to a social contact, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for social contact status content, causing output of the social contact status content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for traffic service content, causing output of the traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for restaurant information associated with a restaurant, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of the restaurant information, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for driving directions to the restaurant, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the restaurant, causing generation of the driving directions to the restaurant;

code for causing output of the driving directions to the restaurant, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for particular content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for particular content, causing generation of a particular content request;

code for causing transmission of the particular content request;

code for allowing receipt of the particular content;

code for, after the receipt of the particular content, causing conversion of the particular content, at least in part, to particular content speech, utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of the particular content speech, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for streaming content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for streaming content, causing generation of a streaming content request for the streaming content;

code for causing transmission of the streaming content request;

code for allowing receipt of the streaming content;

code for causing output of the streaming content, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for, in association with the vehicular assembly, allowing access to a plurality of different online applications including a first online application that provides access to a first one or more files associated with the first online application, a second online application that provides access to a second one or more files associated with the second online application, a third online application that provides access to a third one or more files associated with the third online application, and a fourth online application that provides access to a fourth one or more files associated with the fourth online application; and

code for;

displaying at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes;

in response to the selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes, allowing access to the first online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes, allowing access to the second online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes, allowing access to the third online application; and

in response to the selection of the at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes, allowing access to the fourth online application.

88. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:

code for working in association with a vehicular assembly coupleable to a vehicle, the vehicular assembly including at least one processor, memory, at least one input device, at least one display, at least one speaker, at least one microphone, a navigation system, and at least one interface capable of communicating with a mobile device;

code for causing communication between the mobile device and the vehicular assembly, utilizing the at least one interface of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing a determination whether a trigger signal is received, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, after it is determined that the trigger signal has been received, allowing receipt of an utterance, utilizing the at least one microphone of the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the utterance, causing retrieval of certain content;

code for causing output of the certain content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for contact content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for contact content, causing output of the contact content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for driving directions to a particular contact address, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the particular contact address, causing generation of the driving directions to the particular contact address;

code for causing output of the driving directions to the particular contact address, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for communication with a selected contact, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for communication with the selected contact, allowing communication with the selected contact, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for traffic service content, causing output of the traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for restaurant information associated with a restaurant, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of the restaurant information, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for driving directions to the restaurant, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the restaurant, causing generation of the driving directions to the restaurant;

code for causing output of the driving directions to the restaurant, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for streaming content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for streaming content, causing generation of a streaming content request for the streaming content;

code for causing transmission of the streaming content request;

code for allowing receipt of the streaming content;

code for causing output of the streaming content, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of an instant message, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for causing conversion of the instant message from text to speech, utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of the instant message, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of a plurality of message options for being selected to be sent to a recipient, utilizing the vehicular assembly, wherein the plurality of message options includes predefined text messages;

code for, in association with the vehicular assembly, allowing access to a plurality of different online applications including a first online application that provides access to a first one or more files associated with the first online application, a second online application that provides access to a second one or more files associated with the second online application, a third online application that provides access to a third one or more files associated with the third online application, and a fourth online application that provides access to a fourth one or more files associated with the fourth online application; and

code for;

displaying at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes;

in response to the selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes, allowing access to the first online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes, allowing access to the second online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes, allowing access to the third online application; and

in response to the selection of the at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes, allowing access to the fourth online application.

89. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:

code for working in association with a vehicular assembly coupleable to a vehicle, the vehicular assembly including at least one processor, memory, at least one input device, at least one display, at least one speaker, at least one microphone, a navigation system, and at least one interface capable of communicating with a mobile device;

code for causing communication between the mobile device and the vehicular assembly, utilizing the at least one interface of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing a determination whether a trigger signal is received, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, after it is determined that the trigger signal has been received, allowing receipt of an utterance, utilizing the at least one microphone of the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the utterance, causing retrieval of certain content;

code for causing output of the certain content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for contact content including a selection in association with indicia corresponding to a contact, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for contact content, causing output of the contact content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for traffic service content, causing output of the traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for restaurant information associated with a restaurant, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of the restaurant information, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for driving directions to the restaurant, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the restaurant, causing generation of the driving directions to the restaurant;

code for causing output of the driving directions to the restaurant, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for particular content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for particular content, causing generation of a particular content request;

code for causing transmission of the particular content request;

code for allowing receipt of the particular content;

code for, after the receipt of the particular content, causing conversion of the particular content, at least in part, to particular content speech, utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of the particular content speech, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for streaming content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for streaming content, causing generation of a streaming content request for the streaming content;

code for causing transmission of the streaming content request;

code for allowing receipt of the streaming content;

code for causing output of the streaming content, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for, in association with the vehicular assembly, allowing access to a plurality of different online applications including a first online application that provides access to a first one or more files associated with the first online application, a second online application that provides access to a second one or more files associated with the second online application, a third online application that provides access to a third one or more files associated with the third online application, and a fourth online application that provides access to a fourth one or more files associated with the fourth online application; and

code for;

displaying at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes;

in response to the selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes, allowing access to the first online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes, allowing access to the second online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes, allowing access to the third online application; and

in response to the selection of the at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes, allowing access to the fourth online application.

90. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:

code for working in association with a vehicular assembly coupleable to a vehicle, the vehicular assembly including at least one processor, memory, at least one input device, at least one display, at least one speaker, at least one microphone, a navigation system, and at least one interface capable of communicating with a mobile device;

code for causing communication between the mobile device and the vehicular assembly, utilizing the at least one interface of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing a determination whether a trigger signal is received utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, after it is determined that the trigger signal has been received, allowing receipt of an utterance utilizing the at least one microphone of the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the utterance, causing retrieval of particular content;

code for causing output of the particular content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for driving directions to a particular address, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the particular address, causing generation of the driving directions to the particular address;

code for causing output of the driving directions to the particular address, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for communication with a particular contact, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for communication with the particular contact, allowing communication with the particular contact;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for traffic service content, causing generation of a traffic service content request for the traffic service content;

code for causing transmission of the traffic service content request;

code for allowing receipt of the traffic service content;

code for, after the receipt of the traffic service content, causing output of the traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for restaurant content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for restaurant content, causing output of the restaurant content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for driving directions to a restaurant, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the restaurant, causing generation of the driving directions to the restaurant;

code for causing output of the driving directions to the restaurant, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for streaming content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for streaming content, causing generation of a streaming content request for the streaming content;

code for causing transmission of the streaming content request;

code for allowing receipt of the streaming content;

code for causing output of the streaming content, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for at least one of weather or news content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for at least one of weather or news content, causing generation of a corresponding content request;

code for causing transmission of the corresponding content request;

code for allowing receipt of corresponding content;

code for, after the receipt of the corresponding content, causing conversion of the corresponding content, at least in part, to corresponding speech utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of the corresponding speech, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of an instant message utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for causing conversion of the instant message from text to speech, utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of the instant message, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of a plurality of message options for being selected to be sent to a recipient, utilizing the vehicular assembly, wherein the plurality of message options includes predefined text messages;

code for, in association with the vehicular assembly, allowing access to a plurality of different online applications including a first online application that provides access to a first one or more files associated with the first online application, a second online application that provides access to a second one or more files associated with the second online application, a third online application that provides access to a third one or more files associated with the third online application, and a fourth online application that provides access to a fourth one or more files associated with the fourth online application, by;

displaying at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes;

in response to the selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes, allowing access to the first online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes, allowing access to the second online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes, allowing access to the third online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes, allowing access to the fourth online application;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that requests for certain data and receipt of the certain data are carried out utilizing a mobile device/vehicular assembly communication channel such that a separate cellular or broadband wireless channel of the mobile device is utilized to receive the certain data.

91. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:

code for working in association with a vehicular assembly coupleable to a vehicle, the vehicular assembly including at least one processor, memory, at least one input device, at least one display, at least one speaker, at least one microphone, a navigation system, and at least one interface capable of communicating with a mobile device;

code for causing communication between the mobile device and the vehicular assembly, utilizing the at least one interface of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing a determination whether a trigger signal is received utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, after it is determined that the trigger signal has been received, allowing receipt of an utterance utilizing the at least one microphone of the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the utterance, causing retrieval of particular content;

code for causing output of the particular content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for contacts database content from a contacts database stored on the mobile device, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for contacts database content, causing generation of a contacts database content request for the contacts database content;

code for causing transmission of the contacts database content request;

code for allowing receipt of the contacts database content;

code for, after the receipt of the contacts database content, causing output of the contacts database content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for driving directions to a particular contact address from the contacts database stored on the mobile device, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the particular contact address, causing generation of the driving directions to the particular contact address;

code for causing output of the driving directions to the particular contact address, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for communication with a particular contact from the contacts database stored on the mobile device, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for communication with the particular contact, allowing communication with the particular contact;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for traffic service content, causing generation of a traffic service content request for the traffic service content;

code for causing transmission of the traffic service content request;

code for allowing receipt of the traffic service content;

code for, after the receipt of the traffic service content, causing output of the traffic service content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for restaurant content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for restaurant content, causing output of the restaurant content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for driving directions to a restaurant, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for driving directions to the restaurant, causing generation of the driving directions to the restaurant;

code for causing output of the driving directions to the restaurant, utilizing the at least one display of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for streaming content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for streaming content, causing generation of a streaming content request for the streaming content;

code for causing transmission of the streaming content request;

code for allowing receipt of the streaming content;

code for causing output of the streaming content, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing receipt of a user request for at least one of weather or news content, utilizing the vehicular assembly;

code for, in response to the receipt of the user request for at least one of weather or news content, causing generation of a corresponding content request;

code for causing transmission of the corresponding content request;

code for allowing receipt of corresponding content;

code for, after the receipt of the corresponding content, causing conversion of the corresponding content, at least in part, to corresponding speech utilizing the at least one processor of the vehicular assembly;

code for causing output of the corresponding speech, utilizing the at least one speaker of the vehicular assembly;

code for allowing access to a plurality of different online applications including a first online application that provides access to a first one or more files associated with the first online application, a second online application that provides access to a second one or more files associated with the second online application, a third online application that provides access to a third one or more files associated with the third online application, and a fourth online application that provides access to a fourth one or more files associated with the fourth online application, in association with the vehicular assembly; and

code for;

displaying at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes;

displaying at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes;

receiving a selection of the at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes;

in response to the selection of the at least one first online application identifier associated with the first online application for access purposes, allowing access to the first online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one second online application identifier associated with the second online application for access purposes, allowing access to the second online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one third online application identifier associated with the third online application for access purposes, allowing access to the third online application;

in response to the selection of the at least one fourth online application identifier associated with the fourth online application for access purposes, allowing access to the fourth online application;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that requests for certain data and receipt of the certain data are carried out utilizing a mobile device/vehicular assembly communication channel such that a separate cellular or broadband wireless channel of the mobile device is utilized to receive the certain data.