Method and system for playback of audio content using wireless mobile device

Abstract

A music service application that can be run on a wireless mobile device enables audio data to be progressively downloaded from a remote server and also enables locally stored data to be played efficiently. Audio content that is relevant to a user is identified and downloaded to the user's mobile device, in some cases with minimal or no effort by the user. Continuous play features ensure that the user can experience an uninterrupted music experience, both in online and offline modes. Social features such as playlists and preferences of other users are leveraged, to provide users with popular music that is relevant to their interests.

1 . A method for playing audio tracks on a wireless mobile device, the method comprising: playing a first audio track on the wireless mobile device by running an application to progressively download the first audio track over a wireless communication link;
 wherein upon detecting at the wireless mobile device that the communication link fails to satisfy a connectivity condition, the application is configured to select and play a second audio track that is stored on the wireless mobile device such that the second audio track is playable when the mobile device is not connected to a wireless network, the second audio track being played without a user of the mobile device initiating the playing of the second audio track.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the failure to satisfy the connectivity condition includes a predetermined buffer underflow. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application is configured to select the second audio track by identifying at least one playlist created by a user of the mobile device that includes the first audio track, and the second audio track is in said at least one playlist. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application is configured to select the second audio track by identifying at least one playlist created by the user of the mobile device that includes an audio track by an artist associated with the first audio track, and the second audio track is in said at least one playlist. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application is configured to select the second audio track by identifying at least one playlist that includes the first audio track and that was not created by the user of the mobile device, and the second audio track is in said at least one playlist. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application is configured to select the second audio track by identifying at least one playlist that includes an audio track by an artist associated with the first audio track and that was not created by the user of the mobile device, and the second audio track is in said at least one playlist. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application is configured to select the second audio track by searching for at least one audio track stored at the mobile device that is in the same genre as the first audio track. 
     
     
         8 . A method for delivering audio tracks to a wireless mobile device,
 the method comprising:
 providing to a user of a wireless mobile device an application for receiving and playing audio content, wherein the application is capable of playing a first audio track stored on the mobile device when the mobile device is not connected to a wireless network; and 
 transmitting a second audio track from a remote server to the mobile device over a wireless connection based on a request from the user running the application; 
 wherein the application is capable of playing at least a portion of the second audio track while the second audio track is being transmitted to the mobile device and capable of switching to playing the first audio track without the user requesting playing of the first audio track if the wireless connection fails to satisfy a connectivity condition. 
   
     
     
         9 . A mobile device comprising:
 a transceiver capable of communication with a remote device over a wireless communication link;   an audio output component;   a computer processor operatively coupled to control the transceiver and the audio output component;   one or more memory components operatively coupled to the processor; and an application stored in the one or more memory components for processing and playing of digital audio, wherein when running, the application is capable of causing the processor to:   progressively download a first audio track over the communication link using the transceiver;   play at least a portion of the first audio track through the audio output component while progressively downloading the first audio track;   monitor the communication link to detect if the link fails to satisfy a connectivity condition;   upon detecting a failure to satisfy the connectivity condition, select a second audio track stored in the one or more memory components, wherein the second audio track is playable when the mobile device is not connected to a wireless network; and   play the second audio track through the audio output component without a user of the mobile device initiating the playing of the second audio track.   
     
     
         10 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein when running, the application is further capable of causing the processor to:
 upon detecting that no audio tracks are currently scheduled to be played after the first audio track, play a third audio track through the audio output component without the user of the mobile device initiating the playing of the third audio track.   
     
     
         11 . The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the application is capable of causing the processor to play the third audio track based on a search for at least one playlist created by a person who has a genre preference matching a genre associated with the first audio track and who has at least a predetermined number of followers;
 wherein the search is performed at a remote server wirelessly connected to the mobile device;   wherein the third audio track is in said at least one playlist.   
     
     
         12 . The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the application is capable of causing the processor to play the third audio track based on a search for at least one playlist that includes the first audio track and that is subscribed to by at least a predetermined number of people; wherein the search is performed at a remote server wirelessly connected to the mobile device;
 wherein the third audio track is in said at least one playlist.   
     
     
         13 . The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the application is capable of causing the processor to play the third audio track based on a search for at least one playlist that includes the first audio track and that is subscribed to by a user of the mobile device;
 wherein the search is performed at a remote server wirelessly connected to the mobile device;   wherein the third audio track is in said at least one playlist.   
     
     
         14 . The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the application is capable of causing the processor to play the third audio track based on a search for at least one playlist created by a person that is followed by a user of the mobile device;
 wherein the search is performed at a remote server wirelessly connected to the mobile device;   wherein the third audio track is in said at least one playlist.   
     
     
         15 . The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the application is capable of causing the processor to play the third audio track based on a search for at least one playlist created by an authority that is followed by a user of the mobile device;
 wherein the search is performed at a remote server wirelessly connected to the mobile device;   wherein the third audio track is in said at least one playlist.   
     
     
         16 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein the application is capable of causing the processor to select the second audio track by identifying at least one playlist created by the user of the mobile device that includes the first audio track, and the second audio track is in said at least one playlist. 
     
     
         17 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein the application is capable of causing the processor to select the second audio track by identifying at least one playlist created by the user of the mobile device that includes an audio track by an artist associated with the first audio track, and the second audio track is in said at least one playlist. 
     
     
         18 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein the application is capable of causing the processor to select the second audio track by identifying at least one playlist that includes the first audio track and that was not created by the user of the mobile device, and the second audio track is in said at least one playlist. 
     
     
         19 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein the application is capable of causing the processor to select the second audio track by identifying at least one playlist that includes an audio track by an artist associated with the first audio track and that was not created by the user of the mobile device, and the second audio track is in said at least one playlist. 
     
     
         20 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein the application is capable of causing the processor to select the second audio track by searching for at least one audio track stored at the mobile device that is in the same genre as the first audio track. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled)