Method and apparatus to facilitate alternative modes of operation for a portable communication device

A portable wireless communications platform having both external voice communications functionality and other functionality, comprising:

• at least one at least logically partitioned component that enables the external voice communications functionality;
• at least one at least logically partitioned component that enables the other functionality;
• a trigger;
• a first mode of operation that enables use of both the component that enables the external voice communication functionality and the component that enables the other functionality;
• a second mode of operation that enables use of the component that enables the external voice communication functionality while precluding use of the component that enables the other functionality;
• a selector that is responsive to the trigger and that provides an output signal comprising a selection of one of at least the first and second modes of operation;
• such that when the second mode of operation is selected, the portable wireless communications platform will provide at least rudimentary communications service but will not provide at least some non-communications related functionality.