Portable device with intermittent communications

In a wireless communication network, in which several devices exchange Internet messages using a browser protocol, a portable device comprising:

• a network interface establishing communication with the network;
• a controller;
• a user interface receiving commands from the user and generating requests for exchanging data with remote locations;
• wherein in response to a request to access the network, generates signals on the network mimicking said browser protocol, whereby the portable device does not need a browser.

In a network in which network connection is performed involving a browser protocol, a method of accessing said network connection comprising:

• providing a first device with a user interface;
• generating access signals mimicking the browser protocol without any input from the user;
• and
• establishing a communication path with a second device through said access signals, with said second device communicating with said first device using the browser protocol, with said first device communicating without utilizing a browser for said communication.

A method for ensuring that security remains intact for transactions on a network

• said network including several devices, at least some of the devices including a module that disables one or more of the functions of the respective devices unless the module obtains a valid authentication from the network, said method comprising:
• performing a check at the server to determine whether a particular device should be authenticated;
• and
• providing authenticating to the device only if said check results in a determination that said device should be authenticated.

A method of acquiring digital media content, the method comprising:

• storing a plurality of content selections on a media storage device;
• creating a list of available subscriptions to at least one category of content;
• enabling users to select a subscription to one or more of said categories;
• electronically transmitting a specified updated playlist in accordance with each user's category selections, along with the media content files that correspond and are indicated in the updated playlist, and repeating this process periodically;
• and
• enabling users to access and render the playlist and content files on the device.