Mobile device with separate access to private and public information stored in the device

A tangible signal-bearing media readable by a wireless mobile device for transmitting and receiving text-based messages, the media comprising:

• means in the media for storing public records in a public contact database in the mobile device, the public records containing public contact information for persons;
• means in the media for displaying, on the request of a public user of the device, on a screen of the mobile device public contact information contained in a public record corresponding to a person selected by the public user;
• means in the media for storing private records in a private contact database in the mobile device, the private records containing private contact information for persons;
• means in the media for providing access to the private contact information to a private user after receipt of a valid privacy password by the device from the private user;
• means in the media for displaying, in response to receipt of a request from the private user, on the screen of the mobile device private contact information for a selected person from a corresponding private record.

A wireless mobile device that transmits and receives text-based messages comprising:

• memory that stores public records in a public contact database, the public records containing public contact information for persons;
• a screen that displays information to the user;
• means for accepting user inputs;
• microprocessing unit that displays, on the request of a public user of the device, on the screen public contact information contained in a public record corresponding to a person selected by the public user;
• the memory also stores private records in a private contact database, the private records containing private contact information for persons;
• the microprocessing unit, upon determining a valid privacy password was received from a private user, provides access to the private contact information to the private user;
• the microprocessing unit displaying, in response to receipt of a request from the private user, on the screen private contact information for a selected person from a corresponding private record.