Method and apparatus for remote control and updating of wireless mobile devices

1 . A wireless computing apparatus having:

a processor; and

a memory comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed are operative to:

request available updates;

receive an update catalog for available updates, wherein said updates are selected from the group consisting of discretionary updates and mandatory updates;

receive any of said mandatory updates;

install any of said mandatory updates; and

depict representations of any relevant discretionary updates in a selectable manner.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further operative to select a desired discretionary update from said depicted relevant discretionary updates; and obtain said desired discretionary update.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , further operative to install said obtained discretionary update.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said relevant discretionary updates are determined from a current state of the apparatus.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said current state comprises the currently installed software on the apparatus.

6 . A wireless computing apparatus having:

a processor; and

a memory comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed are operative to:

execute a stub application, said stub application automatically querying a remote source for a full application;

receive said current application from said remote source;

automatically install said full application; and

automatically execute said full application.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said stub application further displays a placeholder screen for said full application.

8 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said full application is installed in place of said stub application.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein subsequent executions of a stub application's execution point executes said full application.

10 . A method of updating data on a wireless mobile device, the method comprising:

requesting available updates;

receiving an update catalog for available updates, wherein said updates are selected from the group consisting of discretionary updates and mandatory updates;

receiving any mandatory updates;

installing any of said mandatory updates; and

depicting any relevant discretionary updates in a selectable manner.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising selecting a desired discretionary update from said depicted relevant discretionary updates; and

obtaining said discretionary update.

12 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising selecting a desired discretionary update from said depicted relevant discretionary updates; and

obtaining said discretionary update.

13 . A method of updating a nonfunctional stub application to a full application on a wireless mobile device, the method comprising:

executing the stub application;

the stub application automatically querying a remote source for a full application;

receiving said current application from said remote source;

automatically installing said full application; and

automatically executing said full application.

14 . A wireless computing apparatus having:

a processor; and

a memory comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed are operative to:

receive a message;

determine that the message is a ping message for the apparatus;

obtain further instructions, said instructions being directed to an action for a service selected from the group consisting of update services, backup services and mobile services; and

perform said action on the wireless computing apparatus.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein said action updates the wireless computing apparatus.

16 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein said action performs a mobile service.

17 . The apparatus claim 14 , wherein said action erases a portion of a memory of the wireless computing apparatus.

18 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein said action backs up a portion of a memory of the wireless computing apparatus.

19 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein said action is performed automatically upon receipt of said instructions.

20 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein said action is performed without notifying a user of the wireless computing apparatus.

21 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein said message is a security notice.

22 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein said security notice triggers a backup of user data on the wireless computing apparatus.

23 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein said security notice triggers an erasure of data on the wireless computing apparatus.

24 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein said security notice triggers a mobile service that locks the wireless computing apparatus.

25 . A method of remotely instructing a wireless mobile device to perform a service, comprising:

receiving a message;

determining that the message is a ping message for the wireless mobile device;

obtaining instructions, said instructions being directed to an action for a service selected from the group consisting of update services, backup services and mobile services; and

performing said action on the wireless mobile device.

26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein said action updates the wireless device.

27 . The method of claim 25 , wherein said action performs a mobile service.

28 . The method claim 25 , wherein said action erases a portion of a memory of the wireless mobile device.

29 . The method of claim 25 , wherein said action backs up a portion of a memory of the wireless mobile device.