Instant mode switch for a portable electronic device

1 . A method for a portable electronic device to operate, comprising:

determining a position of an instant mode switch when powering on the portable electronic device;

if the instant mode switch is in a first position, displaying a general menu for a user to select one of a plurality of modes for the portable electronic device;

if the instant mode switch is in a second position:

determining a preset mode for the portable electronic device;

operating the portable electronic device in the preset mode.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the portable electronic device is a portable media player, the modes of the portable media player including an audio player, an image viewer, a video player, an instant messenger, a game device, an electronic book viewer, a web-browser, and a calendar.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein if the instant mode switch is in a second position further comprises, further comprising:

determining a setting for the preset mode;

operating the preset mode in accordance with the setting.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the setting is selected from the group consisting of a play list and a playback mode.

5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein if the instant mode switch is in a first position, further comprising:

displaying an instant mode switch menu for a user to select the preset mode and the setting for the preset mode.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the portable electronic device is selected from the group consisting of a portable media player, a mobile phone, a personal data assistant, a pocket personal computer, and a digital camera.

7 . A portable electronic device, comprising:

a display;

an instant mode switch for skipping a general menu and operating the portable electronic device into a preset mode;

a nonvolatile memory storing the preset mode;

a processing unit coupled to the instant mode switch, the nonvolatile memory, and the display, wherein:

if the processing unit determines the instant mode switch is in a first position, the processing unit generates on the display the general menu for a user to select one of a plurality of modes for the portable electronic device;

if the processing unit determines the instant mode switch is in a second position:

the processing unit reads the preset mode from the nonvolatile memory;

the processing unit operates the portable electronic in the preset mode.

8 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the portable electronic device comprises a portable media player, the modes of the portable electronic device including an audio player, an image viewer, and a video player.

9 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the nonvolatile memory further stores a setting of the preset mode and the processing unit operates the preset mode according to the setting.

10 . The device of claim 7 , further comprising an input pad for navigating the menu.

11 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the portable electronic device is selected from the group consisting of a portable media player, a mobile phone, a personal data assistant, a pocket personal computer, and a digital camera.