PROGRAMMABLE REMOTE UNIT FOR OPERATING A COMMUNICATION DEVICE

A method and apparatus for controlling a function of a communication device by a remote unit. The method may comprise receiving a user input identifying a selected function that can be performed by the communication device, and receiving a control signal corresponding to a selected control on the remote unit. The method may further comprise associating the selected function to the control signal such that in the future, receiving the control signal from the remote unit results in the communication device performing the selected function. The device may include a cellular radio transceiver; and a short-range wireless transceiver. The communication device may include a processor configured to communicate with a remote unit and receive user input identifying a selected function, and receive a control signal from the remote unit corresponding to a selected control on the remote unit. The processor is configured to associate the selected function to the control signal, and perform the selected function when the control signal is received from the remote unit.