A portable wireless communications subscriber audio and/or video player
apparatus and system and method for selecting, requesting, downloading,
and playing audio and/or video data content files from an Internet-based
database server. The wireless link is preferably implemented in
accordance with the WiFi protocol, which allows connectivity to the
Internet by being in proximity with a local base station or WiFi hotspot
(i.e., publicly available local wireless access hub connected to the
Internet). The portable wireless communications subscriber audio and/or
video player apparatus and system preferably include a security means for
monitoring and blocking unauthorized use of the player apparatus and
system. The player apparatus further preferably has the capability to
communicate with other neighboring player apparatus for the purpose of
exchanging content data files, playlists and personal messages.