Various embodiments comprise apparatuses and methods including a communications subsystem having an interface module and a protocol module with the communications subsystem being configured to be coupled to an antenna. An applications subsystem includes a software applications module and an abstraction module. The software applications module is to execute an operating system and user applications; the abstraction module is to provide an interface with the software applications module. A controller interface module is coupled to the abstraction module and the interface module and is to convert signals from the applications subsystem into signals that are executable by the communications subsystem. Additional apparatuses and methods are described.