Devices and methods are described that utilize call idle time. In some cases, a device includes an antenna, a baseband modem connected to the antenna, including a radio frequency interface, a power subsystem, an audio, video, or text player, and a controller connected to the baseband modem, to the power subsystem and to the audio, video, or text player for programmatically operating the cell phone in an idle mode and in a normal mode, whereby in normal mode the cell phone sends and receives voice communications via the baseband modem, and in idle mode the cell phone presents pre-designated content via the audio, video, or text player. In some cases methods are described that detect that a phone conversation has been silenced or that a phone call has not been answered, and activate an idle mode in which pre-designated content is presented, and then, when the call is no longer silenced or the phone call is answered, activate a normal mode in which voice communications are enabled.