Patent ID: 8175959

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a handheld device that includes at least one processor and at least one memory device electronically coupled to the at least one processor, in which the memory device stores software that when executed by the at least one processor directs the at least one processor to: establish a connection between a live broker and a user of the handheld device in response to a selection of a button on the handheld device by the user, wherein the connection is established without requiring dialing by the user, wherein the user is authorized to execute trades via the handheld device when the handheld device is used by the user within at least a first zone, and wherein the user is not authorized to execute trades via the handheld device when the handheld device is used by the user within at least a second zone; and a financial service provider element that includes at least one processor, and at least one memory device electronically coupled to the at least one processor, in which the memory device stores software that when executed by at least one processor directs the at least one processor to: communicate financial information to the handheld device, the financial information comprising market data on at least one financial instrument; and before allowing the user to execute trades via the handheld device: determine whether a location of the handheld device is within the at least first zone or within the at least second zone; based at least in part on determining that the location of the handheld device is within the at least first zone, permit the user to execute trades via the handheld device; and based at least in part on determining that the location of the handheld device is within the at least second zone, not permit the user to execute trades via the handheld device; wherein determining whether the location of the handheld device is within the at least first zone or within the at least second zone comprises using at least one of geo-fencing, global positioning satellite technology, triangulation, a geographic map, and a sensor positioned on the handheld device.