Methods and apparatus are directed to mobile devices utilizing motion and/or position sensors for improving operating performance and/or power efficiency. In one example, a method for reducing power consumption in a mobile device includes receiving movement information, establishing movement data based on the movement information, determining if the mobile device is stationary using the movement data; and reducing the frequency of searching for a base station when the mobile device is stationary. In another example, a mobile device which reduces power consumption based upon movement data includes an RF front end, a receiver coupled to the RF front end, a data demodulator coupled to the receiver, a searcher, coupled to the RF front end and the receiver, which searches for base stations, and a processing unit coupled to the searcher, wherein the processing unit controls the searcher based upon the stationarity of the mobile device.