Abstract:
Users can switch between applications using contextual interface elements. These elements can include icons for applications determined to likely be accessed by the user for a current context. Information is gathered to determine the current context, then information such as patterns of historical usage are utilized to determine and rank the applications by likelihood of use. Different contexts can include different icons, and a given context can include different icons for different points in time or locations. A user can access a contextual interface element by performing a swipe motion, for example. The user can continue the motion to an area associated with an icon of interest, and perform an action such as a tap or release to cause the associated application to be launched. Such an approach enables a user to quickly and easily launch another application independent of the application currently active on the device.
Abstract:
Users can switch between applications using contextual interface elements. These elements can include icons for applications determined to likely be accessed by the user for a current context. Information is gathered to determine the current context, then information such as patterns of historical usage are utilized to determine and rank the applications by likelihood of use. Different contexts can include different icons, and a given context can include different icons for different points in time or locations. A user can access a contextual interface element by performing a swipe motion, for example. The user can continue the motion to an area associated with an icon of interest, and perform an action such as a tap or release to cause the associated application to be launched. Such an approach enables a user to quickly and easily launch another application independent of the application currently active on the device.
Abstract:
Techniques for determining positions of devices within an environment are described herein. In some instances, an environment, such as a home or office of a user, may include an array of devices, some or all of which may couple to a network or to other devices via short-range wireless connections (e.g., Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, etc.). These devices may capture an array of data for providing to a central service, which is configured to analyze the data and, based on this analysis, determine a location of the devices relative to one another. That is, the central service may analyze the data to determine relative distances and orientations between the identified devices within the environment.
Abstract:
Users can switch between applications using contextual interface elements. These elements can include icons for applications determined to likely be accessed by the user for a current context. Information is gathered to determine the current context, then information such as patterns of historical usage are utilized to determine and rank the applications by likelihood of use. Different contexts can include different icons, and a given context can include different icons for different points in time or locations. A user can access a contextual interface element by performing a swipe motion, for example. The user can continue the motion to an area associated with an icon of interest, and perform an action such as a tap or release to cause the associated application to be launched. Such an approach enables a user to quickly and easily launch another application independent of the application currently active on the device.
Abstract:
A social networking system creates and manages dynamic social circles corresponding to real world social events where multiple people join in an event. The social networking system has stored conditions that, when met, for creating, closing, and deleting a social circle, and also determines which users are part of the social circle and for what time periods. Assets, such as photos, URLs, media selections, etc. that are used by members of the social circle during the event are recorded by the social networking system and access to those assets are selectively provided to members of the social circle. A social circle might be automatically opened when users congregate. A social circle closes when the event is over. Once closed, the assets might not change but continue to be available to members until the social circle is deleted. The social networking system might be a central system or a distributed system.
Abstract:
A system and method for identifying a user of a device includes comparing audio received by a device with acoustic fingerprint information to identify a user of the device. Image data, video data and other data may also be used in the identification of the user. Once the user is identified, operation of the device may be customized based on the user. Further, once the user is identified, data can be associated with the user, for example, usage data, location data, gender data, age data, dominant hand data of the user, and other data. This data can then be used to further customize the operation of the device to the specific user.
Abstract:
Described herein are systems, devices and methods for presenting content based on the spatial relationship between a media device and a user of the media device. The media device may present content based on an angle between an eye axis of the user and a device axis of the media device.
Abstract:
Examples of when to perform a flash update to reset pixels of a display device are described. In some implementations, a pixel threshold may be determined based at least partly on a temperature associated with a display device. A counter may be modified based at least partly on a number of pixels changed by a plurality of updates sent within a predetermined period of time to the display device. A flash update of the display device may be performed based at least partly based on determining that the counter satisfies the pixel threshold.
Abstract:
A computing device can obtain usage data associated with the device. The usage data indicate how the computing device operates or how the device is used. The device can analyze the usage data to recognize usage patterns. The usage patterns can correspond to recurring actions or tasks initiated by the user using the device, such as actions or tasks initiated due to the user's habits and/or routines. Based on the usage patterns, the device can determine a task that has a sufficient likelihood of being performed using the device within a specified or determined time (e.g., 5 minutes from now, one year from now, etc.). The device can provide information (e.g., recommendations) associated with the task, and likely relevant to the user. The user can use the provided information to perform the task, thereby increasing the ease of access or efficiency associated with performing the task.
Abstract:
Users can switch between applications using contextual interface elements. These elements can include icons for applications determined to likely be accessed by the user for a current context. Information is gathered to determine the current context, then information such as patterns of historical usage are utilized to determine and rank the applications by likelihood of use. Different contexts can include different icons, and a given context can include different icons for different points in time or locations. A user can access a contextual interface element by performing a swipe motion, for example. The user can continue the motion to an area associated with an icon of interest, and perform an action such as a tap or release to cause the associated application to be launched. Such an approach enables a user to quickly and easily launch another application independent of the application currently active on the device.