Abstract:
Certain embodiments of the present invention can facilitate a smooth listening experience, during which a user can enjoy continuous music play despite moving between settings or using a device with restricted playing capabilities. While a first player device is playing songs from an audio collection, one or more other devices can be evaluated to determine whether one should take over the play. This determination can be made by comparatively evaluating properties of the other devices, such as their power source, battery charge (if applicable), network connection, access to a song, and/or device type. When a determination is made to transfer the play between devices, a message can be sent to the new player device that indicates when to begin play and which song to play. The first player device can cease playing substantially at the same time that the new player device begins play.
Abstract:
Information items can be exchanged between user devices worn or carried by two different users in response to the devices detecting a “greeting event” in which the devices are in proximity and the users of the devices concurrently execute a greeting gesture. In response to detecting an event, each device can select zero or more information items or data objects to send to the other, with the selection being based on contextual information available to the device making the selection.
Abstract:
A mobile device can communicate with a wearable device to automatically detect when a stowed mobile device becomes unstowed and/or when a mobile device that is in use become stowed. Detection of stowing or unstowing of the mobile device can be based on comparison of data from sensors such as proximity sensors, motion sensors, and/or other environmental sensors between devices. When unstowing is detected, the mobile device can prepare itself for use based in part on context information provided by the wearable device, e.g., by activating a user interface component and/or launching an app based on the context information. When stowing is detected, the mobile device can inactivate a user interface component.
Abstract:
Embodiments can provide a portable computing device for pre-launching an application upon predicting that the application may be an application desired to be launched by a user. One or more application pre-launch criteria for an icon may be determined to have been satisfied when the icon is within a specified region of a display. Pre-launching the application can include loading the application into working memory while not presenting an interface associated with the application on the display of the portable computing device. When a selection of the icon is received, an interface associated with the application can be presented on the display of the portable computing device using the loaded application.
Abstract:
A wearable device can facilitate automatic adjustment of a volume control and/or other settings of a host device based on properties of the ambient environment. For example, when a host device generates an audible alert, a wearable device can sample the ambient sound to detect a distinct contribution corresponding to the audible alert; if the contribution is outside acceptable levels, the wearable device can notify the host device to adjust the alert volume and/or other alert characteristics. Adjustments to host-device settings can also be made based on comparing audio signals collected by the host device and the wearable device.
Abstract:
Certain embodiments of the present invention can facilitate a smooth listening experience, during which a user can enjoy continuous music play despite moving between settings or using a device with restricted playing capabilities. While a first player device is playing songs from an audio collection, one or more other devices can be evaluated to determine whether one should take over the play. This determination can be made by comparatively evaluating properties of the other devices, such as their power source, battery charge (if applicable), network connection, access to a song, and/or device type. When a determination is made to transfer the play between devices, a message can be sent to the new player device that indicates when to begin play and which song to play. The first player device can cease playing substantially at the same time that the new player device begins play.
Abstract:
Improved techniques and systems for utilizing a portable electronic device to monitor, process, present and manage data captured by a remote sensor during a physical activity session are disclosed. The portable electronic device offers a convenient user interface that can be visual and/or audio based customized to a particular application, user-friendly and/or dynamic. The portable electronic device can pertain to a personal media device and thus also provide media playback.
Abstract:
A mobile device can communicate with a wearable device to automatically detect when a stowed mobile device becomes unstowed and/or when a mobile device that is in use become stowed. Detection of stowing or unstowing of the mobile device can be based on comparison of data from sensors such as proximity sensors, motion sensors, and/or other environmental sensors between devices. When unstowing is detected, the mobile device can prepare itself for use based in part on context information provided by the wearable device, e.g., by activating a user interface component and/or launching an app based on the context information. When stowing is detected, the mobile device can inactivate a user interface component.
Abstract:
Information items can be exchanged between user devices worn or carried by two different users in response to the devices detecting a “greeting event” in which the devices are in proximity and the users of the devices concurrently execute a greeting gesture. In response to detecting an event, each device can select zero or more information items or data objects to send to the other, with the selection being based on contextual information available to the device making the selection.
Abstract:
A wearable device can facilitate automatic adjustment of a volume control and/or other settings of a host device based on properties of the ambient environment. For example, when a host device generates an audible alert, a wearable device can sample the ambient sound to detect a distinct contribution corresponding to the audible alert; if the contribution is outside acceptable levels, the wearable device can notify the host device to adjust the alert volume and/or other alert characteristics. Adjustments to host-device settings can also be made based on comparing audio signals collected by the host device and the wearable device.