Abstract: A system and method for automatically, programmatically generating media item recommendations on a graphical user interface (GUI) based on a friend media item recommendation selected by a user. In the preferred embodiment, a selected media item recommendation is displayed in the GUI. Received friend media item recommendations are displayed in a list in relevance order adjacent to the selected media item. A programmatically-generated media item recommendation list is automatically generated based on relevance to the selected media item and displayed in another adjacent area to the selected media item recommendation. In this manner, a user can easily play the selected media item recommendation, and then browse the friend media item recommendations and the automatically updated programmatically-generated media item recommendations, which are both provided in their own respective adjacent areas, in order of closest relationship to the selected media item recommendation, at anytime.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling media item recommendations received by a user based on the rendering of a user's pre-established recommender playlist. The recommender playlist is a list of identifiers that identify recommenders in the user's social network and a filter rule(s) associated with each recommender included in the recommender playlist. The filter rule(s) may be a rule associated with recommender's media items of the recommender. The user is able to control which media items from the recommender's media items of the recommender will be actually received by selecting the desired filter rule(s) for each of the recommenders in the user's recommender playlist. After the user establishes the recommender playlist and the user desires to actually receive recommendations from a recommender, the user renders the recommender playlist to receive a playlist consisting of the recommender's media items as filtered using filter rule(s) established by the user in the recommender playlist.

Abstract: A media item recommendation rating system and method. A recommendation rating for media items is established and dynamically updated in response to media items being recommended to other users. A recommendation server or other device receives a report of a media item recommendation and updates a recommendation rating in response. The recommendation rating may also be updated based on how often a recommended media item is used or played. Thus, a media item's recommendation rating is affected by events relating to its recommendation, as opposed simple play-based ratings that are updated on any play action regardless of whether related to a recommendation or not. Simple play-based ratings do not distinguish between ordinary usages or plays and those resulting from recommendations. Recommendation of a media item to another user may be a better indicator of the user's likeability or popularity of a given media item, since a recommendation is an endorsement by another.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting information about a user's media collections at a central location from multiple login points and/or multiple devices owned by the user. The user establishes a user account at a central server. A client application may be downloaded to the user's device for establishing a connection to the central server. Subsequently, each time the user logs in to the central server, the central server receives a unique machine identifier (MID) for the connected and currently in-use user device. The central server receives information about the user's media collection from the user device and stores that media collection by its MID under the user's individual account. In this manner, the central server obtains and stores information about all the user's media collections owned by user devices connected and in-use and previously connected to the central server rather than only having knowledge of the media collection stored on the currently in-use user device.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer (P2P) network for providing real time media recommendations is provided. The media recommendations may be song recommendations or video recommendations. Each time a media presentation is played by a peer device, the peer device provides a recommendation identifying the media presentation to other peer devices in the P2P network. A peer device having received recommendations from the other peer devices in the P2P network then programmatically, or automatically, selects a next media presentation to play from the media presentations recently played by the other peer devices and one or more locally stored media presentations. If the selected media presentation is not stored locally by the peer device, the peer device may obtain the selected media presentation from a subscription based service enabling streaming or download of the selected media presentation, an e-commerce service enabling purchase and download of the selected media presentation, or another peer device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing previews of media files from a user's media collection to an associated portable media player are provided. In general, media files from the user's media collection are selected based on a play history of the user and optionally a user profile of the user. Once the media files are selected, previews of the media files are generated. The previews may then be transferred to the portable media player during a docking, or synchronization, process. Thereafter, the previews may be played by the portable media player and, if desired, selected by the user for transfer to the portable media player. The media files corresponding to the selected previews are then transferred to the portable media player during a subsequent synchronization process.

Abstract: A system and method for providing previews of media files from a user's media collection to an associated portable media player are provided. In general, media files from the user's media collection are selected based on a play history of the user and optionally a user profile of the user. Once the media files are selected, previews of the media files are generated. The previews may then be transferred to the portable media player during a docking, or synchronization, process. Thereafter, the previews may be played by the portable media player and, if desired, selected by the user for transfer to the portable media player. The media files corresponding to the selected previews are then transferred to the portable media player during a subsequent synchronization process.

Abstract: A system and method for providing previews, such as song and video previews, to a portable media player are provided. In general, a play history for the portable media player is generated as media files are played by the portable media player and provided to a central system hosting an e-commerce service providing media content. The play history is provided to a central system either indirectly through an associated user system or directly through a network. Based on the play history, the central system selects a number of previews for the portable media player. The previews are provided to the portable media player either indirectly through the associated user system or directly through the network. The previews may then be played on the portable media player and, if desired, selected for purchase.

Abstract: A system and method for providing previews, such as song and video previews, to a portable media player are provided. In general, a play history for the portable media player is generated as media files are played by the portable media player and provided to a central system hosting an e-commerce service providing media content. The play history is provided to a central system either indirectly through an associated user system or directly through a network. Based on the play history, the central system selects a number of previews for the portable media player. The previews are provided to the portable media player either indirectly through the associated user system or directly through the network. The previews may then be played on the portable media player and, if desired, selected for purchase.

Abstract: A system and method for providing previews of media files from a user's media collection to an associated portable media player are provided. In general, media files from the user's media collection are selected based on a play history of the user and optionally a user profile of the user. Once the media files are selected, previews of the media files are generated. The previews may then be transferred to the portable media player during a docking, or synchronization, process. Thereafter, the previews may be played by the portable media player and, if desired, selected by the user for transfer to the portable media player. The media files corresponding to the selected previews are then transferred to the portable media player during a subsequent synchronization process.

Abstract: A system and method for providing previews, such as song and video previews, to a portable media player are provided. In general, a play history for the portable media player is generated as media files are played by the portable media player and provided to a central system hosting an e-commerce service providing media content. The play history is provided to a central system either indirectly through an associated user system or directly through a network. Based on the play history, the central system selects a number of previews for the portable media player. The previews are provided to the portable media player either indirectly through the associated user system or directly through the network. The previews may then be played on the portable media player and, if desired, selected for purchase.

Abstract: A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD's, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD's and MP3 encoded CD's and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD's and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox. The user accesses a server site via a PC and the Internet. From the server site, the user obtains a list of the devices in his or her Internet Personal Audio Network (IPAN) and what songs are on those devices.

Abstract: A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD's, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD's and MP3 encoded CD's and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD's and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox. The user accesses a server site via a PC and the Internet. From the server site, the user obtains a list of the devices in his or her Internet Personal Audio Network (IPAN) and what songs are on those devices.

Abstract: A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD's, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD's and MP3 encoded CD's and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD's and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox. The user accesses a server site via a PC and the Internet. From the server site, the user obtains a list of the devices in his or her Internet Personal Audio Network (IPAN) and what songs are on those devices.

Abstract: A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD's, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD's and MP3 encoded CD's and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD's and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox. The user accesses a server site via a PC and the Internet. From the server site, the user obtains a list of the devices in his or her Internet Personal Audio Network (IPAN) and what songs are on those devices.