Abstract: Representative scene images are described. In embodiment(s), an episodes user interface can be generated to include scene images that each represent and visually distinguish a different episode in a television program series. The episodes user interface can then be communicated to a media device to be rendered for display where the scene images are viewer-selectable via the episodes user interface. A scene image can be selected to initiate a request for an episode in the television program series to be rendered for viewing at the media device.

Abstract: Content selection and output techniques are described. In an implementation, a user interface is output at a client device that provides for selection of television content via a website for output on a television. A communication is formed to be communicated to the website based on interaction with the user interface to cause the television content to be output by the television automatically and without user intervention.

Abstract: An item discovery module (IDM) is described that allows a user to find one or more desired items within a store of candidate items. In operation, the user enters a search selection, upon which the IDM determines a collection of matching items. The IDM groups the matching items into one or more buckets, each bucket including one or more items. The IDM then selects representative items for the respective buckets and presents the representative items to the user. The representative items assist the user in converging on the one or more desired items. Namely, the user may enter another search selection which targets an identified bucket, upon which the above-described procedure is repeated.

Abstract: Revenue techniques involving segmented content and advertisements are described. In an implementation, content, which has one or more advertisements embedded by a content provider, is segmented into a plurality of segments. An identification is performed to determine which of the plurality of segments are program segments. An identification is also performed to determine which of the plurality of segments are advertising segments, at least one of the advertising segments includes at least one of the advertisements. An option is provided to pay to output the program segments without output of the advertising segments.

Abstract: Still-frame content navigation techniques are described. In an implementation, content is received via a real-time broadcast. A still frame is identified for each of a plurality of segments of the content that is representative of a respective segment. A plurality of the still frames is output in a user interface. Each of the still frames is selectable to navigate to a respective one of the segments that includes the still frame.

Abstract: Signature-based advertisement scheduling techniques are described. In an implementation, a signature for each of a plurality of advertisements is computed that describes characteristics of the respective advertisements. The signatures are compared to determine similarities of the plurality of advertisements, one to another. The plurality of advertisements is then scheduled for output in conjunction with content based on the comparison.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can establish a tailored and/or personalized content channel based various aspects of a social network. The content channel can be interfaced with one or more devices, and can be configured to serve content based upon a content schedule. The content schedule can be programmed based upon selections or recommendations of a member of a user's social network. The architecture can further maintain presence information associated with a member of the social network, such as indicia of the member's current behavior or activity.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can obtain biometric data from a user as the user interacts with a device. Based upon the obtained biometric data, the architecture can determine an identity of the user and automatically apply settings associated with that particular user to the device. The settings can relate to a physical configuration of the device (or aspects, features, and/or peripherals of the device), as well as to a data set employed by the device (or components of the device). As such, a user of the device can benefit from enhanced efficiency, utility, and/or convenience.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can establish a tailored and/or personalized content channel. The content channel can be interfaced with one or more devices, and can be configured to serve particular content or types of content as well as to filter particular content or types of content. The content can be selected or filtered based upon a wide variety of factors that can be expressly specified, or in some cases intelligently inferred. In addition, the architecture can provide detailed analysis of content and summarize various content consumption habits or histories.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to a first architecture that can create an intensity map based upon intensity scores, and to a second architecture that can provide intensity scores and can request and receive the intensity map. Intensity scores can relate to an approval or a level of satisfaction of a current location of a user and can be conveniently provided, in some cases with a single keystroke (e.g., 0-9 from a conventional cell phone keypad) by, say, mobile device users. Numerous intensity scores can be received and aggregated to produce an intensity map of a given area or region. Portions of the intensity map can be provided to requesting devices, potentially filtered based upon a variety of criteria. As a result, the intensity map can provide in substantially real-time a visual indication of locations or entities that might be interesting to explore.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can monitor transactions between a content consumer and a user-interface that provides the content. The architecture can also monitor environment variables that relate to a content consumption environment. From one or both of these potential sources, the architecture can identify implicit behavior on the part of the content consumer that relates to the consumption of the content. The implicit behavior can be employed to determine or infer effects of the consumed content, which can supplement, enhance, or replace conventional explicit consumer feedback.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to architectures for providing and accessing a service that facilitates an enhanced travel experience. The architectures can determine a location of a subscribing mobile device, match a profile relating to the device with available guides for a site in proximity to the location, and transmit a notification to the device of the availability of the guide(s). The architecture can also provide incentives to third-parties for authoring guides or content for guides as well as tools and/or templates to assist in guide creation. In addition, the architecture can receive requests from the device for guides as well as facilitate the output of the guide on the subscribing device.

Abstract: Self-organizing media content is described. In embodiment(s), a self-organizing map can be applied to metadata that corresponds to television media content. A media content array of television media content choices can then be generated based on the mapped metadata where the media content array is organized to include n-dimensions that are each based on a different attribute of the metadata. The media content array can then be displayed on a user interface that facilitates dynamic traversal of the media content array for viewer selection of the television media content choices.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate an enhanced entertainment experience based upon interactivity between entertainment medium or content and a content consumer's environment. In one aspect, based upon features or condition of a content consumer's environment, entertainment content can be interactively selected or modified. In another aspect, based upon features included in the entertainment content, components or conditions extant in the environment can be interactively updated or modified.

Abstract: Drag-and-drop abstraction is described. In embodiment(s), a graphical user interface displays destinations that can be selected to receive various media content, and also displays representations of the various media content. A user can associate a representation of the media content with one or more of the destinations. A resource manager can then determine a media format of a selected destination, as well as initiate delivery of an identifier of the media content to the selected destination.

Abstract: Media content search results ranked by popularity is described. In embodiment(s), a search request for television media content can be initiated by a viewer, and television media content that is relevant to the search request can be identified. The relevant television media content can then be ranked based on a popularity rating such that the relevant television media content can be displayed in an ordered list that is ordered by popularity rankings.

Abstract: In a method for expanding upon media content information presented in a listing of a media content item in an electronic program guide, metadata of a listing of a media content item in an electronic program guide is analyzed to identify trigger information associated with the media content item. The trigger information is provided to an individualized media content information gathering engine. The individualized media content information gathering engine is utilized to perform a specialized data collection process based upon the trigger information. The specialized data collection process is for gathering expanded media content information regarding the media content item.

Abstract: In a method in a computer system for displaying on a display device a plurality of media items as selectable media tiles, a focus media item and a plurality of related media items are received. The plurality of related media items are related to the focus media item. Relatedness information pertaining to the plurality of related media items is received. The relatedness information identifies a relationship strength between at least one of the plurality of related media items and the focus media item. A spatially oriented relatedness arrangement of selectable media tiles physically positioned to indicate said relationship strength between the focus media item and the at least one of the plurality of related media items is displayed on the display device. The selectable media tiles represent the focus media item and at least one of the plurality of related media items.

Abstract: In a method in a computer system for displaying on a display device a personal catalog of media content, a plurality of media content listings is received from a plurality of network enabled media devices. The plurality of network enabled media devices has common ownership with the computer system, which comprises a network enabled media device. The plurality of media content listings and a media content listing of the computer system are used to compile a personal catalog of media content. The personal catalog of media content is displayed on the display device.

Abstract: A list navigation module (LNM) is described that allows a user to navigate among a filtered list of items, yet, in addition, also discover items within an original list items. In operation, a user inputs a search selection, which prompts the LNM to cull a filtered list of items from the original set of items. When the user enters navigation selections of a first kind, the LNM advances to only items in the filtered list. When the user enters navigation selections of a second kind, the LNM advances to items in the unfiltered original list. Further, when the user attempts to navigate past an end of the presented filtered list, the LNM advances to items in the unfiltered original list. The LNM can provide a visual indicator which conveys that one or more items in the original list of items do not appear in the filtered list of items.