Abstract: Methods and devices for distributing and receiving content are provided. In one example aspect, a method comprises: receiving a command on a first electronic device to output content at an output device associated with a second electronic device; and in response to receiving the command to output content at the output device associated with the second electronic device: providing content access information from the first electronic device to the second electronic device, and adjusting a security state on the second electronic device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction confirmation are described. One example method includes emulating a payment method using a close-proximity communication device of a mobile device, establishing a close-proximity communication link using the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device, transferring payment information from the mobile device using the close-proximity communication device, switching the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device to an information receiving communication mode, and receiving a transaction confirmation at the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device. Other implementations are possible.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a query gesture and actuating, in response to the query gesture, an actuator to provide tactile feedback including information associated with the query gesture. The query gesture may be detected on a touch-sensitive display of a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a query gesture and actuating, in response to the query gesture, an actuator to provide tactile feedback including information associated with the query gesture. The query gesture may be detected on a touch-sensitive display of a portable electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of transmitting location data based on wireless communication activity can include a location transmitting device having a sensor communicatively coupled to a low-power transmitter. The transmitter (e.g., a Bluetooth™ transmitter) can transmit location data from which an electronic device can derive its location. The sensor can be a sensor configured to detect wireless data transmissions (e.g., cellular data transmissions). In one example, the transmitter can transmit location data in response to the sensor detecting data transmissions of an electronic device. The transmitter can remain in an idle, standby, or otherwise low-power state until the sensor detects data transmissions of an electronic device. In response, the transmitter can transmit data which can be received by the electronic device. The electronic device can then derive the electronic device's location from the data transmitted by the transmitter.

Abstract: A communication system may include a transaction terminal configured to perform a transaction based upon receiving account information, a first NFC device(s), and a mobile wireless communication device. The mobile device may include a second NFC device configured to communicate with the first NFC device(s) upon being swiped therewith, a memory configured to store account information associated with different accounts and store respective account swipe patterns for the different accounts, where each account swipe pattern comprising at least one of a set time or a set number of swipes, and a controller. The controller may be configured to detect a swipe pattern, determine whether the detected swipe pattern corresponds to one of the plurality of stored account swipe patterns, determine a respective account based upon the determined corresponding stored account swipe pattern, and communicate the associated account information for the determined respective account to the transaction terminal.

Abstract: Methods and devices for distributing and receiving content are provided. In one example aspect, a method comprises: receiving a command on a first electronic device to output content at an output device associated with a second electronic device; and in response to receiving the command to output content at the output device associated with the second electronic device: providing content access information from the first electronic device to the second electronic device, and adjusting a security state on the second electronic device.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a query gesture and actuating, in response to the query gesture, an actuator to provide tactile feedback including information associated with the query gesture. The query gesture may be detected on a touch-sensitive display of a portable electronic device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for distributing and receiving content are provided. In one example aspect, a method comprises: receiving a command on a first electronic device to output content at an output device associated with a second electronic device; and in response to receiving the command to output content at the output device associated with the second electronic device: providing content access information from the first electronic device to the second electronic device, and adjusting a security state on the second electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling a primary device to track a secondary device. The method comprises determining a frequency at which a marker is being displayed with media content on the secondary device; capturing images using the primary device at the frequency at which the marker is being displayed; and providing an output on the primary device while the marker is being displayed.

Abstract: A communications system may include a plurality of electronic devices each configured to wirelessly communicate via an NFC format and another wireless communications format(s). A first electronic device may have an NFC transfer parameter associated therewith, and may be configured to establish an NFC link with a second electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices when in proximity therewith, designate data to be transferred to the second electronic device, and determine whether the designated data complies with the NFC transfer parameter. Based on a determination that the designated data complies with the NFC transfer parameter, the first electronic device may be configured to transfer at least some of the designated data via the NFC link, and otherwise transfer at least some of the designated data to the second electronic device over a separate wireless communications link using the at least one other wireless communications format.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction confirmation are described. One example method includes emulating a payment method using a close-proximity communication device of a mobile device, establishing a close-proximity communication link using the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device, transferring payment information from the mobile device using the close-proximity communication device, switching the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device to an information receiving communication mode, and receiving a transaction confirmation at the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device. Other implementations are possible.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring control of media playback between electronic devices. Playback of media content is initiating at a source device and peer-to-peer device pairing is established with a destination device. Media content from the source device is streamed to the destination device and a determination of whether to transfer media playback control to the destination device is made based on characteristics of the media content. The control of media playback may be transferred to the destination device based on the destination device having a local copy of the streaming media content, a playlist with similar characteristics to the streaming media content, a local media content having similar characteristics to the streaming media content, or a local playlist similar to the playlist from the source device. The peer-to-peer device pairing is terminated when media playback control is transferred, thereby preserving battery and processing power to the source device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction confirmation are described. One example method includes emulating a payment method using a close-proximity communication device of a mobile device, establishing a close-proximity communication link using the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device, transferring payment information from the mobile device using the close-proximity communication device, switching the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device to an information receiving communication mode, and receiving a transaction confirmation at the close-proximity communication device of the mobile device. Other implementations are possible.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction confirmation are described.

Abstract: Methods and devices for distributing and receiving content are provided. In one example aspect, a method comprises: receiving a command on a first electronic device to output content at an output device associated with a second electronic device; and in response to receiving the command to output content at the output device associated with the second electronic device: providing content access information from the first electronic device to the second electronic device, and adjusting a security state on the second electronic device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an input string from a virtual keyboard, generating at least one string based on the input string, where the input string is not a substring of the generated string, responsive to a determination that the generated string was previously generated based on the input string, selecting a candidate character associated with the input string and with the generated string, and displaying the generated string at a location on the virtual keyboard that is associated with the selected candidate character.

Abstract: A mobile device may include a display, an optical sensor having a field of view, a movement sensor, a first near-field communication (NFC) device, and a controller. The controller may be configured to display the field of view of the optical sensor on the display, locate a second NFC device within the field of view, and display a direction indicator(s) on the display to indicate a guide direction of movement to align the first NFC device with the second NFC device. When the second NFC device falls outside the field of view, the controller may be configured to display the guide direction indicator(s) on the display to relocate the second NFC device within the field of view based upon the movement sensor. The controller may also be configured to cause the first NFC device to communicate with the second NFC device based upon proximity to the second NFC device.

Abstract: A method for providing a reminder from within an instant messaging application executing on a computing device, the method comprising receiving textual input from within the instant messaging application. In response to receiving the textual input, a reminder-triggering condition is determined based on a predetermined symbol within the textual input. An instant message is sent that includes the reminder-triggering condition for the reminder.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a query gesture and actuating, in response to the query gesture, an actuator to provide tactile feedback including information associated with the query gesture. The query gesture may be detected on a touch-sensitive display of a portable electronic device.