Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating anticipatory distribution of applications to a network of remote hosts. A demand for each of the applications is calculated. Based on criteria within the demand and computing resources available, remote hosts are selected to receive the applications. Transmissions of the applications to the selected remote hosts are scheduled and monitored for completion according to the schedule.

Abstract: Intelligent content delivery enables content to be delivered to different devices in formats appropriate for those devices based on the capabilities of those devices. A user might access the same piece of content on two different devices, and can automatically receive a higher quality format on a device capable of playing that higher quality format. The user can purchase rights to content in any format, such that as new formats emerge or the user upgrades to devices with enhanced capabilities, the user can receive the improved formats automatically without having to repurchase the content. Further, the user can pause and resume content between devices even when those devices utilize different formats, and can access content on devices not otherwise associated with the user, receiving content in formats that are appropriate for those unknown devices even if the user has not previously accessed content in those formats.

Abstract: Intelligent content delivery enables content to be delivered to different devices in formats appropriate for those devices based on the capabilities of those devices. A user might access the same piece of content on two different devices, and can automatically receive a higher quality format on a device capable of playing that higher quality format. The user can purchase rights to content in any format, such that as new formats emerge or the user upgrades to devices with enhanced capabilities, the user can receive the improved formats automatically without having to repurchase the content. Further, the user can pause and resume content between devices even when those devices utilize different formats, and can access content on devices not otherwise associated with the user, receiving content in formats that are appropriate for those unknown devices even if the user has not previously accessed content in those formats.

Abstract: Adding interactive objects to content having a timeline at user-identified positions in the timeline. During subsequent rendering of the content, the interactive objects are presented to a user at the identified positions. The interactive objects represent an opportunity for the user to render additional content or perform a transaction. In an embodiment, compensation is generated as a result of performance of the transaction.

Abstract: A client-to-service compatibility framework is described that allows online entities to provide a single set of service offerings for client devices of multiple different brands and/or models, such as televisions, set-top-boxes, game consoles, and portable media players, for example. Generally, the client-to-service compatibility framework comprises a plurality of plug-ins or adapters that translate communications from client devices to a form compatible with the online entity's service offerings and vice versa. In this manner, online entities are able to insulate their service offerings from the changing communication needs of client devices.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering content is disclosed. A content download service initially registers client computing devices to receive content. Therefore, when the content download service receives a request from a requesting client computing device to download content to a receiving client computing device, the content or download instructions are sent to the receiving client computing device. Downloading is controlled by the content download service and a software agent installed on the receiving client computing devices when they are registered. Content request and content download occur over a computer network, such as the Internet. The content may be stored by the content download service and supplied to the receiving client computing device by the download service, or stored by a content supply service and supplied to the receiving client computing device either directly or via the content download service.

Abstract: A logically centralized system or service, such as a cloud-based content management service, enables intelligent communication between disparate devices. Such communication enables content such as applications and data to be synchronized between various devices, where the synchronization takes into account the capabilities of each device to provide versions and/or formats of that content that are appropriate for each device. A user purchasing an additional device, for example, can have various applications and other content automatically installed or copied over to the additional device, but with versions or formats that take advantage of, and are appropriate for, the capabilities of that additional device. Further, the intelligent communication via a logically centralized service can enable such devices to interact even though those devices might utilize different protocols and/or formats, and might otherwise not be able to communicate or have ever have been tested together.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments enabling users to identify themselves to a computing device and then be provided access to the entitlement locker of applications and/or data to which the user is entitled.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments enabling a saved state of an application to be stored at a central location and to be retrieved by multiple computing devices executing the application. Accordingly, saved states of applications and interfaces are also enabled to follow a user from one personal computing device to the next.

Abstract: A logically centralized system or service, such as a cloud-based content management service, enables intelligent communication between disparate devices. Such communication enables content such as applications and data to be synchronized between various devices, where the synchronization takes into account the capabilities of each device to provide versions and/or formats of that content that are appropriate for each device. A user purchasing an additional device, for example, can have various applications and other content automatically installed or copied over to the additional device, but with versions or formats that take advantage of, and are appropriate for, the capabilities of that additional device. Further, the intelligent communication via a logically centralized service can enable such devices to interact even though those devices might utilize different protocols and/or formats, and might otherwise not be able to communicate or have ever have been tested together.

Abstract: Techniques described herein provide a system and methods for adding latency to improve the perceived performance of computing devices. For instance, the techniques may calculate transaction latencies for a given session based on the time between sending requests for content receiving the requested content. The calculated latencies may be aggregated or averaged in such a way that a specific latency may be selected for improving the perceived performance. A client device may then render subsequent content based on the selected latency or a server may serve subsequent content based on the selected latency. This artificial addition of latency may enhance the user experience by creating a more consistent environment.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments that facilitate translation of application controls. An application is executed in a hosted environment that virtualizes a first input device for the application. A video signal generated by the application is encoded into a media stream, which is sent to another computing device. Input data that is generated in a second input device of the other computing device is obtained from the other computing device. A translated form of the input data is provided to the application through the first input device.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for preconfiguring a computing device remotely. A virtualized version of a computing device may be executed remotely and preconfigured by a user. The configuration of the virtualized version of the computing device may then be replicated to a physical version of the computing device. Alternatively, the physical version of the computing device may be executed remotely and preconfigured directly by the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments enabling users to identify themselves to a computing device and then be provided access to the entitlement locker of applications and/or data to which the user is entitled.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments enabling a saved state of an application to be stored at a central location and to be retrieved by multiple computing devices executing the application. Accordingly, saved states of applications and interfaces are also enabled to follow a user from one personal computing device to the next.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering content is disclosed. A content download service initially registers client computing devices to receive content. Therefore, when the content download service receives a request from a requesting client computing device to download content to a receiving client computing device, the content or download instructions are sent to the receiving client computing device. Downloading is controlled by the content download service and a software agent installed on the receiving client computing devices when they are registered. Content request and content download occur over a computer network, such as the Internet. The content may be stored by the content download service and supplied to the receiving client computing device by the download service, or stored by a content supply service and supplied to the receiving client computing device either directly or via the content download service.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments that facilitate remote emulation of computing devices. A model of a computing device and an application that is executable in the computing device are identified. The application is executed in a hosted environment. A video signal of the application is encoded into a media stream. A user interface is encoded for rendering in a client. The user interface includes a graphical representation of the model of the computing device. A screen of the graphical representation of the model of the computing device is configured to render at least a portion of the video signal from the media stream.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering content is disclosed. A content download service initially registers client computing devices to receive content. Therefore, when the content download service receives a request from a requesting client computing device to download content to a receiving client computing device, the content or download instructions are sent to the receiving client computing device. Downloading is controlled by the content download service and a software agent installed on the receiving client computing devices when they are registered. Content request and content download occur over a computer network, such as the Internet. The content may be stored by the content download service and supplied to the receiving client computing device by the download service, or stored by a content supply service and supplied to the receiving client computing device either directly or via the content download service.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for generating item recommendations based on broadcast media consumed by a user on a client device. An item recommendation application receives a quantity of media information associated with the broadcast media being consumed from the client device. The item recommendation application determines a pattern of media consumption behavior for the user based at least in part on an analysis of the user's consumption history. The item recommendation identifies other consumers of broadcast media that exhibit a substantially similar pattern of media consumption behavior. The item recommendation application then gathers items purchased by the other consumers and provides those items as the item recommendations to the requesting process.

Abstract: Intelligent content delivery enables content to be delivered to different devices in formats appropriate for those devices based on the capabilities of those devices. A user might access the same piece of content on two different devices, and can automatically receive a higher quality format on a device capable of playing that higher quality format. The user can purchase rights to content in any format, such that as new formats emerge or the user upgrades to devices with enhanced capabilities, the user can receive the improved formats automatically without having to repurchase the content. Further, the user can pause and resume content between devices even when those devices utilize different formats, and can access content on devices not otherwise associated with the user, receiving content in formats that are appropriate for those unknown devices even if the user has not previously accessed content in those formats.