Abstract: Embodiments provide a schema for representing data usage plans and data usage statistics. The data usage plan describes threshold values associated with network connections of computing devices of the user. A web service dynamically generates data usage statistics for the computing devices to represent data consumed by the computing devices under the data usage plan. The schema is updated with the data usage statistics and distributed to the computing devices for presentation to the user.

Abstract: Embodiments automatically adjust one or more terms of a data usage plan of a user to reduce network transfer costs for the user. Data usage statistics representing network data consumption by at least one computing device of the user are received or collected. The data usage plan is compared with the data usage statistics (e.g., to estimate any excess network transfer costs), and the data usage plan is adjusted accordingly and based on other data usage plans or adjustments that are available.

Abstract: Embodiments generate and provide connection quality data for networks based on past performance of those networks. Network experience data and corresponding device context are received from a first set of mobile devices. The received data is processed to generate the connection quality data, which is distributed to a second set of mobile devices for use in selecting a network and establishing a connection. Feedback describing performance of the selected network is received and applied to adjust the previously generated connection quality data. In some embodiments, the connection quality data represents voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call quality.

Abstract: Embodiments produce a set of instructions for connecting to a network through a network access point based on data crowdsourced from mobile computing devices. The crowdsourced data describes interactions between the mobile computing devices and the network access point when establishing a connection to the network. A cloud service analyzes the crowdsourced data to identify a set of instructions for association with the network access point. The mobile computing devices replay the set of instructions when subsequently attempting to connect to the network access point.

Abstract: Embodiments apply a set of sequenced instructions to connect to a network through a captive portal. A computing device detects a network access point and obtains the instruction set corresponding to the network access point. The instruction set is derived by a cloud service from crowdsourced data describing interactions between mobile computing devices and the network access point. Applying the instruction set includes performing actions such as navigating web pages to accept terms and conditions, provide user or device information, and more.

Abstract: Embodiments provision captive portals on network access points (NAPs). In response to a request from a NAP owner, a cloud service associates a NAP with the NAP owner and provides a control channel for configuring the NAP. The NAP owner inputs configuration settings describing the captive portal. The cloud service processes the configuration settings to generate configuration data. The cloud service transmits the configuration data to the NAP. The NAP applies the configuration data to configure the NAP. Some embodiments configure Wi-Fi hotspots with captive portals for gated access to the Internet.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to utilization of shared Wi-Fi. For instance, network access rights of a Wi-Fi network can be controlled by a mobile device of a point of contact for the Wi-Fi network. Moreover, utilization of a Wi-Fi network can be tracked and usage data indicative of historic utilization of the Wi-Fi network can be retained. Further, groups of users between whom Wi-Fi credentials are shared can be created.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to configuring an access point in a local network for operation in a community Wi-Fi network. The community Wi-Fi network includes access points in differing local networks that share respective network bandwidth capacities with member computing devices of the community Wi-Fi network. A request to join the access point to the community Wi-Fi network is transmitted from the access point to a community aggregation system. Responsive to the request, the community aggregation system transmits a firmware update to the access point. The access point installs the firmware update in memory of the access point. Moreover, responsive to installation of the firmware update, the access point can share network bandwidth capacity with the member computing devices of the community Wi-Fi network. Further, the community aggregation system supports transparent handoffs between access points in to the community Wi-Fi network.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to sharing Wi-Fi credentials based upon relationships in a computer-implemented social network. At least one server computing device of a Wi-Fi credential sharing service receives an identifier from a mobile device and credentials for a Wi-Fi network from the mobile device. The identifier identifies a user of the mobile device. Moreover, the credentials for the Wi-Fi network are desirably shared by the user. Further, contacts of the user are retrieved from the social network. The credentials for the Wi-Fi network are retained in respective accounts of the contacts of the user from the social network. Further, an account of a contact includes credentials for Wi-Fi networks shared with the contact.

Abstract: Embodiments enable prioritization and selection of network access points (NAP) by a computing device using NAP attribute values. The computing device obtains the attribute values based on a location of the computing device and/or proximate NAPs detected by the computing device. The obtained attribute values are compared to a state of the computing device (e.g., sensor values), user preferences, or other criteria to select at least one of the NAPs for connection with the computing device. In some embodiments, a user of the computing device is presented with a list of Wi-Fi access points ranked according to relevance to the computing device and/or user.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern fingerprint-based, intelligent, content pre-fetching. An example apparatus may have a memory that is configured to store content items or fingerprints derived from content items. The apparatus may include a set of logics that are configured to selectively asynchronously provide a content item or a fingerprint derived from the content item to a data store on a mobile computing device. The items are provided in response to an event other than a request for content from the mobile computing device. The apparatus may be configured to select the content item based on a proactive, crowd-sourced, predictive and adaptive method. The apparatus may provide the content item or the fingerprint to the mobile device and to other related mobile devices or users. The apparatus may consider the state (e.g., available memory, available battery, available communication channels) of the mobile device before providing content.

Abstract: A system that facilitates different levels of operating system (OS) boot so as to provide users with rapid access to certain mobile device functionalities, security, applications, etc. is provided. An OS can be loaded in phases or stages commensurate with policies, preferences, actions, context, etc. Similarly, a particular OS or group of OSs can be loaded to address a particular scenario or requirement.

Abstract: An indicator for a device may provide an indication that a threshold associated with a budget for a network resource has or will be reached. When a user requests a network operation that will consume the network resource, an amount of the network resource to be consumed by the operation is predicted, if possible. If the prior use of the network resource and the amount to be used to complete the network operation exceeds a threshold the user may be warned and given an opportunity to cancel the operation or adjust the way in which the operation will be performed. If the amount of network resource a network operation will consume is unknown, a rate of use of the network resource is determined and a time until the budget is reached is estimated.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a schema for representing data usage plans and data usage statistics. The data usage plan describes threshold values associated with network connections of computing devices of the user. A web service dynamically generates data usage statistics for the computing devices to represent data consumed by the computing devices under the data usage plan. The schema is updated with the data usage statistics and distributed to the computing devices for presentation to the user.

Abstract: An extensible framework for offloading data traffic sent to a mobile computing device over a cellular network to a wireless network comprises software plugins, a plugin host that is typically part of the mobile device operating system, and plugin interfaces through which the plugin host communicates with the plugins. A plugin is associated with one or more mobile operators. The framework can comprise one or more plugins, but typically, only one plugin is active at a time. The framework can automatically detect and connect to wireless networks associated with a mobile operator associated with an active plugin. The plugin can automatically authenticate the mobile device or a mobile device user with the mobile operator over the connected wireless network. The plugins are not allowed access to operating system functions responsible for detecting and connecting and disconnecting to a wireless network, which can improve mobile operating system stability and battery life.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for offloading control of services in a mobile device to a non-cellular wireless network, such as Wi-Fi. The described system and method allow the overall connection management to be performed by an application processor, while services are handled in a modem using Wi-Fi connectivity. The Wi-Fi subsystem can be fully driven by the modem for time critical operations allowing the application processor to be off (or in low-power mode) when it is not involved in the delivery of services. Battery power is saved by being able to substantially power down the application processor.

Abstract: In embodiments of mobile device safe driving, a mobile device can display a device lock screen on an integrated display device, and transition from the device lock screen to display a driving mode lock screen. The transition to display the driving mode lock screen occurs without receiving a PIN code entered on the device lock screen. The mobile device implements a safe driving service that is implemented to activate a safe driving mode of the mobile device, and disable features of the mobile device while the safe driving mode is activated.

Abstract: An extensible framework for offloading data traffic sent to a mobile computing device over a cellular network to a wireless network comprises software plugins, a plugin host that is typically part of the mobile device operating system, and plugin interfaces through which the plugin host communicates with the plugins. A plugin is associated with one or more mobile operators. The framework can comprise one or more plugins, but typically, only one plugin is active at a time. The framework can automatically detect and connect to wireless networks associated with a mobile operator associated with an active plugin. The plugin can automatically authenticate the mobile device or a mobile device user with the mobile operator over the connected wireless network. The plugins are not allowed access to operating system functions responsible for detecting and connecting and disconnecting to a wireless network, which can improve mobile operating system stability and battery life.

Abstract: An indicator for a device may provide an indication that a threshold associated with a budget for a network resource has or will be reached. When a user requests a network operation that will consume the network resource, an amount of the network resource to be consumed by the operation is predicted, if possible. If the prior use of the network resource and the amount to be used to complete the network operation exceeds a threshold the user may be warned and given an opportunity to cancel the operation or adjust the way in which the operation will be performed. If the amount of network resource a network operation will consume is unknown, a rate of use of the network resource is determined and a time until the budget is reached is estimated.

Abstract: Technology for use with computing devices, particularly mobile devices and wireless networks supporting federation, enabling people, devices, systems, or the like to join together in electronic federations for purposes of voting or the like. The votes in such voting situations may be weighted based on various criteria associated with the voter, the subject of the vote, and/or other criteria relevant to the voting scenario. The technology also enables users to monitor a voting scenario in real-time and tailor their own voting or decisions or the like to the scenario, even as it unfolds.