Abstract: In some implementations, a computing system can reduce startup delays for presenting remote media items. For example, when a user requests media content from a media service, the computing system can include information about the first media item to be played in the initial startup messages to reduce the number of roundtrips needed between client and server devices to present the first media item. A media item can include an introductory asset. The introductory asset can be a portion of the full media item that can be decrypted with a local key or not encrypted at all so that a media client can receive and start presenting the introductory media asset quickly while the full media item is being processed by the media client. In some implementations, the system can remove leading silence from the media item so that the amount of delay perceived by the user is reduced.

Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can send a priming command to a media application to cause the media application to load media items and media item metadata into memory associated with the media application. The computing device can predict a media application that is likely to be invoked by a user. The computing device can launch the media application. The computing device can send the priming command to the media application to cause the media application to prepare media items for playback or presentation to the user. After the media application loads the media items, the computing device can receive metadata associated with the loaded media items and present the metadata and appropriate media application controls on a display of the computing device.

Abstract: A streaming media service can permit artists or other users to create and upload “posts” to the service. Posts can include text, references to content items in the catalog of the streaming media service, and/or non-catalog media content items that are created by the artist and uploaded as part of the post. Posts can be presented to users as they browse the catalog of the streaming media service and/or in a dedicated feed. The rendering of a post on a user device can include graphical user interface controls that allow the user to access content items referenced by or included in the post.

Abstract: This application relates to a client-server architecture that enables user accounts registered with a service to be discoverable to other users of the service. A discovery protocol includes accessing personal information data stored in an address book of a client device, obfuscating the personal information data, transmitting a request to a service to determine if the obfuscated personal information data matches any potential contacts that have registered as discoverable with the service, and comparing information related to the potential contacts with the contacts included in the address book to determine if the contacts in the address book match any of the potential contacts.

Abstract: Some implementations allow users to create and share data including playlists. Such playlists may be subscribed to by other users. Changes to such playlists, such as updates by the curator of the playlist, must be propagated to subscribers in a timely manner while efficiently utilizing resources. Some implementations allow updates to be propagated using a push notification to cause client devices to request the update (push). Alternatively, updates may be made when the client devices of the subscribers next accesses the system (pull). An aggregator system may be used to make decisions on which users to send push notifications, and which users to wait to pull updates on their own. Additionally, the aggregator may determine that certain playlist updates should be distributed using push notifications. The aggregator may determine that only certain playlist subscribers should receive push notifications regarding playlist updates.

Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. In accordance with one example, a method includes, at an electronic device with one or more processors and memory, receiving a first natural-language speech input indicative of a request for media, where the first natural-language speech input comprises a first search parameter; providing, by a digital assistant, a first media item identified based on the first search parameter. The method further includes, while providing the first media item, receiving a second natural-language speech input and determining whether the second input corresponds to a user intent of refining the request for media. The method further includes, in accordance with a determination that the second speech input corresponds to a user intent of refining the request for media: identifying, based on the first parameter and the second speech input, a second media item and providing the second media item.

Abstract: A streaming media service can permit artists or other users to create and upload “posts” to the service. Posts can include text, references to content items in the catalog of the streaming media service, and/or non-catalog media content items that are created by the artist and uploaded as part of the post. Posts can be presented to users as they browse the catalog of the streaming media service and/or in a dedicated feed. The rendering of a post on a user device can include graphical user interface controls that allow the user to access content items referenced by or included in the post.

Abstract: Improved techniques for interacting with media content so as to provide a unified experience of media content across different client devices in a client-server environment are disclosed. Media content may be displayed on first display of a first client device. Using a server computer, a status of the media content may be communicated from the first client device to a second client device. The media content may be displayed on a second display of the second client device, in accordance with the status of the media content from the first client device.

Abstract: A device implementing a system for responding to a voice request includes a processor configured to receive a voice request for content, the voice request corresponding to a first user account, the device being associated with the first user account, a second user account and a default account. The processor if further configured to determine that the content is unavailable via the first user account, and provide, in response to the determining, the content via at least one of the second user account or the default account.

Abstract: A device implementing a system for responding to a voice request includes a processor configured to receive a voice request, the device being associated with a user account, and determine, based on the voice request, a confidence score that the voice request corresponds to a voice profile associated with the user account. The processor is further configured to select, based at least in part on a content of the voice request and the confidence score, a request domain from among plural request domains for responding to the voice request, and provide for a response to the voice request based on the selected request domain.

Abstract: A device implementing a system for providing content in response to a request includes a processor configured to receive a voice request for content associated with a home environment, the voice request corresponding to a user account, and determine, based on the voice request, not to provide the content via the device. The processor is further configured to select, in response to the determining, a second device from among multiple devices associated with the home environment, wherein the selecting is based at least in part on configuration settings associated with the home environment, and provide for the second device to output the content based on a profile of the user account.

Abstract: The content items presented to a user account as part of a media station can be recorded in a content history index, which can be requested and presented to the user account. The content history can enable a user to revisit the content items included in the content history and/or provide feedback regarding the content items. The version of the content item returned to the user can be based on the client device used to request the content item. For example, a user that was presented a content item on their mobile device, can later request to revisit the content item on their PC and receive a version of the content item best suited for presentation by the PC, rather than the version presented on the mobile device.

Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can send a priming command to a media application to cause the media application to load media items and media item metadata into memory associated with the media application. The computing device can predict a media application that is likely to be invoked by a user. The computing device can launch the media application. The computing device can send the priming command to the media application to cause the media application to prepare media items for playback or presentation to the user. After the media application loads the media items, the computing device can receive metadata associated with the loaded media items and present the metadata and appropriate media application controls on a display of the computing device.

Abstract: In some implementations, a computing system can manage access to media sources associated with a user's media account. For example, the system can coordinate access to a user's media account between local and network devices such that when access to the user's media account is granted to an application on a user device, the application can access both local and network media sources associated with the user's media account. Similarly, when access to the user's media account is revoked from an application at a user device or at a network device, the application is prevented from accessing both local and network media sources associated with the user's media account.

Abstract: In some implementations, a system can be configured to manage groups of playback devices. For example, playback devices can be dynamically grouped in a variety of ways. Each playback device can store attributes that define the group to which the playback device belongs. Each playback device can send its group attributes to remote control devices and the remote control devices can determine groups of playback devices based on the group attributes. The remote control devices can then configure and present graphical user interfaces that represent the various groups of playback devices. In some implementations, a group of playback devices can be configured as a persistent group. For example, a pair of playback devices (e.g., wireless speakers) can store and send attribute data indicating that the pair of playback devices is a persistent group so that remote control devices can present and control the persistent group as a single device.

Abstract: In some implementations, a computing system can be configured so that a first user device can delegate a first user's media account credentials to second user device corresponding to a second user. For example, a playback device may be configured with the second user's media account credentials for accessing media items through a network media service. A first user may wish to play media items associated with the first user's media account credentials on the playback device. To do so, the first user device can request a device identifier for the playback device, request and obtain a delegate token for the device identifier from the media service, and provide the delegate token along with media item information to the playback device. The playback device can then use the delegate token to request the media item associated with the first user's media access account.

Abstract: A streaming media service can permit artists or other users to create and upload “posts” to the service. Posts can include text, references to content items in the catalog of the streaming media service, and/or non-catalog media content items that are created by the artist and uploaded as part of the post. Posts can be presented to users as they browse the catalog of the streaming media service and/or in a dedicated feed. The rendering of a post on a user device can include graphical user interface controls that allow the user to access content items referenced by or included in the post.

Abstract: A second user can authorize a first user to take or complete an online action by submitting one or more biometric images. For example, the second user can authorize a purchase by the first user on an online store. The second user can submit the one or more biometric images on the electronic device being used by the first user, or the second user can submit the biometric image or images remotely using another electronic device.

Abstract: A device implementing a system for in-application messaging includes a processor configured to, receive, from a server, a message and a rule, the rule specifying a condition to be satisfied prior to displaying the message in association with an application, the condition corresponding to user interaction with respect to the application. The at least one processor is further configured to store the message in local memory, and determine that user activity performed with respect to the application satisfies the condition corresponding to the user interaction. The at least one processor is further configured to, in response to the determining, retrieve the message from the local memory, and display the message in association with the application.

Abstract: A device implementing a system to provide a set of controls for remotely controlling the output of content includes at least one processor configured to determine that user interaction with respect to the device satisfies a first condition, the user interaction being associated with a second device. The at least one processor is further configured to determine that a status of output of content on the second device satisfies a second condition. The at least one processor is further configured to provide, based on determining that the first and second conditions have been satisfied, a set of controls on the device for remotely controlling the output of the content on the second device.