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: 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: The embodiments set forth a technique for enabling a computing device to securely configure a peripheral computing device. According to some embodiments, the method can include the steps of (1) approving a request received from the peripheral computing device to engage in a setup procedure for the peripheral computing device, (2) receiving, from the peripheral computing device: (i) an audio signal that encodes a password and timing information, and (ii) a light signal. Additionally, the method can involve, in response to identifying that the timing information correlates with the light signal: (3) extracting the password from the audio signal, and (4) establishing a communication link with the peripheral computing device based on the password. In turn, the method can involve (5) providing configuration information to the peripheral computing device over the communication link.

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 generate graphs for managing media item collections. For example, the graph can include nodes representing individual media items in a media item collection. Each node can include attributes that define whether the corresponding media item should be played. Each node can include attributes that define one or more next nodes to be played. The next nodes can be ordered consistently across computing devices according to various criteria, (e.g., time when the next node was added to the graph and/or user identifier) so that changes to the graph across devices can be made in a consistent, conflict avoiding manner. The playback sequence for media items represented by the graph can be determined by traversing the nodes in the graph and including or excluding media items from the playback sequence according to the attributes of the corresponding nodes.

Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can transfer a playback queue between the computing device and a playback device. For example, the computing device can detect when the computing device is within a threshold distance of a playback device. The computing device can establish a connection to the playback device and receive state information describing the media playback state of the playback device. The computing device can determine the media playback state of the computing device. The computing device can present graphical user interfaces for initiating a transfer of a playback queue between the computing device and the playback device based on the playback state of the devices. The computing device can initiate a transfer of the playback queue in response to user input to one of the graphical user interfaces or automatically based on the context of the computing 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: Improved techniques and systems for storage, delivery and acquisition of digital assets stored in cloud data storage. Cloud data storage can be provided by a cloud data repository that is capable of storing digital data for various users. A given user can access cloud data storage from any of his/her authorized client devices via a network. A given client device can access not only locally stored digital assets but also remotely stored digital assets from cloud data storage. In one embodiment, downloads of digital assets resident in cloud data storage to client devices can be managed in view of available network performance. As one example, digital assets of differing quality levels can be downloaded in a manner dependent on network performance. As another example, locally stored digital assets of reduced quality can be upgraded (e.g., replaced) by higher quality versions in a manner dependent on network performance.

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: 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: Improved techniques and systems for delivery and acquisition of digital assets are disclosed. The techniques and systems are especially suitable and useful for delivering digital assets (e.g., media assets) that are available for acquisition and electronic delivery from online stores to electronic devices. In accordance with one aspect, when a digital asset is acquired form an online store via an electronic device associated with a user, the digital asset can be arranged for delivery to a number of other of electronic devices also associated with the user. It will be appreciated that the digital asset can be delivered and acquired without requiring explicit user input or instruction in accordance with another aspect. Other aspects of the techniques and systems include customization of configuration and user interfaces that are provided to facilitate acquisition of digital assets in a more efficient manner.

Abstract: Pairing a portable electronic device with a media device that is playing media, providing control to the portable device, displaying information about the media being played on the portable electronic device, and providing a link to the media asset in an online store. Discovering that a media device that is currently publically playing media, receiving a media signal encoded with metadata describing the media being played, and displaying an accrued history of various instances of media items that have been overheard during a public play session as a list of media items associated with metadata describing the media items.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to identify at least a first portion and a second portion of resources to restore to a device are described. The first portion of the resources may be restored atomically to the device before the second portion of the resources. The device may not respond to at least one user input during the restoration of the first portion of the resources. If the restoring of the first portion is successful, the second portion of the resources may be restored. The device may respond to the user input during the restoring of the second portion of the resources.

Abstract: Improved techniques and systems for storage, delivery and acquisition of digital assets stored in cloud data storage. Cloud data storage can be provided by a cloud data repository that is capable of storing digital data for various users. A given user can access cloud data storage from any of his/her authorized client devices via a network. A given client device can access not only locally stored digital assets but also remotely stored digital assets from cloud data storage. In one embodiment, downloads of digital assets resident in cloud data storage to client devices can be managed in view of available network performance. As one example, digital assets of differing quality levels can be downloaded in a manner dependent on network performance. As another example, locally stored digital assets of reduced quality can be upgraded (e.g., replaced) by higher quality versions in a manner dependent on network performance.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for targeting segments of customers. A system maps users to targeting segments based on a respective purchase history of the users, and receives a segment identifier from a server, the segment identifier to be associated with a targeting segment from the targeting segments for anonymously identifying the targeting segment. Next, the system associates the segment identifier with the targeting segment and users mapped to the targeting segment, and sends, to the server, the segment identifier and unique user identifiers of the users mapped to the targeting segment associated with the segment identifier, the unique user identifiers masking respective identities of the users from the server and the segment identifier masking an identity of the targeting segment associated with the segment identifier. The system then instructs the server to deliver selected invitational content to at least one unique user identifier associated with the segment identifier.

Abstract: Server-side authentication of user accounts by using multiple authentication tokens and transmission of update statement to users for updates to applications installed on their devices. Prompting users that updates are available upon determining that a threshold event has occurred and if requisite network and situational conditions exist. Batching and sending notifications or requests for authentications that are required for each application update that is currently ready for download.

Abstract: The present technology pertains to automatically providing refreshed versions of personalized playlists of media items based on a refresh schedule. The automatically refreshed personalized playlists can be automatically downloaded to a client device associated with the user account. In some embodiments an animation can be presented to show that a playlist was automatically refreshed. The automatically refreshed personalized playlist can be created based on an assumption that playlists are a collection of media items that go well together in a collection.

Abstract: The present technology is for optimizing storage on a computing device. A media application on the computing device can allocate a minimum amount of storage on the computing device. The media application can further be configured to automatically download and store media items added to a media library of an account associated with the computing device. The combination of these features can put strain on computing devices with limited amounts of storage. Accordingly, the present technology can automatically delete media items in cache to allow media items to be automatically downloaded, or allow other uses of storage by other applications on the computing device, while also preserving the minimum amount of storage of media items on the computing device.

Abstract: Improved techniques and systems for delivery and acquisition of digital assets are disclosed. The techniques and systems are especially suitable and useful for delivering digital assets (e.g., media assets) that are available for acquisition and electronic delivery from online stores to electronic devices. In accordance with one aspect, when a digital asset is acquired form an online store via an electronic device associated with a user, the digital asset can be arranged for delivery to a number of other of electronic devices also associated with the user. It will be appreciated that the digital asset can be delivered and acquired without requiring explicit user input or instruction in accordance with another aspect. Other aspects of the techniques and systems include customization of configuration and user interfaces that are provided to facilitate acquisition of digital assets in a more efficient manner.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for invitational content geofencing. A system first sends, to a server location data associated with the system, the location data being calculated at the system. The system then receives a listing of places of interest within a geofence including a geographical perimeter for identifying places of interest in the listing, the geofence being based on the location data associated with the system. Next, the system selects a place of interest from the listing based on a location of the system. The system then presents a content item associated with the place of interest.