Abstract: Particular embodiments provide interaction between items in a network. For example, lists of content may be shared between items connected through a network. A user may use a first item to select a second item in which content should be outputted. Instead of sending the content to the second item, the first item may generate and send a list of content to the second item. A messaging infrastructure is used to allow the items to communicate the list of content between each other. The second item can then process the list and then determine how to access the item. This allows two different items to share content without the transfer of content between them. In another example, an item may be used to interact with a user interface of a second item. For example, an input device on a first item is used to provide input to a second item.

Abstract: Particular embodiments provide interaction between items in a network. For example, lists of content may be shared between items connected through a network. A user may use a first item to select a second item in which content should be outputted. Instead of sending the content to the second item, the first item may generate and send a list of content to the second item instead of the content. A messaging infrastructure is used to allow the items to communicate the list of content between each other. The second item can then process the list and then determine how to access the item. This allows two different items to share content without the transfer of content between them. In another example, an item may be used to interact with a user interface of a second item. For example, an input device on a first item is used to provide input to a second item.

Abstract: Particular embodiments generally relate to automatically controlling an item. For example, items may include electronic devices, such as televisions, lights, etc, and/or virtual devices, such as applications, etc. In one embodiment, items may be configured using metatags. When a device is connected for operation, one or more metatags for the device are received. A metatag be used to classify the device. For example, the metatag may indicate uses, locations, connections, etc. The use of device (e.g., pathway, reading, etc.) classifies the item in way it can be used. For example, a user may use a pathway light in different ways, such as the user may turn on all lights with the pathway metatag at night. The location indicates the location of the item, such as in the living room, bedroom, etc. The connections indications a type of item, such as a bedroom light, lamp, TV, etc.

Abstract: Particular embodiments generally relate to automatically controlling an item. For example, items may include electronic devices, such as televisions, lights, etc, and/or virtual devices, such as applications, etc. In one embodiment, items may be configured using metatags. When a device is connected for operation, one or more metatags for the device are received. A metatag be used to classify the device. For example, the metatag may indicate uses, locations, connections, etc. The use of device (e.g., pathway, reading, etc.) classifies the item in way it can be used. For example, a user may use a pathway light in different ways, such as the user may turn on all lights with the pathway metatag at night. The location indicates the location of the item, such as in the living room, bedroom, etc. The connections indications a type of item, such as a bedroom light, lamp, TV, etc.

Abstract: Particular embodiments generally relate to automatically controlling an item. For example, items may include electronic devices, such as televisions, lights, etc, and/or virtual devices, such as applications, etc. In one embodiment, items may be configured using metatags. When a device is connected for operation, one or more metatags for the device are received. A metatag be used to classify the device. For example, the metatag may indicate uses, locations, connections, etc. The use of device (e.g., pathway, reading, etc.) classifies the item in way it can be used. For example, a user may use a pathway light in different ways, such as the user may turn on all lights with the pathway metatag at night. The location indicates the location of the item, such as in the living room, bedroom, etc. The connections indications a type of item, such as a bedroom light, lamp, TV, etc.

Abstract: Particular embodiments provide interaction between items in a network. For example, lists of content may be shared between items connected through a network. A user may use a first item to select a second item in which content should be outputted. Instead of sending the content to the second item, the first item may generate and send a list of content to the second item instead of the content. A messaging infrastructure is used to allow the items to communicate the list of content between each other. The second item can then process the list and then determine how to access the item. This allows two different items to share content without the transfer of content between them. In another example, an item may be used to interact with a user interface of a second item. For example, an input device on a first item is used to provide input to a second item.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a focus on an focus item associated with a controllable item is determined. For example, the focus may be moving a pointer over an focus item displayed on a display. One or more functional actions for the controllable item are then determined based on the focus being on the focus item. For example, if the controllable item is a camera and the focus is on an icon for the camera, then one or more functional actions for the camera are determined. The one or more functional actions are then assigned to one or more inputs on a input device. The input device can now be used to perform the one or more functional actions by using the one or more inputs. For example, the user may select one of the inputs, which sends signals to a processing device. The processing device can then determine the functional action assigned to the input and cause the action to be performed with the controllable item.

Abstract: Particular embodiments generally relate to automatically controlling an item. For example, items may include electronic devices, such as televisions, lights, etc, and/or virtual devices, such as applications, etc. In one embodiment, items may be configured using metatags. When a device is connected for operation, one or more metatags for the device are received. A metatag be used to classify the device. For example, the metatag may indicate uses, locations, connections, etc. The use of device (e.g., pathway, reading, etc.) classifies the item in way it can be used. For example, a user may use a pathway light in different ways, such as the user may turn on all lights with the pathway metatag at night. The location indicates the location of the item, such as in the living room, bedroom, etc. The connections indications a type of item, such as a bedroom light, lamp, TV, etc.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a focus on an focus item associated with a controllable item is determined. For example, the focus may be moving a pointer over an focus item displayed on a display. One or more functional actions for the controllable item are then determined based on the focus being on the focus item. For example, if the controllable item is a camera and the focus is on an icon for the camera, then one or more functional actions for the camera are determined. The one or more functional actions are then assigned to one or more inputs on a input device. The input device can now be used to perform the one or more functional actions by using the one or more inputs. For example, the user may select one of the inputs, which sends signals to a processing device. The processing device can then determine the functional action assigned to the input and cause the action to be performed with the controllable item.