Abstract: A cloud-based computer system changes the modern paradigm from being device-centric to being person-centric. The system makes all user data, software settings, device settings, and licensed content for a user available in the cloud. The system includes a conversion mechanism that can convert information intended for one device type to a different device type. Thus, a user changing smart phone platforms can convert their current smart phone settings to equivalent settings on the new phone platform, and their new phone can then be configured using the user's converted settings stored in the cloud. By storing all the user's relevant information in the cloud, this information may be accessed anywhere and may be used to configure a large number of different devices according to the user's settings.

Abstract: A universal remote control allows dynamically programming the remote control according to location. The remote control includes a communication interface that allows the remote control to communicate with a remote database. A location is specified, and the remote control uses the location information to access corresponding programming information for the remote control. The remote control is then dynamically reprogrammed according to the location information to make the remote control suitable to the location.

Abstract: A cloud-based computer system changes the modern paradigm from being device-centric to being person-centric. The system makes all user data, software settings, device settings, and licensed content for a user available in the cloud. The system includes a conversion mechanism that can convert information intended for one device type to a different device type. Thus, a user changing smart phone platforms can convert their current smart phone settings to equivalent settings on the new phone platform, and their new phone can then be configured using the user's converted settings stored in the cloud. By storing all the user's relevant information in the cloud, this information may be accessed anywhere and may be used to configure a large number of different devices according to the user's settings.

Abstract: A computer system includes a photo processing mechanism that allows cataloging and storing a user's photos using relationships between people that allow the user's photos to be retrieved using a search engine. A user enters people and specifies relationships, and may also enter locations, events, and other information. Photos are then processed, and indexing info is generated for each photo that may include any or all of the following: user-defined relationships, system-derived relationships, user-defined locations, system-defined locations, user-defined events, and system-derived events and ages for the people in the photos. The indexing info may be stored as metadata with the photo or may be stored separately from the photo. The indexing info allows photos to be retrieved using a powerful search engine.

Abstract: A cloud-based computer system changes the modern paradigm from being device-centric to being person-centric. The system makes all user data, settings, and licensed content for a user available in the cloud. The user's information may be made available in a vehicle. The system includes a conversion mechanism that can convert information intended for one device type to a different device type. Thus, a user driving a Chevrolet can store the settings for the Chevrolet, which can then be converted to equivalent settings for any other vehicle, including vehicles from different manufacturers.

Abstract: A cloud-based computer system changes the modern paradigm from being device-centric to being person-centric. The system makes all user data, settings, and licensed content for a user available in the cloud. This allows transferring user settings from a first device to a second device that is of the same type. A conversion mechanism also allows converting user settings for a first device to corresponding user settings for a second device that is of a different type. In addition to transferring user settings from the cloud, the user settings for the first device can be transferred to an external memory device, which may then be removed and connected to a second device, which can then use the user settings on the external memory device to program the second device.

Abstract: A universal remote control allows dynamically programming the remote control according to location. The remote control includes a communication interface that allows the remote control to communicate with a remote database. A location is specified, and the remote control uses the location information to access corresponding programming information for the remote control. The remote control is then dynamically reprogrammed according to the location information to make the remote control suitable to the location.

Abstract: A cloud-based computer system changes the modern paradigm from being device-centric to being person-centric. The system makes all user data, software settings, device settings, and licensed content for a user available in the cloud. The system includes a conversion mechanism that can convert information intended for one device type to a different device type. Thus, a user changing smart phone platforms can convert their current smart phone settings to equivalent settings on the new phone platform, and their new phone can then be configured using the user's converted settings stored in the cloud. By storing all the user's relevant information in the cloud, this information may be accessed anywhere and may be used to configure a large number of different devices according to the user's settings.