Abstract: A smart playlist system is described. In one example embodiment, a collector module obtains content utilization data from a plurality of client devices associated with respective plurality of viewers. A hot list generator module generates a list of popular content items based on the obtained content utilization data. A customization module generates a customized playlist for a target viewer from the plurality of viewers, based on the list of popular content items and a profile of the target viewer. The communications module communicates the customized playlist to a client device of the target viewer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and displaying a non-time bound content channel in a time-bound grid is provided. The system comprises receiving content data representing non-time bound content to be displayed in the time bound grid. The system generates the time bound grid, by creating, based on the content data, a non-time bound content channel. The non-time bound content channel displays one or more content objects representing the non-time bound content in the time bound grid. The system incorporates the non-time bound content channel with a plurality of time bound channels in the time bound grid. The system then causes display of the generated time bound grid on a viewing device of a user.

Abstract: A device for enabling content selection is configured to display a program guide that presents a plurality of icon groupings. Each icon grouping corresponds to one of a plurality of sub-categories within a category of media content. An icon in an icon grouping representing a media content item within a sub-category of the plurality of sub-categories. The device is further configured to receive a first input indicative of a selection of the icon grouping and based on the received first input, update the programming guide to present the icon grouping for selection. The updating of the program guide includes changing a manner in which the icons of the icon grouping are organized within the icon grouping. The device is further configured to perform an operation associated with the icon from the icon grouping based on a second input indicative of a selection of the icon.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, a system and method to provide gift media is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at an interactive media component, a selection of the media item and a selection of at least one recipient for the media item from a user of a client device. A purchase transaction based on the selection of the media item and the at least one recipient is processed. Delivery of the media item to the at least one recipient is triggered.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and displaying groupings of content recommendations using personas are provided. The system determines content for each of the plurality of personas. The determined content for each of the plurality of personas comprises content that shares a common genre or theme for each persona. The system populates each of the plurality of personas using the determined content for each of the plurality of personas. The system then causes display of at least some of the plurality of personas on a viewing device of a user. The at least some of the plurality of personas is selected for the user based on device data corresponding to the user, whereby the device data indicates user preferences and interactions with previous content.

Abstract: A smart playlist system is described. In one example embodiment, a collector module obtains content utilization data from a plurality of client devices associated with respective plurality of viewers. A hot list generator module generates a list of popular content items based on the obtained content utilization data. A customization module generates a customized playlist for a target viewer from the plurality of viewers, based on the list of popular content items and a profile of the target viewer. The communications module communicates the customized playlist to a client device of the target viewer.

Abstract: A device for enabling content selection is configured to display a program guide that presents a plurality of icon groupings. Each icon grouping corresponds to one of a plurality of sub-categories within a category of media content. An icon in an icon grouping representing a media content item within a sub-category of the plurality of sub-categories. The device is further configured to receive a first input indicative of a selection of the icon grouping and based on the received first input, update the programming guide to present the icon grouping for selection. The updating of the program guide includes changing a manner in which the icons of the icon grouping are organized within the icon grouping. The device is further configured to perform an operation associated with the icon from the icon grouping based on a second input indicative of a selection of the icon.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, a system and method to provide gift media is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at an interactive media component, a selection of the media item and a selection of at least one recipient for the media item from a user of a client device. A purchase transaction based on the selection of the media item and the at least one recipient is processed. Delivery of the media item to the at least one recipient is triggered.

Abstract: A machine detects a set of first control operations and, in response, causes a display screen to present a graphical interface in which a central window suggests first content by presenting a first preview and a first identifier superimposed on the first preview. The machine then detects a second control operation that indicates dismissal of the first content. In response to the second control operation, the machine causes the display screen to present a transition to an interest-improved version of the graphical interface. The transition includes sliding the first preview, the first identifier, a second preview, and a second identifier together in a shared direction and at a shared speed within the central window. The second preview and the second identifier correspond to second content. In the interest-improved version of the graphical interface, the central window suggests the second content by presenting the second preview and the second identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and displaying groupings of content recommendations using personas are provided. The system determines content for each of the plurality of personas. The determined content for each of the plurality of personas comprises content that shares a common genre or theme for each persona. The system populates each of the plurality of personas using the determined content for each of the plurality of personas. The system then causes display of at least some of the plurality of personas on a viewing device of a user. The at least some of the plurality of personas is selected for the user based on device data corresponding to the user, whereby the device data indicates user preferences and interactions with previous content.

Abstract: A community-based recommendation engine is provided. In one example embodiment, a system to provide community-based recommendation engine comprises a recommendation detector and a decision module. The recommendation detector is configured to receive, at a viewer's system, a recommendation for a content item from a contact of a viewer. The decision module may be configured to determine an action to be performed at the viewer's system, based on the recommendation and on one or more rules, accept the recommendation as an instruction to perform the action, and initiate the action at the viewer's system.

Abstract: A system for collecting data from different sources is described. In one example embodiment, the system obtains content-related data from a plurality of source computer systems, automatically identifies, based on the content-related data, content items having respective popularity values greater than a predetermined threshold value as popular content items, and automatically generates a list of popular content items based on the popular content items.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and displaying groupings of content recommendations using personas are provided. The system determines content for each of the plurality of personas. The determined content for each of the plurality of personas comprises content that shares a common genre or theme for each persona. The system populates each of the plurality of personas using the determined content for each of the plurality of personas. The system then causes display of at least some of the plurality of personas on a viewing device of a user. The at least some of the plurality of personas is selected for the user based on device data corresponding to the user, whereby the device data indicates user preferences and interactions with previous content.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating and sharing media clips are described. Consistent with some embodiments, while a selection of digital media content (e.g., a movie, television program, audio track, and so on) is being presented at a media player, a user creates one or more sets of waypoints (e.g., time markers) that define the boundaries (e.g., beginning and end) of one or more media clips. These waypoints are communicated from one media player device to another, enabling the receiving media player device to retrieve and play back the media clips from a source other than the media player device where the waypoints were generated.

Abstract: A device for enabling content selection is configured to display a program guide that presents a plurality of icon groupings. Each icon grouping corresponds to one of a plurality of sub-categories within a category of media content. An icon in an icon grouping representing a media content item within a sub-category of the plurality of sub-categories. The device is further configured to receive a first input indicative of a selection of the icon grouping and based on the received first input, update the programming guide to present the icon grouping for selection. The updating of the program guide includes changing a manner in which the icons of the icon grouping are organized within the icon grouping. The device is further configured to perform an operation associated with the icon from the icon grouping based on a second input indicative of a selection of the icon.

Abstract: A machine detects a set of first control operations and, in response, causes a display screen to present a graphical interface in which a central window suggests first content by presenting a first preview and a first identifier superimposed on the first preview. The machine then detects a second control operation that indicates dismissal of the first content. In response to the second control operation, the machine causes the display screen to present a transition to an interest-improved version of the graphical interface. The transition includes sliding the first preview, the first identifier, a second preview, and a second identifier together in a shared direction and at a shared speed within the central window. The second preview and the second identifier correspond to second content. In the interest-improved version of the graphical interface, the central window suggests the second content by presenting the second preview and the second identifier.

Abstract: A device for enabling content selection is configured to display a graphical user interface including a map and information associated with other users. The map may including identifiers of users at respective locations. The device may enable a user to navigate to a particular identifier. The device may be configured to display a window including an item of content associated with a particular identifier. The device may be configured to facilitate a video chat between one or more users.

Abstract: A device for enabling content selection is configured to display a program guide that presents a plurality of icon groupings. Each icon grouping corresponds to one of a plurality of sub-categories within a category of media content. An icon in an icon grouping representing a media content item within a sub-category of the plurality of sub-categories. The device is further configured to receive a first input indicative of a selection of the icon grouping and based on the received first input, update the programming guide to present the icon grouping for selection. The updating of the program guide includes changing a manner in which the icons of the icon grouping are organized within the icon grouping. The device is further configured to perform an operation associated with the icon from the icon grouping based on a second input indicative of a selection of the icon.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, a system and method to provide gift media is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at an interactive media component, a selection of the media item and a selection of at least one recipient for the media item from a user of a client device. A purchase transaction based on the selection of the media item and the at least one recipient is processed. Delivery of the media item to the at least one recipient is triggered.

Abstract: A device for enabling content selection is configured to display a graphical user interface including a map and information associated with other users. The map may including identifiers of users at respective locations. The device may enable a user to navigate to a particular identifier. The device may be configured to display a window including an item of content associated with a particular identifier. The device may be configured to facilitate a video chat between one or more users.