Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for gifting and personalizing a digital media item, particularly an electronic book. A system is described that includes personalizing a digital media item that is to be gifted from a first person to one or more people. The digital media item can be personalized using a segment of the digital media item that the first person associated with the second person. Depending on the second person's response, the gift can be accepted, rejected, or re-gifted. News of the second person's response can be automatically transmitted to a plurality of social networking services.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for gifting and personalizing a digital media item, particularly an electronic book. A system is described that includes personalizing a digital media item that is to be gifted from a first person to one or more people. The digital media item can be personalized using a segment of the digital media item that the first person associated with the second person. Depending on the second person's response, the gift can be accepted, rejected, or re-gifted. News of the second person's response can be automatically transmitted to a plurality of social networking services.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for gifting and personalizing a digital media item, particularly an electronic book. A system is described that includes personalizing a digital media item that is to be gifted from a first person to one or more people. The digital media item can be personalized using a segment of the digital media item that the first person associated with the second person. Depending on the second person's response, the gift can be accepted, rejected, or re-gifted. News of the second person's response can be automatically transmitted to a plurality of social networking services.

Abstract: Generic media covers can be generated for digital media items submitted by publishers without a personalized media cover. A generic media cover can be generated for a media item by hashing a unique identifier of the media item that remains consistent throughout the life cycle of the media item. Bytes of the hashed value can be translated into graphic parameters which are used to generate the generic graphic. The graphic parameters can be attached to the generic graphic, thus allowing a user to regenerate the generic graphic at a desired resolution at a later point in time. Also disclosed are techniques for ensuring that generic media covers for a bundle of media items appear substantially similar.

Abstract: A narration session between a plurality of participants can be set up to allow participants to collaboratively narrate an electronic book. Information can be transmitted to each participant so that the views of the participants remain in sync. Visual cues can also be transmitted to notify a participant of text that is to read aloud and audio snippets of read text are collected to form a narration file. Participants without access rights to the electronic book can be granted temporary rights.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for embedding an autograph into digital media, particularly an electronic book. A system is described that includes an author's device running a signing application and at least one reader's device storing a copy of the electronic book. Depending on the proximity of the reader's device to the author's device, the author's device automatically performs different autographing tasks.

Abstract: Processing an electronic publication containing content having two different scrolling directions so that the content can be presented to the user through an intelligent unidirectional scrolling function that prevents fragments of sentences from being displayed. Processing can include paginating or generating a scrollable table for portions of the electronic publication that do not match a first text direction.

Abstract: A narration session between a plurality of participants can be set up to allow participants to collaboratively narrate an electronic book. Information can be transmitted to each participant so that the views of the participants remain in sync. Visual cues can also be transmitted to notify a participant of text that is to read aloud and audio snippets of read text are collected to form a narration file. Participants without access rights to the electronic book can be granted temporary rights.

Abstract: Generic media covers can be generated for digital media items submitted by publishers without a personalized media cover. A generic media cover can be generated for a media item by hashing a unique identifier of the media item that remains consistent throughout the life cycle of the media item. Bytes of the hashed value can be translated into graphic parameters which are used to generate the generic graphic. The graphic parameters can be attached to the generic graphic, thus allowing a user to regenerate the generic graphic at a desired resolution at a later point in time. Also disclosed are techniques for ensuring that generic media covers for a bundle of media items appear substantially similar.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for gifting and personalizing a digital media item, particularly an electronic book. A system is described that includes personalizing a digital media item that is to be gifted from a first person to one or more people. The digital media item can be personalized using a segment of the digital media item that the first person associated with the second person. Depending on the second person's response, the gift can be accepted, rejected, or re-gifted. News of the second person's response can be automatically transmitted to a plurality of social networking services.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for embedding an autograph into digital media, particularly an electronic book. A system is described that includes an author's device running a signing application and at least one reader's device storing a copy of the electronic book. Depending on the proximity of the reader's device to the author's device, the author's device automatically performs different autographing tasks.

Abstract: Event-based modes of operation are supported on an electronic device. One or more event-based modes of operation may be automatically or selectively applied to the device when a new life event is detected. The device's previous mode of operation may be backed up to the device or a network location and restored after the event-based mode of operation is no longer applied. The event-based modes of operation may be used to restrict access to certain applications or functionalities on the device, enforce or restrict certain user interface or other types of settings, and add or remove or rearrange the priority of device assets. The new life events associated with event-based modes of operation may be of various types, including location-based events, environment-based events, calendar-based events, news-based events, and usage-based events.

Abstract: Aspects include using present location information for a mobile device and real-time access to sources of data about future constraints pertaining to the present location to establish the occurrence of a future event. Examples include using a present location of the mobile device to infer a vehicle location, accessing a source of data relating to parking regulations at the present location and setting a reminder for avoiding violation thereof. The mobile device can track a present position and adjust an absolute reminder time to account for travel times. The travel times can be arrived at by obtaining data concerning public transportation schedules and present locations of elements of such public transportation. Another example aspect includes correlating a user profile concerning parking requirements with a desired destination area and parking regulations pertinent to the area for guiding a user to potential parking locations.

Abstract: Event-based modes of operation are supported on an electronic device. One or more event-based modes of operation may be automatically or selectively applied to the device when a new life event is detected. The device's previous mode of operation may be backed up to the device or a network location and restored after the event-based mode of operation is no longer applied. The event-based modes of operation may be used to restrict access to certain applications or functionalities on the device, enforce or restrict certain user interface or other types of settings, and add or remove or rearrange the priority of device assets. The new life events associated with event-based modes of operation may be of various types, including location-based events, environment-based events, calendar-based events, news-based events, and usage-based events.