Abstract: Techniques for improving access to and interactions with bots are described. In an example, a first bot, hosted on a computing system, may identify an action to be performed for a user associated with a computing device. The action may be identified based on a user interaction with the first bot, where the user interaction may be provided from the computing device. The first bot may select a second bot based on the action. The second bot may be hosted on a same or a different computing system. The first bot may determine, based on a previous user input to the first bot, a parameter value for an execution of the action and may send the parameter value to the second bot. In response, the first bot may receive a result of an execution of the action and may provide information about the result to the computing device.

Abstract: A method, at a client device associated with a first subscriber of a multiplicity of subscribers to a social network, includes presenting a social network page associated with a second subscriber of the multiplicity of subscribers to the social network, the social network page including a link to an online collaboration space associated with the second subscriber; receiving a user input activating the link, the user input made by the first subscriber of the multiplicity of subscribers; and in response to the user input activating the link, presenting the online collaboration space and adding the first subscriber as a participant to the online collaboration space.

Abstract: A method and computing system for generating a temporal timebase that temporally-associates one or more portions of a video associated with a videoconference with one or more data events defined via a viewer application. A specific portion of the video associated with the video conference is rendered, wherein the specific portion is chosen from the one or more portions. The temporal timebase is accessed to identify a specific data event, chosen from the one or more data events, that is temporally-associated with the specific portion of the video associated with the video conference. The specific data event may be rendered within the viewer application.

Abstract: A method and computing system for enabling a video conference between a plurality of video conference participants. A video feed associated with the video conference is broadcast to a plurality of viewers. A plurality of interactions are received from a plurality of submitters included within the plurality of viewers. A chosen interaction is selected from the plurality of interactions. The submitter associated with the chosen interaction is invited to join the video conference.

Abstract: A method and computing system for scheduling a multi-session video conference for a host. A plurality of discrete video conference sessions are linked to the multi-session video conference. The multi-session video conference is executed. The host is transferred between two or more of the discrete video conference sessions during the multi-session video conference.

Abstract: A method, at a client device associated with a first subscriber of a multiplicity of subscribers to a social network, includes presenting a social network page associated with a second subscriber of the multiplicity of subscribers to the social network, the social network page including a link to an online collaboration space associated with the second subscriber; receiving a user input activating the link, the user input made by the first subscriber of the multiplicity of subscribers; and in response to the user input activating the link, presenting the online collaboration space and adding the first subscriber as a participant to the online collaboration space.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure may provide techniques that enable a first user participating in a real-time communication session to choose whether to communicate with a second user that joins the real-time communication session. In one example, a method includes sending a plurality of video feeds for display at a plurality of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) of client devices coupled to a real-time communication session. The method also includes receiving a request from a first client computing device to couple to the real-time communication session, wherein a first user is associated with the first client device. The method also includes determining whether to enable communication using the real-time communication session between the first user and a second user associated with a second client device coupled to the real-time communication session.

Abstract: A computer application program executing on a computer, such as a portable computer, is selected for termination by first identifying computer application programs executing on the computer. A priority value is assigned to each of the identified computer applications. The priority value is based on multiple characteristics of the identified computer application programs. The computer application program with the smallest priority value is automatically terminated. If the computer application program with the smallest priority value is in a modal state in which it waits for a response from a user, then a default response is provided to the application prior to terminating the computer application program. The characteristics associated with the computer application programs may include average launch times, average memory usages, a class or type of application, frequencies of usage, and an amount of data stored on the computer by the computer application program.

Abstract: A computer application program executing on a computer, such as a portable computer, is selected for termination by first identifying computer application programs executing on the computer. A priority value is assigned to each of the identified computer applications. The priority value is based on multiple characteristics of the identified computer application programs. The computer application program with the smallest priority value is automatically terminated. If the computer application program with the smallest priority value is in a modal state in which it waits for a response from a user, then a default response is provided to the application prior to terminating the computer application program. The characteristics associated with the computer application programs may include average launch times, average memory usages, a class or type of application, frequencies of usage, and an amount of data stored on the computer by the computer application program.

Abstract: A system and method on a computing device that significantly reduces the average time required to locate and select a desired command of the device. A two-dimensional menu (grid) of commands is provided, in combination with improved selection techniques including simultaneous hardware button usage. Pressing and holding a menu button causes display of the command menu, with the center, default item initially selected. A directional control button may be used to change the selection, and scroll the display if more commands are available than presently displayed. When the menu invoke button is released, the currently selected item is invoked, thereby rapidly enabling selection and invocation of a command. The method and system may be enhanced with a menu locking feature to facilitate single-handed command selection.

Abstract: A user interface for a hand-held device is provided that allows users to activate the full “card” for an entry using one gesture on a button while also giving the user the ability to reach a menu of context dependent commands using a second gesture on a button. In particular, certain button inputs are recognized as context menu gestures. When these gestures are made, a context menu appears. The user is then able to select a command in the context menu that is to be performed. A user is also allowed to open context menus while only using one hand to operate and hold the device.

Abstract: A computer application program executing on a computer, such as a portable computer, is selected for termination by first identifying computer application programs executing on the computer. A priority value is assigned to each of the identified computer applications. The priority value is based on multiple characteristics of the identified computer application programs. The computer application program with the smallest priority value is automatically terminated. If the computer application program with the smallest priority value is in a modal state in which it waits for a response from a user, then a default response is provided to the application prior to terminating the computer application program. The characteristics associated with the computer application programs may include average launch times, average memory usages, a class or type of application, frequencies of usage, and an amount of data stored on the computer by the computer application program.

Abstract: A system and method that facilitates control of the power states of a mobile device's wireless radios. Radios can be collectively turned off in a straightforward, intuitive operation, and can be restored to a powered-on state in a similar manner. In addition to collective powering down and restoring, the power states of individual radios can be controlled in a selective manner. When any radio is on, a connectivity dialog provides a link for collectively turning wireless devices off. When no radios are on, the connectivity dialog provides a corresponding link to turn wireless radios on, which may be only those that were on prior to the collective shutdown. A settings user interface, such as accessible via a link on the connectivity dialog, provides on/off radio buttons and checkboxes that enable the selective control of radio power state.

Abstract: A system and method for a transport independent gaming API for mobile devices. The gaming API allows for a multi-player gaming session between mobile devices where the transport protocol between the mobile devices may be switched transparently to both the user and the game application. The gaming API is switched according to which transport protocol is determined as the optimal protocol for transmitting game data according to specified parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for enabling application program compatibility with display devices having an increased pixel density. According to one method, a call including one or more parameters is directed toward an application programming interface for performing a screen input or output function is received from an application program. In response to receiving the call, a determination is made as to whether the application program is configured for use with a display device having a lower pixel density or a display device having a higher pixel density. In response to determining that the application program is configured for use with a display device having a lower pixel density, the parameters are scaled for the higher pixel density display device and the application programming interface is called using the scaled parameters.

Abstract: A requesting computer system accesses an identifier, which is representative of services (e.g. electronic mail or news groups provided over a network) that will be consumed by consumer modules included in a consuming computer system. The identifier may be received at a configuration computer system that contains configuration information associated with the consumer modules. Receiving the identifier causes a search of the configuration information contained in the configuration computer system. As a result of the search, the configuration computer system may identify configuration information associated with the network services that will be consumed. A configuration computer system may identify configuration information associated with itself or other external services providers. The configuration computer system causes the identified configuration information to be sent to the consuming computer system.

Abstract: An operating system provides extensions through which application developers may extend the capabilities of a shell of the operating system. For example, application developers may add menu items to context menus for objects that are visible within an integrated system name space. In addition, developers may add property sheet pages for such objects. Application developers also have the option of providing per-instance icons for each instance of an object. Application developers may provide data object extension handlers for customizing data sources on a per-object class basis and may provide drop target extension handlers on a per-object class basis to customize drop target behavior. Developers may additionally provide copy-hook handlers to regulate file system operations on objects. Developers may also extend the functionality provided by the shell of the operating system by adding their own custom name spaces to the integrated system name space.

Abstract: Upgrading a non-volatile memory image such as a flash ROM is accomplished by partitioning the flash ROM into a plurality of flash ROM regions. One of the flash ROM regions is selected to receive the software upgrade, which can then be directly overwritten without having to overwrite the flash ROM image in its entirety. Through the use of an image buffer, which stores information about the ROM regions, it is possible to move ROM regions, delete ROM regions, add ROM regions, expand/contact ROM regions, update ROM regions, and enable/disable ROM regions without having to modify the entire ROM image or shadow parts of the ROM image in RAM. Additionally, security and registry information can also be logically linked to a particular region.

Abstract: A computer application program executing on a computer, such as a portable computer, is selected for termination by first identifying computer application programs executing on the computer. A priority value is assigned to each of the identified computer applications. The priority value is based on multiple characteristics of the identified computer application programs. The computer application program with the smallest priority value is automatically terminated. If the computer application program with the smallest priority value is in a modal state in which it waits for a response from a user, then a default response is provided to the application prior to terminating the computer application program. The characteristics associated with the computer application programs may include average launch times, average memory usages, a class or type of application, frequencies of usage, and an amount of data stored on the computer by the computer application program.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method and system for displaying a separate default view for a selected application on a small computing device when a new user session for the selected application is started. Each interaction with each application and a switch are monitored and time stamped. Separate current user sessions are created for each application running on a small computing device. A current user session for a selected application is determined to be over when a maximum interval of inactivity associated with the selected application is less than the amount of time since a last interaction occurred with the selected application. When a current user session is over for a selected application, a new user session for the application is started and a default view for the application is displayed.