Abstract: Disclosed herein is a networked media station providing a variety of features including a wireless network interface, a wired network interface, a peripheral interface, and a multimedia interface. The wireless network interface(s) allows the device to communicate to serve as a wireless base station or repeater and/or a bridge between a wireless and a wired network. The peripheral interface allows the device to communicate with a variety of peripherals, and, in conjunction with the network interface(s), allows sharing of a peripheral among multiple networked computers. The multimedia interface allows the device to be used with entertainment devices for streaming of multimedia information from a network connected computer to the entertainment device. Control of various aspects of the device is preferably controlled from a network connected computer.

Abstract: A system for use in presenting media content includes a media server configured to provide media content and a media client configured to obtain the media content from the media server and to present the media content on a device. The media client is configured to generate a first code and to transmit information to the media server. The information identifies the media client and the information indicates that the media client is available for pairing. The media server is configured to reply to the information with a second code that corresponds to the first code in order to enable pairing between the media server and the media client.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for managing a playlist on a portable media device including generating a random order of media items based on a seed, receiving an instruction to power down the portable media device, saving the seed in a storage, and powering down the portable media device.

Abstract: A method is provided to operate a computer to interoperate with a portable media player. The method includes processing signals provided from the portable media player to the computer that are indicative of whether an accessory has been connected to the portable media player, to determine whether the accessory has been connected to the portable media player. Based on a determination that the accessory has been connected to the portable media player, physiologic data of a user that was provided to the portable media player from a wireless physiologic data gathering device, is received from the portable media player, into the computer, via the accessory.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a networked media station providing a variety of features including a wireless network interface, a wired network interface, a peripheral interface, and a multimedia interface. The wireless network interface(s) allows the device to communicate to serve as a wireless base station or repeater and/or a bridge between a wireless and a wired network. The peripheral interface allows the device to communicate with a variety of peripherals, and, in conjunction with the network interface(s), allows sharing of a peripheral among multiple networked computers. The multimedia interface allows the device to be used with entertainment devices for streaming of multimedia information from a network connected computer to the entertainment device. Control of various aspects of the device is preferably controlled from a network connected computer.

Abstract: Improved techniques and apparatus for managing data between a host device (e.g., host computer) and a media device are disclosed. The data being managed can, for example, pertain to media data for media assets. The managing of the media data thus can involve transfer of media assets between the host device and the media device. In one embodiment, the transfer of media assets between a host device and a media device can be referred to as synchronization.

Abstract: In accordance with a broad aspect, a method is provided to securely configure a computing device. A configuration indication is received into the computing device, including receiving a digital signature generated based on the configuration indication. Generation of the digital signature accounts for a unique identifier nominally associated with the computing device. The received configuration indication may be verified to be authentic including processing the unique identifier, the received configuration indication and the received digital signature. The computing device may be operated or interoperated with in accordance with the received configuration indication. In one example, a service interoperates with the computing device. For example, the computing device may be a portable media player, and the service may provide media to the computing device based on a capacity indication of the configuration indication.

Abstract: Improved techniques and apparatus for managing data between a host device (e.g., host computer) and a media device are disclosed. The data being managed can, for example, pertain to media data for media assets. The managing of the media data thus can involve transfer of media assets between the host device and the media device. In one embodiment, the transfer of media assets between a host device and a media device can be referred to as synchronization.

Abstract: A method is provided to operate a computer to interoperate with a portable media player. The method includes processing signals provided from the portable media player to the computer that are indicative of whether an accessory has been connected to the portable media player, to determine whether the accessory has been connected to the portable media player. Based on a determination that the accessory has been connected to the portable media player, physiologic data of a user that was provided to the portable media player from a wireless physiologic data gathering device, is received from the portable media player, into the computer, via the accessory.

Abstract: Metadata is synchronized between a mobile device and a remote node over a first network, where the metadata specifies media content to be synchronized between the mobile device and the remote node. Subsequently a network connection is established with the remote node over a second network. The media content is bi-directionally synchronized between the mobile device and the remote node over the second network based on the metadata that was synchronized over the first network.

Abstract: In accordance with a broad aspect, a method is provided to securely configure a computing device. A configuration indication is received into the computing device, including receiving a digital signature generated based on the configuration indication. Generation of the digital signature accounts for a unique identifier nominally associated with the computing device. The received configuration indication may be verified to be authentic including processing the unique identifier, the received configuration indication and the received digital signature. The computing device may be operated or interoperated with in accordance with the received configuration indication. In one example, a service interoperates with the computing device. For example, the computing device may be a portable media player, and the service may provide media to the computing device based on a capacity indication of the configuration indication.

Abstract: Metadata is synchronized between a mobile device and a remote node over a first network, where the metadata specifies media content to be synchronized between the mobile device and the remote node. Subsequently a network connection is established with the remote node over a second network. The media content is bi-directionally synchronized between the mobile device and the remote node over the second network based on the metadata that was synchronized over the first network.

Abstract: In accordance with a broad aspect, a method is provided to securely configure a computing device. A configuration indication is received into the computing device, including receiving a digital signature generated based on the configuration indication. Generation of the digital signature accounts for a unique identifier nominally associated with the computing device. The received configuration indication may be verified to be authentic including processing the unique identifier, the received configuration indication and the received digital signature. The computing device may be operated or interoperated with in accordance with the received configuration indication. In one example, a service interoperates with the computing device. For example, the computing device may be a portable media player, and the service may provide media to the computing device based on a capacity indication of the configuration indication.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for synchronizing and transferring digital media items. One or more media items are received, from a network operating environment, at a first device. A first media database on the first device, including metadata associated with the media items, is synchronized with a second media database on a second device. The one or more media items are moved from the first device to the second device. The one or more media items are copied from the second device to the first device.

Abstract: Improved approaches for assisting a user interacting with a portable wireless communication device are disclosed. The improved approaches can provide a user interface for the portable wireless communication device that includes including a plurality of linked display screens and a plurality of physical keys.

Abstract: In accordance with a broad aspect, a method is provided to securely configure a computing device. A configuration indication is received into the computing device, including receiving a digital signature generated based on the configuration indication. Generation of the digital signature accounts for a unique identifier nominally associated with the computing device. The received configuration indication may be verified to be authentic including processing the unique identifier, the received configuration indication and the received digital signature. The computing device may be operated or interoperated with in accordance with the received configuration indication. In one example, a service interoperates with the computing device. The configuration indication and digital signature may be provided from the computing device to the service, and the service may interoperate with the computing device in accordance with the configuration indication and the digital signature.

Abstract: In accordance with a broad aspect, a method is provided to securely configure a computing device. A configuration indication is received into the computing device, including receiving a digital signature generated based on the configuration indication. Generation of the digital signature accounts for a unique identifier nominally associated with the computing device. The received configuration indication is verified to be authentic including processing the unique identifier, the received configuration indication and the received digital signature. The computing device is operated or interoperated with in accordance with the received configuration indication. In one example, a service interoperates with the computing device. For example, the computing device may be a portable media player, and the service may provide media to the computing device based on a capacity indication of the configuration indication.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for managing a playlist on a portable media device including generating a random order of media items based on a seed, receiving an instruction to power down the portable media device, saving the seed in a storage, and powering down the portable media device.

Abstract: Improved approaches for submission, management and/or distribution of updates to digital products, such as application programs (software programs), with respect to an online product distribution site are disclosed. Updates to numerous digital products can be centrally managed in a uniform and computer-assisted manner so that updates can be efficiently distributed to appropriate users.

Abstract: Improved methods, systems, computer readable media and graphical user interfaces for presenting digital media assets in a consistent and/or unified manner regardless of whether the digital media assets are located locally or remotely. Users are thus provided with information on those digital media assets that are available to users regardless of whether the digital media assets are located locally or remotely. As digital media assets become available or unavailable, presentations of the digital media assets can be automatically updated. For example, a presentation of digital media assets available to a media device for playback can be dynamically updated.