Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to user input into a computer system, and a technology by which one or more users interact with a computer system via a combination of input modalities. When the input data of two or more input modalities are related, they are combined to interpret an intended meaning of the input. For example, speech when combined with one input gesture has one intended meaning, e.g., convert the speech to verbatim text for consumption by a program, while the exact speech when combined with a different input gesture has a different meaning, e.g., convert the speech to a command that controls the operation of that same program.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a web service that maintains a set of models used to generate plans, such as vacation plans, in which the set of models includes models that are authored by crowd contributors via the service. The models include rules, constraints and/or equations, and may be text based and declarative such that any author can edit an existing model or combination of existing models into a new model. Users can access the models to generate a plan according to user parameters, view a presentation of that plan, and interact to provide new parameters to the model and/or with objects in the plan to modify the plan and view a presentation of the modified plan.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to user input into a computer system, and a technology by which one or more users interact with a computer system via a combination of input modalities. When the input data of two or more input modalities are related, they are combined to interpret an intended meaning of the input. For example, speech when combined with one input gesture has one intended meaning, e.g., convert the speech to verbatim text for consumption by a program, while the exact speech when combined with a different input gesture has a different meaning, e.g., convert the speech to a command that controls the operation of that same program.

Abstract: A social network system (or other type of hosting system) is described herein which allows different types of applications to interact with the common resources of the system via respective application-specific channels. Through an application-specific channel, a user may obtain a filtered set of content items (e.g., posts) and notifications that pertain to a particular application with which the user is currently interacting. But the user may also obtain items and notifications that do not necessarily have an affiliation with the particular application. The social network system may maintain a single identity for each user across all application channels hosted by the system.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to user input into a computer system, and a technology by which one or more users interact with a computer system via a combination of input modalities. When the input data of two or more input modalities are related, they are combined to interpret an intended meaning of the input. For example, speech when combined with one input gesture has one intended meaning, e.g., convert the speech to verbatim text for consumption by a program, while the exact speech when combined with a different input gesture has a different meaning, e.g., convert the speech to a command that controls the operation of that same program.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to user input into a computer system, and a technology by which one or more users interact with a computer system via a combination of input modalities. When the input data of two or more input modalities are related, they are combined to interpret an intended meaning of the input. For example, speech when combined with one input gesture has one intended meaning, e.g., convert the speech to verbatim text for consumption by a program, while the exact speech when combined with a different input gesture has a different meaning, e.g., convert the speech to a command that controls the operation of that same program.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a web service that maintains a set of models used to generate plans, such as vacation plans, in which the set of models includes models that are authored by crowd contributors via the service. The models include rules, constraints and/or equations, and may be text based and declarative such that any author can edit an existing model or combination of existing models into a new model. Users can access the models to generate a plan according to user parameters, view a presentation of that plan, and interact to provide new parameters to the model and/or with objects in the plan to modify the plan and view a presentation of the modified plan.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to user input into a computer system, and a technology by which one or more users interact with a computer system via a combination of input modalities. When the input data of two or more input modalities are related, they are combined to interpret an intended meaning of the input. For example, speech when combined with one input gesture has one intended meaning, e.g., convert the speech to verbatim text for consumption by a program, while the exact speech when combined with a different input gesture has a different meaning, e.g., convert the speech to a command that controls the operation of that same program.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a web service that maintains a set of models used to generate plans, such as vacation plans, in which the set of models includes models that are authored by crowd contributors via the service. The models include rules, constraints and/or equations, and may be text based and declarative such that any author can edit an existing model or combination of existing models into a new model. Users can access the models to generate a plan according to user parameters, view a presentation of that plan, and interact to provide new parameters to the model and/or with objects in the plan to modify the plan and view a presentation of the modified plan.

Abstract: A social network system (or other type of hosting system) is described herein which allows different types of applications to interact with the common resources of the system via respective application-specific channels. Through an application-specific channel, a user may obtain a filtered set of content items (e.g., posts) and notifications that pertain to a particular application with which the user is currently interacting. But the user may also obtain items and notifications that do not necessarily have an affiliation with the particular application.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards obtaining a linear narrative synthesized from a set of objects, such as objects corresponding to a plan, and using cinematographic and other effects to convey additional information with that linear narrative when presented to a user. A user interacts with data from which the linear narrative is synthesized, such as to add transition effects between objects, change the lighting, focus, size (zoom), pan and so forth to emphasize or de-emphasize an object, and/or to highlight a relationship between objects. A user instruction may correspond to a theme (e.g., style or mood), with the effects, possibly including audio, selected based upon that theme.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards automatically synthesizing content found via one or more searches into a linear narrative such as a slideshow and/or other audiovisual presentation, for playback to a user. A model in conjunction with user input parameters may assist in obtaining the search content, comprising content objects. The model applies rules, constraints and/or equations to generate a plan comprising plan objects, and a content synthesizer processes the plan objects into the linear narrative. The user may interact to change the input parameters and/or the set of plan objects, resulting in a modified narrative being re-synthesized for playback.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a web service that maintains a set of models used to generate plans, such as vacation plans, in which the set of models includes models that are authored by crowd contributors via the service. The models include rules, constraints and/or equations, and may be text based and declarative such that any author can edit an existing model or combination of existing models into a new model. Users can access the models to generate a plan according to user parameters, view a presentation of that plan, and interact to provide new parameters to the model and/or with objects in the plan to modify the plan and view a presentation of the modified plan.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a web service or the like that assists users in generating a plan, such as a vacation plan. In one aspect, a user chooses a model that generates a plan, including by selecting content objects (e.g., found by searching) corresponding to plan objects. Selection is based upon user input, along with rules, constraints and/or equations associated with the model. A presentation mechanism produces a presentation (e.g., an audiovisual experience) from the content/plan objects, such as a linear narrative, a timeline, a schedule, a calendar, a gallery, a list, and/or a map. The plan may be annotated with annotation data. The plan may be interacted with to re-plan it, and may be saved and/or provided to another user for viewing and/or re-planning. Plan versions may be compared to see the changes made.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to a technology by which output data in the form of audio, visual, haptic, and/or other output is automatically selected and tailored by a system, including adapting in real time, to address one or more users' specific needs, context and implicit/explicit intent. State data and preference data are input into a real time adaptive output system that uses the data to select among output modalities, e.g., to change output mechanisms, add/remove output mechanisms, and/or change rendering characteristics. The output may be rendered on one or more output mechanisms to a single user or multiple users, including via a remote output mechanism.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to user input into a computer system, and a technology by which one or more users interact with a computer system via a combination of input modalities. When the input data of two or more input modalities are related, they are combined to interpret an intended meaning of the input. For example, speech when combined with one input gesture has one intended meaning, e.g., convert the speech to verbatim text for consumption by a program, while the exact speech when combined with a different input gesture has a different meaning, e.g., convert the speech to a command that controls the operation of that same program.