Abstract: In one embodiment, a method updates a media program streaming application. The method includes running an update application to determine when the streaming application on the computing device needs to be updated based on update information from a remote server and reviewing the update information to determine when the media program streaming application needs to be updated. When the media program streaming application needs to be updated, the method loads a set of updateable core files in a plurality of updateable core files from a core memory into an application execution memory. Then, the method sends a request for a set of remote core files to the remote server, receives the set of remote core files, and loads the set of remote core files into the application execution memory. The set of updateable core files and the set of remote core files in the application execution memory are executed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method updates a media program streaming application. The method includes running an update application to determine when the streaming application on the computing device needs to be updated based on update information from a remote server and reviewing the update information to determine when the media program streaming application needs to be updated. When the media program streaming application needs to be updated, the method loads a set of updateable core files in a plurality of updateable core files from a core memory into an application execution memory. Then, the method sends a request for a set of remote core files to the remote server, receives the set of remote core files, and loads the set of remote core files into the application execution memory. The set of updateable core files and the set of remote core files in the application execution memory are executed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method activates a first device for using a service. A second device receives, from a third device, a user identifier for a user and a unique identifier for the first device. The user identifier originates from the third device and the unique identifier originates from the first device in a representation outputted by the first device. The second device determines a user account for the service, the user account being associated with the user identifier for the user. The second device associates the unique identifier for the first device with the user account. Then, the second device communicates with the first device to activate the first device to use the service in response to receiving the user identifier and the unique identifier. The second device allows access to the service from an application running on the first device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method updates a media program streaming application for a media program streaming service. The method downloads the application, which includes a bootstrap application, through a distribution site. The bootstrap application receives a manifest from a remote server that lists remote core files. The bootstrap application determines if a core memory contains updateable core files corresponding to the remote core files. The method determines if an updateable core file is present in the core memory that matches a remote core file and loads the updateable core file from the core memory into a memory. If an updateable core file that matches the remote core file is not present in the core memory, the method requests the remote core file from the remote server and loading the received remote core file into the memory. The method then executes the core files in the memory without recompilation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method activates a first device for using a service. A second device receives, from a third device, a user identifier for a user and a unique identifier for the first device. The user identifier originates from the third device and the unique identifier originates from the first device in a representation outputted by the first device. The second device determines a user account for the service, the user account being associated with the user identifier for the user. The second device associates the unique identifier for the first device with the user account. Then, the second device communicates with the first device to activate the first device to use the service in response to receiving the user identifier and the unique identifier. The second device allows access to the service from an application running on the first device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method activates a first device for delivering media to the first device. The method captures, by a second device, an encoded representation being output by the first device. The encoded representation is output by an application upon being provided on the first device where activation of the first device via a server is necessary for configuring a media program delivery service for a user on the first device. The method then determines information encoded in the encoded representation. The information includes a unique identifier (ID) for the first device. A user identifier is determined for the user and the method automatically communicates the unique ID and the user identifier to the server associated with the media program delivery service to allow the server to activate the first device for the media delivery service using the unique ID.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes retrieving a playlist for a video stream of video content for a client. The playlist is for portions of video content for the video stream. A traffic shaping service determines a set of rules for the playlist for a set of portions in the plurality of portions where each rule is associated with a network condition. For each rule, the method performs: dynamically allocating a port and setting a network condition to apply to the port according to the rule. During playback of the video content, the traffic shaping service receives a request for a portion from the client and determines a port associated with the request for the portion. The method then sends a traffic shaped portion through the determined port where the network condition is applied to the traffic shaped portion based on the network condition being set on the port.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method activates a first device for delivering media to the first device. The method captures, by a second device, an encoded representation being output by the first device. The encoded representation is output by an application upon being provided on the first device where activation of the first device via a server is necessary for configuring a media program delivery service for a user on the first device. The method then determines information encoded in the encoded representation. The information includes a unique identifier (ID) for the first device. A user identifier is determined for the user and the method automatically communicates the unique ID and the user identifier to the server associated with the media program delivery service to allow the server to activate the first device for the media delivery service using the unique ID.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method receives a request for a video stream of video content from a client. A playlist for the video stream is retrieved. The playlist is for a plurality of portions of video content. A traffic shaping service adjusts the playlist for a set of portions in the plurality of portions according to a set of rules where adjusting allows the service to perform traffic shaping for the set of portions. The method then sends the adjusted playlist to the client. During playback of the video content at the client, the traffic shaping service receives a request for a portion in the set of portions from the client using the adjusted playlist. The method determines a rule to apply to the portion where the rule is associated with a network condition and simulates the network condition for the portion to perform the traffic shaping service.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes retrieving a playlist for a video stream of video content for a client. The playlist is for portions of video content for the video stream. A traffic shaping service determines a set of rules for the playlist for a set of portions in the plurality of portions where each rule is associated with a network condition. For each rule, the method performs: dynamically allocating a port and setting a network condition to apply to the port according to the rule. During playback of the video content, the traffic shaping service receives a request for a portion from the client and determines a port associated with the request for the portion. The method then sends a traffic shaped portion through the determined port where the network condition is applied to the traffic shaped portion based on the network condition being set on the port.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for playing a media program and providing a preview frame of the media program in response to a seek command is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of accepting a seek command in the user computer; generating a seek request from the seek command, the seek request including information identifying an arbitrarily chosen seek preview media program frame associated with the media program; retrieving the arbitrarily chosen seek preview media program frame; and rendering the received arbitrarily chosen seek preview media program frame in the playback component of the MPP.