Abstract: The disclosed technique secures a seed phrase configured to access a digital wallet, which holds private keys to access digital assets on a blockchain. Copies of portions of the seed phrase are stored at multiple electronic devices. The seed phrase can be reconstructed at a particular device by retrieving a necessary and sufficient number of the portions from the other devices. In one example, the portions can be shared among devices when in physical proximity to each other and/or when the devices are authenticated as belonging to the same user, which owns the digital wallet. As such, the seed phrase can be stored securely across multiple devices and retrieved even when one of those devices is lost, damaged, or stolen.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to features that enable a user to operate a smartphone as a webcam for a computer. In one example, a smartphone is attached to a computer display, such as a laptop monitor or a flatscreen monitor, with a camera of the smartphone facing the user. The computer can detect the presence of the smartphone and trigger the smartphone and computer to pair with each other, e.g., by a Bluetooth handshake. The computer can then stream video captured by smartphone for a video call.

Abstract: A technique for selectively configuring a case of a handheld device to shield an antenna from receiving or transmitting wireless signals is disclosed. The technique includes moving a blocking element on the case between a first position and a second position. The blocking element is a physical structure that is rotatable, slidable, or removable to switch between the first position and the second position. In response to moving the blocking element to the first position, the blocking element blocks wireless signals received or transmitted by the antenna of the handheld device. In response to moving the blocking element to the second position, wireless signals can be received or transmitted through the case by the antenna.

Abstract: A connection hub includes a housing coupled to a universal serial bus (USB) cable that includes a plug for electronic devices. A housing of the connection hub includes a number (N) of ports and switches. The connection hub includes 1-to-N connections between the USB cable and the N ports, where each of the N ports includes a data line and/or a power line. The switches each include a mechanical component that is movable between a first position that activates a private mode and a second position that deactivates the private mode. A data line of a particular port is disabled when the private mode is activated, and a particular power line of the particular port is enabled when either the private mode is activated and when the private mode is deactivated.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for operating an electronic device as a web camera are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments relate to features that enable a user to operate a mobile device as a webcam. A smartphone case can hold a smartphone and be attached to a display, such as a laptop monitor or a flatscreen monitor, with a camera of the smartphone pointed at the user. The smartphone case can include a magnet, which triggers a Hall effect sensor inside the laptop or flatscreen monitor. The sensor can be used to trigger software that enables the smartphone and laptop or computer to pair with each other, e.g., by a Bluetooth handshake. The laptop or computer can accept a Wi-Fi or physical signal, such as via USB, from the smartphone and treat that input as a video stream into the laptop or computer.

Abstract: A technique for selectively configuring a case of a handheld device to shield an antenna from receiving or transmitting wireless signals is disclosed. The technique includes moving a blocking element on the case between a first position and a second position. The blocking element is a physical structure that is rotatable, slidable, or removable to switch between the first position and the second position. In response to moving the blocking element to the first position, the blocking element blocks wireless signals received or transmitted by the antenna of the handheld device. In response to moving the blocking element to the second position, wireless signals can be received or transmitted through the case by the antenna.

Abstract: The disclosed technique secures a seed phrase configured to access a digital wallet, which holds private keys to access digital assets on a blockchain. Copies of portions of the seed phrase are stored at multiple electronic devices. The seed phrase can be reconstructed at a particular device by retrieving a necessary and sufficient number of the portions from the other devices. In one example, the portions can be shared among devices when in physical proximity to each other and/or when the devices are authenticated as belonging to the same user, which owns the digital wallet. As such, the seed phrase can be stored securely across multiple devices and retrieved even when one of those devices is lost, damaged, or stolen.

Abstract: A connection hub includes a housing coupled to a universal serial bus (USB) cable that includes a plug for electronic devices. A housing of the connection hub includes a number (N) of ports and switches. The connection hub includes 1-to-N connections between the USB cable and the N ports, where each of the N ports includes a data line and/or a power line. The switches each include a mechanical component that is movable between a first position that activates a private mode and a second position that deactivates the private mode. A data line of a particular port is disabled when the private mode is activated, and a particular power line of the particular port is enabled when either the private mode is activated and when the private mode is deactivated.

Abstract: The disclosed technique secures a seed phrase configured to access a digital wallet, which holds private keys to access digital assets on a blockchain. Copies of portions of the seed phrase are stored at multiple electronic devices. The seed phrase can be reconstructed at a particular device by retrieving a necessary and sufficient number of the portions from the other devices. In one example, the portions can be shared among devices when in physical proximity to each other and/or when the devices are authenticated as belonging to the same user, which owns the digital wallet. As such, the seed phrase can be stored securely across multiple devices and retrieved even when one of those devices is lost, damaged, or stolen.

Abstract: A technique for selectively configuring a case of a handheld device to shield an antenna from receiving or transmitting wireless signals is disclosed. The technique includes moving a blocking element on the case between a first position and a second position. The blocking element is a physical structure that is rotatable, slidable, or removable to switch between the first position and the second position. In response to moving the blocking element to the first position, the blocking element blocks wireless signals received or transmitted by the antenna of the handheld device. In response to moving the blocking element to the second position, wireless signals can be received or transmitted through the case by the antenna.

Abstract: A technique for selectively configuring a case of a handheld device to shield an antenna from receiving or transmitting wireless signals is disclosed. The technique includes moving a blocking element on the case between a first position and a second position. The blocking element is a physical structure that is rotatable, slidable, or removable to switch between the first position and the second position. In response to moving the blocking element to the first position, the blocking element blocks wireless signals received or transmitted by the antenna of the handheld device. In response to moving the blocking element to the second position, wireless signals can be received or transmitted through the case by the antenna.

Abstract: A technique for selectively configuring a case of a handheld device to shield an antenna from receiving or transmitting wireless signals is disclosed. The technique includes moving a blocking element on the case between a first position and a second position. The blocking element is a physical structure that is rotatable, slidable, or removable to switch between the first position and the second position. In response to moving the blocking element to the first position, the blocking element blocks wireless signals received or transmitted by the antenna of the handheld device. In response to moving the blocking element to the second position, wireless signals can be received or transmitted through the case by the antenna.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for operating an electronic device as a web camera are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments relate to features that enable a user to operate a mobile device as a webcam. A smartphone case can hold a smartphone and be attached to a display, such as a laptop monitor or a flatscreen monitor, with a camera of the smartphone pointed at the user. The smartphone case can include a magnet, which triggers a Hall effect sensor inside the laptop or flatscreen monitor. The sensor can be used to trigger software that enables the smartphone and laptop or computer to pair with each other, e.g., by a Bluetooth handshake. The laptop or computer can accept a Wi-Fi or physical signal, such as via USB, from the smartphone and treat that input as a video stream into the laptop or computer.

Abstract: A technique for selectively configuring a case of a handheld device to shield an antenna from receiving or transmitting wireless signals is disclosed. The technique includes moving a blocking element on the case between a first position and a second position. The blocking element is a physical structure that is rotatable, slidable, or removable to switch between the first position and the second position. In response to moving the blocking element to the first position, the blocking element blocks wireless signals received or transmitted by the antenna of the handheld device. In response to moving the blocking element to the second position, wireless signals can be received or transmitted through the case by the antenna.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for operating an electronic device as a web camera are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments relate to features that enable a user to operate a mobile device as a webcam. A smartphone case can hold a smartphone and be attached to a display, such as a laptop monitor or a flatscreen monitor, with a camera of the smartphone pointed at the user. The smartphone case can include a magnet, which triggers a Hall effect sensor inside the laptop or flatscreen monitor. The sensor can be used to trigger software that enables the smartphone and laptop or computer to pair with each other, e.g., by a Bluetooth handshake. The laptop or computer can accept a Wi-Fi or physical signal, such as via USB, from the smartphone and treat that input as a video stream into the laptop or computer.

Abstract: A technique for selectively configuring a case of a handheld device to shield an antenna from receiving or transmitting wireless signals is disclosed. The technique includes moving a blocking element on the case between a first position and a second position. The blocking element is a physical structure that is rotatable, slidable, or removable to switch between the first position and the second position. In response to moving the blocking element to the first position, the blocking element blocks wireless signals received or transmitted by the antenna of the handheld device. In response to moving the blocking element to the second position, wireless signals can be received or transmitted through the case by the antenna.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein describe reconfigurable apparatuses with electronic displays. A reconfigurable laptop can unfold from a laptop into a desktop monitor. The reconfigurable laptop can feature two displays, one in each clamshell, instead of one display and one traditional keyboard. In place of a keyboard are a display, as well as touch sensitive sensors and haptic devices for typing feedback. This allows a user to use the reconfigurable laptop similarly to a traditional laptop. However, when the user desires, the reconfigurable laptop can be opened flat, creating a single screen double the size of a standard laptop screen. The reconfigurable laptop can be paired with a wired or wireless keyboard and mouse to create a larger device similar to a desktop.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for operating an electronic device as a web camera are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments relate to features that enable a user to operate a mobile device as a webcam. A smartphone case can hold a smartphone and be attached to a display, such as a laptop monitor or a flatscreen monitor, with a camera of the smartphone pointed at the user. The smartphone case can include a magnet, which triggers a Hall effect sensor inside the laptop or flatscreen monitor. The sensor can be used to trigger software that enables the smartphone and laptop or computer to pair with each other, e.g., by a Bluetooth handshake. The laptop or computer can accept a Wi-Fi or physical signal, such as via USB, from the smartphone and treat that input as a video stream into the laptop or computer.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the technology disclosed herein integrate a camera with an electronic display. An electronic display includes several layers, such as a cover layer, a color filter layer, a display layer including light emitting diodes or organic light emitting diodes, a thin film transistor layer, etc. The camera can include a plurality of noncontiguous pixel regions disposed beneath the display layer and be configured to capture a plurality of images corresponding to the plurality of noncontiguous pixel regions. In some embodiments, the plurality of images can form a composite image with depth.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the technology disclosed herein integrate a camera with an electronic display. An electronic display includes several layers, such as a cover layer, a color filter layer, a display layer including light emitting diodes or organic light emitting diodes, a thin film transistor layer, etc. The camera can include a plurality of noncontiguous pixel regions disposed beneath the display layer and be configured to capture a plurality of images corresponding to the plurality of noncontiguous pixel regions. In some embodiments, the plurality of images can form a composite image with depth.