Abstract: A method for delivering multimedia content during a communal session at a media system commutatively coupled with a streaming application. The method includes authenticating access to multimedia content for user devices participating in a communal session, receiving a first recording from a first user device, the first recording being generated from a first set of cameras of the first user device, receiving social media content generated the user devices, the social media content including a second recording generated simultaneously with the first recording on the first user device, the second recording being generated from a second set of cameras of the first user device, and synchronizing delivery of the first recording and the social media content by exchanging playback control messages with the streaming application to direct synchronized transmissions of the first recording and the social media content to the user devices.

Abstract: A trust network is formed in a communal media system connected to a streaming application and executed within the streaming application. Source location is received for multimedia content selected in the streaming application and transmitted to user devices participating in a communal session. During the communal session, offerings are presented to the user devices in the communal session and user data associated with user interactions with the offerings are obtained and analyzed. Information presented to the user devices in the communal session is optimized based on the user data. Delivery of the multimedia content and social media content generated on the user devices is synchronized. The multimedia content and the social media content are delivered to the user devices at the same time, without any noticeable lag time during receipt of the multimedia content and the social media content by the user devices.

Abstract: A communal media system includes a synchronization system to: receive multimedia content for delivery to multiple user devices, a video recorded on one of the user devices, and social media content generated by the user devices; separate the multimedia content, the video and the social media content into a set of prioritized layers; and adjust simultaneous deliveries of the multimedia content, the video and the social media content to the user devices, based timestamp receipts and the fragment identifier acknowledgements received from the user devices, The multimedia content is delivered to each user devices at the same time and the social media content is delivered to the user devices at the same time while the multimedia content is being viewed on the user devices. A recording system records a communal session including the multimedia content, the video, and the social media content.

Abstract: A method for delivering multimedia content during a communal session at a media system commutatively coupled with a streaming application. The method includes receiving a request to initiate the communal session; retrieving contact information for user devices selected to participate in the communal session; retrieving an address for each of the user devices; receiving a source location for multimedia content selected in the streaming application; and sharing the source location with a player that is configured to transmit the multimedia content to each of the user devices. The method also includes, at an appointed time, initiating video playback for each of the user devices, synchronizing delivery of the multimedia content and social media content generated on each of the user devices, and exchanging playback control messages with the streaming application to direct the synchronized transmissions of the multimedia content and social media content to each of the user devices.

Abstract: A trust network is formed in a communal media system connected to a streaming application and executed within the streaming application. Source location is received for multimedia content selected in the streaming application and transmitted to user devices participating in a communal session. During the communal session, offerings are presented to the user devices in the communal session and user data associated with user interactions with the offerings are obtained and analyzed. Information presented to the user devices in the communal session is optimized based on the user data. Delivery of the multimedia content and social media content generated on the user devices is synchronized. The multimedia content and the social media content are delivered to the user devices at the same time, without any noticeable lag time during receipt of the multimedia content and the social media content by the user devices.

Abstract: A communal media system includes a synchronization system to retrieve the multimedia content for delivery to participating user devices and receive a request from a user device for multimedia content being displayed on participating user devices. The multimedia content being displayed on a first participating device is different from the multimedia content being displayed on a second participating device. The synchronization system receives social media content generated by user devices, adjusts simultaneous deliveries of the multimedia content being displayed on the first and second participating user devices and the social media content to the user devices, and transmits, to user devices in the communal session, multiple screens including the multimedia content being displayed on the first and second participating user devices at the same time. A display system causes the user devices in the communal session to simultaneously display multiple screens at the same time.

Abstract: A method for delivering multimedia content during a communal session at a media system commutatively coupled with a streaming application. The method includes receiving a request to initiate the communal session; retrieving contact information for user devices selected to participate in the communal session; retrieving an address for each of the user devices; receiving a source location for multimedia content selected in the streaming application; and sharing the source location with a player that is configured to transmit the multimedia content to each of the user devices. The method also includes, at an appointed time, initiating video playback for each of the user devices, synchronizing delivery of the multimedia content and social media content generated on each of the user devices, and exchanging playback control messages with the streaming application to direct the synchronized transmissions of the multimedia content and social media content to each of the user devices.

Abstract: A communal media system includes a synchronization system to: receive multimedia content for delivery to multiple user devices, a video recorded on one of the user devices, and social media content generated by the user devices; separate the multimedia content, the video and the social media content into a set of prioritized layers; and adjust simultaneous deliveries of the multimedia content, the video and the social media content to the user devices, based timestamp receipts and the fragment identifier acknowledgements received from the user devices, The multimedia content is delivered to each user devices at the same time and the social media content is delivered to the user devices at the same time while the multimedia content is being viewed on the user devices. A recording system records a communal session including the multimedia content, the video, and the social media content.

Abstract: A communal media system includes a content management system for storing multimedia content and a synchronization system configured to: retrieve the multimedia content for delivery to a plurality of user devices and receive social media content generated by the user devices; separate the multimedia content and the social media content into a set of prioritized layers; determine a timestamp offset for each of the user devices; and adjust simultaneous deliveries of the multimedia content and the social media content to the user devices, based on a priority associated each layer and the timestamp offset associated with each user device, The multimedia content is delivered to each user devices at the same time and the social media content is delivered to the user devices at the same time while the multimedia content is being viewed on the user devices.

Abstract: A communal media system includes a content management system for storing multimedia content and a synchronization system configured to: retrieve the multimedia content for delivery to a plurality of user devices and receive social media content generated by the user devices; separate the multimedia content and the social media content into a set of prioritized layers; determine a timestamp offset for each of the user devices; and adjust simultaneous deliveries of the multimedia content and the social media content to the user devices, based on a priority associated each layer and the timestamp offset associated with each user device, The multimedia content is delivered to each user devices at the same time and the social media content is delivered to the user devices at the same time while the multimedia content is being viewed on the user devices.

Abstract: A method for delivering multimedia content during a communal session at a media system commutatively coupled with a streaming application. The method includes receiving a request to initiate the communal session; retrieving contact information for user devices selected to participate in the communal session; retrieving an address for each of the user devices; receiving a source location for multimedia content selected in the streaming application; and sharing the source location with a player that is configured to transmit the multimedia content to each of the user devices. The method also includes, at an appointed time, initiating video playback for each of the user devices, synchronizing delivery of the multimedia content and social media content generated on each of the user devices, and exchanging playback control messages with the streaming application to direct the synchronized transmissions of the multimedia content and social media content to each of the user devices.

Abstract: A method for delivering multimedia content during a communal session at a media system commutatively coupled with a streaming application. The method includes receiving a request to initiate the communal session; retrieving contact information for user devices selected to participate in the communal session; retrieving an address for each of the user devices; receiving a source location for multimedia content selected in the streaming application; and sharing the source location with a player that is configured to transmit the multimedia content to each of the user devices. The method also includes, at an appointed time, initiating video playback for each of the user devices, synchronizing delivery of the multimedia content and social media content generated on each of the user devices, and exchanging playback control messages with the streaming application to direct the synchronized transmissions of the multimedia content and social media content to each of the user devices.

Abstract: A method for delivering multimedia content during a communal session at a media system commutatively coupled with a streaming application. The method includes authenticating access to multimedia content for user devices participating in a communal session, receiving a first recording from a first user device, the first recording being generated from a first set of cameras of the first user device, receiving social media content generated the user devices, the social media content including a second recording generated simultaneously with the first recording on the first user device, the second recording being generated from a second set of cameras of the first user device, and synchronizing delivery of the first recording and the social media content by exchanging playback control messages with the streaming application to direct synchronized transmissions of the first recording and the social media content to the user devices.

Abstract: A communal media system includes a content management system for storing multimedia content and a synchronization system configured to: retrieve the multimedia content for delivery to a plurality of user devices and receive social media content generated by the user devices; separate the multimedia content and the social media content into a set of prioritized layers; determine a timestamp offset for each of the user devices; and adjust simultaneous deliveries of the multimedia content and the social media content to the user devices, based on a priority associated each layer and the timestamp offset associated with each user device, The multimedia content is delivered to each user devices at the same time and the social media content is delivered to the user devices at the same time while the multimedia content is being viewed on the user devices.

Abstract: A communal media system includes a content management system for storing multimedia content and a synchronization system configured to: retrieve the multimedia content for delivery to a plurality of user devices and receive social media content generated by the user devices; separate the multimedia content and the social media content into a set of prioritized layers; determine a timestamp offset for each of the user devices; and adjust simultaneous deliveries of the multimedia content and the social media content to the user devices, based on a priority associated each layer and the timestamp offset associated with each user device, The multimedia content is delivered to each user devices at the same time and the social media content is delivered to the user devices at the same time while the multimedia content is being viewed on the user devices.

Abstract: A method for viewing on-line content includes providing on-line content on a remote server and selecting on-line content to be viewed, as well as a time for viewing the on-line content in a group session. A host invites other individuals to simultaneously view the content. Each invitee can accept or reject the invitation. A notification is provided to the host as to whether each invitee has accepted or rejected the invitation. The host and invitees can then collectively view the on-line content beginning at the selected time.