Abstract: A system and method for managing a computer-implemented online game provides dynamically variable rewards to incentivize player interaction with sponsored content presented within the game. The particular reward offered to incentivize player interaction with particular sponsored content (e.g., a particular advertisement) can be dynamically variable based on the attributes of the player, thus providing user-specific custom rewards for interaction with sponsored content. Properties of incentive rewards that may be dynamically variable can include a custom type of in-game asset or resource, and/or a custom amount of a particular in-game asset or resource.

Abstract: A provider network may implement compute instance migrations across availability zones. Compute instances may be located in a particular availability zone of provider network that is implemented across multiple availability zones. A request may be received, from a client of the provider network or other component of the provider network, to migrate a compute instance that is currently operating for a client and located in one availability zone to another availability zone. A destination compute instance may be provisioned in the other availability zone based on a configuration of the currently operating compute instance. In some embodiments, other computing resources utilized by the currently operating compute instance, such as data storage resources, may be moved to the other availability zone. Migration may be completed such that the destination compute instance is currently operating for the client and the compute instance is not.

Abstract: A method for migrating a virtual machine instance within a service provider environment may include determining to migrate an instance running on a source server computer, the source server computer associated with a plurality of hardware resource settings. A target server computer may be identified based at least in part on the plurality of hardware resource settings. A local data volume of the target server computer may be synchronized with a local data volume of the source server computer. A notification may be sent to the user, indicating migration of the instance can be initiated. Upon receiving a reboot request, disconnecting at least one network interface attached to the instance. The instance may be terminated from running on the source server computer, and may be launched on the target server computer using the synchronized local data volume and instance state data.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for personalized commands are described. The system and method for personalized commands may include a payment service including a command management component. Such payment service may be responsive to one or more base commands. The command management component may be configured to generate a user interface for specifying personalized commands that correspond to the base commands. The command management component may be configured to generate mapping information from the information received via the user interface. The command management component may be configured to receive one or more messages that may include commands for the payment service, including personalized commands. From the personalized commands, the command management component may be configured to determine a corresponding base commands (e.g., based on the mapping information). Once the base command is determined, the payment service may perform the base command.

Abstract: A mobile payment network may include a server receiving a request for payment from a device, where the request may include information related to a location for the device. The information related to location information for the device that is included within the request may then be used for deriving location information for the device. Given the location information for the device, a distance between the location information and a geographic area may be determined. The distance between the location information for the device and the geographic area may then serve, at least in part, as the basis for approving the request for payment.

Abstract: A mobile payment network receives a payment request from a first user operating a first mobile device and identifies recipients of the payment request based at least in part on the proximity of other mobile devices to the first mobile device.

Abstract: Anonymous mobile payments enable a user to make and/or receive payments without disclosing personal or private information to another party. In some aspects, a provider of a payment may request an anonymous payment for a specified value from a host. In response, the host may transmit to the provider a code that is available for redemption. The provider may then relay the code to a recipient, who may redeem the code from the host. In other aspects, a recipient may request a temporary identifier (special code) from a host. The recipient may relay the temporary identifier to a provider, who may in turn transmit a payment, via the host, using the temporary identifier. The recipient may then claim the payment from the host. In additional aspects, the codes of the anonymous payments may include expiration times and/or restrictions on a number of uses of the code.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for receiving task requests from unregistered devices are described. Embodiments may include a communication interface service configured to receive from a communication device a message indicative of a request to perform a task. The communication interface service may determine that the communication device is not registered with an existing account that provides information for performing said task. The communication interface service may obtain identification and authentication information for an existing account via a communication channel. The existing account may be an account for that is accessible via a network-based interface. The communication channel through which the identification and authentication information is received by the communication interface service may be any communication channel that does not include the network-based interface of the existing account.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a computer-implemented online game provides dynamically variable rewards to incentivize player interaction with sponsored content presented within the game. The particular reward offered to incentivize player interaction with particular sponsored content (e.g., a particular advertisement) can be dynamically variable based on the attributes of the player, thus providing user-specific custom rewards for interaction with sponsored content. Properties of incentive rewards that may be dynamically variable can include a custom type of in-game asset or resource, and/or a custom amount of a particular in-game asset or resource.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for the planning of resources used in computing. Usage statistics regarding one or more virtual machine instances executing in a networked plurality of computing devices are obtained. The usage statistics are grouped, for example, based on one or more customer usage classifications, thereby producing one or more usage groups. A corresponding demand forecast is generated for each of the usage groups. A projected demand for one or more physical components of the networked computing devices is calculated according to the demand forecasts.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for managing requests for computing capacity from a provider of computing resources. The computing resources may include program execution capabilities, data storage or management capabilities, network bandwidth, etc. In some implementations, a user can request that computer resources be reserved for guaranteed availability by the user (or others authorized by the user) during a future usage time period. For example, the user can request a desired amount of program execution capacity. The usage period can be flexibly chosen to meet the user's needs. The request can specify, for example, that a particular program be executed during the usage period, that only certain users be authorized to have access to the guaranteed availability computer resources, and so forth. The provider may charge a fee for the request and/or fees for access or use of the guaranteed availability computer resources during the usage period.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for personalized commands are described. The system and method for personalized commands may include a payment service including a command management component. Such payment service may be responsive to one or more base commands. The command management component may be configured to generate a user interface for specifying personalized commands that correspond to the base commands. The command management component may be configured to generate mapping information from the information received via the user interface. The command management component may be configured to receive one or more messages that may include commands for the payment service, including personalized commands. From the personalized commands, the command management component may be configured to determine a corresponding base commands (e.g., based on the mapping information). Once the base command is determined, the payment service may perform the base command.

Abstract: An online advertising method comprises presenting sequenced or tiered interactive promotional content to a player of a computer-implemented online game. The interactive promotional content comprises a sequence of sponsored interactions with the content for performance by the player, with at least one of the sequence of sponsored activities being a gated activity which is available to the player only if the player has performed a corresponding preceding activity in the sequence.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses for providing wallet server information to an entity using a real-time mobile wallet server (MWS) are disclosed herein. The MWS may receive a request for personal information from an entity. The MWS may then display to a user a summary of the request, a list of selections available in the wallet server that may satisfy the request, and a list of selectable response options for the user to choose to respond to the entity. In some aspects, the wallet server may store username and associated passwords, payment information, and/or contact information. In further aspects, the MWS may generate limited-use payment information associated with existing payment information. The MWS may communicate ad hoc messaging to the entity using voice-based or real-time text-based communications over an established communication link between the MWS and entity.

Abstract: A mobile payment network receives a payment request from a first user operating a first mobile device and identifies recipients of the payment request based at least in part on the proximity of other mobile devices to the first mobile device.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses for providing wallet server information to an entity using a real-time mobile wallet server (MWS) are disclosed herein. The MWS may receive a request for personal information from an entity. The MWS may then display to a user a summary of the request, a list of selections available in the wallet server that may satisfy the request, and a list of selectable response options for the user to choose to respond to the entity. In some aspects, the wallet server may store username and associated passwords, payment information, and/or contact information. In further aspects, the MWS may generate limited-use payment information associated with existing payment information. The MWS may communicate ad hoc messaging to the entity using voice-based or real-time text-based communications over an established communication link between the MWS and entity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for managing requests for computing capacity from a provider of computing resources. The computing resources may include program execution capabilities, data storage or management capabilities, network bandwidth, etc. In some implementations, a user can request that computer resources be reserved for guaranteed availability by the user (or others authorized by the user) during a future usage time period. For example, the user can request a desired amount of program execution capacity. The usage period can be flexibly chosen to meet the user's needs. The request can specify, for example, that a particular program be executed during the usage period, that only certain users be authorized to have access to the guaranteed availability computer resources, and so forth. The provider may charge a fee for the request and/or fees for access or use of the guaranteed availability computer resources during the usage period.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for personalized commands are described. The system and method for personalized commands may include a payment service including a command management component. Such payment service may be responsive to one or more base commands. The command management component may be configured to generate a user interface for specifying personalized commands that correspond to the base commands. The command management component may be configured to generate mapping information from the information received via the user interface. The command management component may be configured to receive one or more messages that may include commands for the payment service, including personalized commands. From the personalized commands, the command management component may be configured to determine a corresponding base commands (e.g., based on the mapping information). Once the base command is determined, the payment service may perform the base command.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for receiving task requests from unregistered devices are described. Embodiments may include a communication interface service configured to receive from a communication device a message indicative of a request to perform a task. The communication interface service may determine that the communication device is not registered with an existing account that provides information for performing said task. The communication interface service may obtain identification and authentication information for an existing account via a communication channel. The existing account may be an account for that is accessible via a network-based interface. The communication channel through which the identification and authentication information is received by the communication interface service may be any communication channel that does not include the network-based interface of the existing account.

Abstract: Techniques for providing information to users implemented through personal mobile devices such as cell phones, PDAs, electronic book readers, and other such devices are described herein. The described techniques and systems allow users to request searches, perform information seeking, purchasing, or other types of transactions with a provider via a mobile or wireless network using the messaging service capabilities of the users' mobile devices. Messages may be compiled in a manner customized to a user request and may be provided without the user authenticating to the provider in some instances.