Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include receiving, by a system comprising a processor, a request from a mobile communication device to configure a computing environment for executing a software application, identifying a deficiency in an availability of a resource of the computing environment responsive to receiving the request, adjusting an operation of the computing environment to change the availability of the resource responsive to identifying the resource deficiency, and providing an action of a plurality of associable actions to the computer environment for use in the software application, where the action replaces a received stimulation of a user input that is associated with the executing of the software application. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving at a computer device a plurality of stimulus signals generated by one or more gaming accessory devices of a gamer controlling a gaming application, generating a plurality of gaming stimulations based on the plurality of stimulus signals, generating a plurality of gaming action results from the gaming application responsive to the plurality of gaming stimulations, combining the plurality of gaming action results and the plurality of gaming stimulations to generate a plurality of hardware statistics associated with the gamer, and transmitting to a social network the plurality of hardware statistics associated with the gamer.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, determining first and second stimulus signals from first and second input functions of first and second gaming equipment devices used by first and second users to control a video game. A first contest between the first and second users is based on first and second game action results determined based on the first and second stimulus signals. A relative performance between the first and second users is determined from a comparison of first and second measures of the first and second stimulus signals. A second contest between the first user and the second user is based on the relative performance. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving at a computer device a plurality of stimulus signals generated by one or more gaming accessory devices of a gamer controlling a gaming application, generating a plurality of gaming stimulations based on the plurality of stimulus signals, generating a plurality of gaming action results from the gaming application responsive to the plurality of gaming stimulations, combining the plurality of gaming action results and the plurality of gaming stimulations to generate a plurality of hardware statistics associated with the gamer, and transmitting to a social network the plurality of hardware statistics associated with the gamer.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a first stimulus signal from a first gaming accessory device used by a first contestant and a second stimulus signal from a second gaming accessory device used by a second contestant. Measures of the first and second stimulus signals are determined as are first and second performance factors are based upon the first and second measures. The first and second performance factors are compared and a ranking of the first and second contestants is determined based upon the comparison. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for indicating a pre-game environment quality level may include, for example, obtaining a profile associated with a video game, where the profile comprises desirable performance metrics for initiating the video game, performing performance metric measurements in collaboration with a computing device from which the video game is to be played, comparing the performance metric measurements to the desirable performance metrics, determining a discrepancy between the performance metric measurements and the desirable performance metrics, determining a gaming quality level according to the determined discrepancy, and presenting at the computing device a quality indicator based on the determined quality level. The presenting can further include graphically displaying the quality indicator and the discrepancy. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a processor coupled to a memory storing instructions and to a near field sensor. Execution of the instructions can cause the processor to perform operations including defining a zone corresponding to a portion of an accessory comprising the sensor, detecting a gesture of an object in the zone by sensing the object with the sensor, determining that the gesture is a new gesture not previously associated with the zone and not previously associated with a gaming action controlling presentations produced by a gaming application, associating the gesture with the zone and with the gaming action, subsequently detecting the gesture in the zone, obtaining the gaming action associated with the gesture, and transmitting the gaming action to the gaming application. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system, processor or computer readable device that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a user attribute of a first user based on a record of stimulation of an electronic gaming accessory of the first user. The record of stimulation is determined responsive to game-related activity in an electronic game application. A first user record is updated responsive to the receiving of the user attribute of the first user, resulting in an updated first user record. The updated first user record is forwarded to a matching service, wherein the matching service matches the first user and a second user based on the updated first user record. Such matching can be used to associate players of electronic games, for example, as members of a team. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a device comprising a processor, a first signal from a motion-sensitive component of the device; receiving, by the device, a second signal from a touch-sensitive interface of the device, detecting, by the device, from a combined signal comprising the first signal and the second signal, a selection of a portion of the device; and causing, by the device, a sensory feedback generator to provide a feedback signal in accordance with the combined signal. The feedback signal may comprise an audible sound, a visual effect, a tactile effect, or any combination thereof. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a first group of gaming results associated with a first garner, receiving a second group of gaming results associated with a second garner, presenting renditions of first and second peripherals, where the first peripheral represents a first gaming accessory for use by the first gamer to generate a first group of stimulus signals, and where the second peripheral represents a second gaming accessory for use by the second gamer to generate a second group of stimulus signals, and presenting competitive information of the first and second garners determined from at least a portion of the first and second group of gaming results, the first and second group of stimulus signals, or combinations thereof. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for indicating a pre-game environment quality level may include, for example, obtaining a profile associated with a video game, where the profile comprises desirable performance metrics for initiating the video game, performing performance metric measurements in collaboration with a computing device from which the video game is to be played, comparing the performance metric measurements to the desirable performance metrics, determining a discrepancy between the performance metric measurements and the desirable performance metrics, determining a gaming quality level according to the determined discrepancy, and presenting at the computing device a quality indicator based on the determined quality level. The presenting can further include graphically displaying the quality indicator and the discrepancy. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for receiving a signal representative of a displacement of at least a portion of a computer mouse from a surface of a mouse pad, and causing a change in a state of a video game presented by a gaming system according to the signal. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a processor to perform operations including sensing a gesture performed by an object in a vicinity of a sensor, associating the gesture with the at least one gaming action responsive to determining that the gesture is a new gesture not previously associated with at least one gaming action of a plurality of gaming actions that control presentations produced by a gaming application, sensing by way of the sensor a subsequent instance of the gesture by the object or a different object, obtaining the at least one gaming action associated with the gesture responsive to detecting the subsequent instance of the gesture, and providing the at least one gaming action to the gaming application. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting movement of a cover of the device with respect to a body of the device, and determining, in response to detecting movement of the cover, that the device is ready for use. If the device is ready for use, a signal is transmitted to a computing device, and the computing device is directed to perform an initializing procedure for a gaming engine executing on the computing device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a first group of gaming results associated with a first gamer, receiving a second group of gaming results associated with a second gamer, presenting renditions of first and second peripherals, where the first peripheral represents a first gaming accessory for use by the first gamer to generate a first group of stimulus signals, and where the second peripheral represents a second gaming accessory for use by the second gamer to generate a second group of stimulus signals, and presenting competitive information of the first and second gamers determined from at least a portion of the first and second group of gaming results, the first and second group of stimulus signals, or combinations thereof. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for receiving a signal representative of a displacement of at least a portion of a computer mouse from a surface of a mouse pad, and causing a change in a state of a video game presented by a gaming system according to the signal. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The subject disclosure includes a method for detecting a transferee gaming accessory, presenting a user interface providing a plurality of selectable gaming configurations, detecting a selection of a gaming configuration from the plurality of selectable gaming configurations, accessing the gaming configuration, facilitating a peer-to-peer communication session with the transferee gaming accessory, and transmitting the gaming configuration to the transferee gaming accessory to configure the transferee gaming accessory. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for determining a current performance of a gamer during a first gaming session of a gaming application, where the performance is determined from a first plurality of stimulus signals generated by a gaming accessory during the first gaming session according to a configuration setting assigned to the gaming accessory, identifying a prior performance of the gamer during a prior gaming session of the gaming application, where the prior performance is determined from a second plurality of stimulus signals generated by the gaming accessory according to the configuration setting, comparing the current performance to the prior performance to determine a change in performance of the gamer, and adjusting the configuration setting assigned to the gaming accessory according to the change in the performance of the gamer. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting a game stimulus signal generated by a first gaming accessory device, determining a first game action result based on the game stimulus signal, analyzing the first game action result to provide a first coaching message to achieve a desired result, and presenting the coaching message. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system that determine whether a user input stimulus is an invalid stimulus for a video game where the user input stimulus is generated based on a movement of a peripheral device, and causes an adjustment or deletion of the user input stimulus responsive to a determination that the user input stimulus is the invalid stimulus for the video game. Additional embodiments are disclosed.