Abstract: In response to certain inputs to an application, the operating system generates a snapshot of the graphical interface of an application. Such inputs include, but are not limited, actions that initiate an update of the graphical interface in the display area for the application, such as repositioning, resizing and/or rotating the display area, bringing the display area onto the display, and removing the display area from the display. Other actions that may initiate creation and use of a snapshot include suspending an application, bringing an application into the foreground, and swapping data for an application into and out of main memory. The operating system updates the display area for the application using the snapshot until the application has completed updating its graphical interface for the modified display area. While the application is updating its graphical interface, the operating system can manage other inputs to the application.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to managing z-dimensional ordering of elements within a computing system display through the use of z-order bands. As described herein, z-order bands are utilized to arrange windows and other graphics corresponding to respective application types. A policy engine controls which windows and/or other graphical elements can enter and exit each band. Graphical elements within a given band can additionally be subject to per-band properties corresponding to the band and/or user preferences. As additionally described herein, z-order bands and/or other suitable mechanisms are utilized to facilitate registration watermarking for a computing environment by rendering a registration watermark display upon determining that one or more licensed elements of a computing system have not been registered.

Abstract: Techniques to discover object interfaces are described. An object association component is operative to generate mapping information representing a mapping between an application object interface for an application object of an application program executing in a first process with a system object handle for a system object of a system program executing in a second process, create a memory map file name for a memory mapped file, and store a record with the mapping information in the memory mapped file. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An arrangement for exposing self-describing device-hosted services on a client device to a host application or processes over MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) is provided by which an MTP extension comprising new MTP commands enables the device-hosted services to be backwards and forward compatible with existing MTP implementations. The new MTP commands in the extension enable discovery by the host of device-hosted services provided by a connected client device. In an illustrative example, the device-hosted services include storage services, functional device services, and information services. These device-hosted services advantageously enable richer communication between the host and client device. A set of methods is further provided for taking any such device-hosted service present on a device and exposing the functionality, for example, to web-based client applications, as well as other thin-client solutions, through utilization of a scriptable or other programming environment.

Abstract: Meta data associated with multiple pieces of content (e.g., songs, movies, other audio/video clips, etc.) stored on multiple pieces of media (e.g., CDs, DVDs, etc.) is maintained in a meta data store. The meta data store also includes meta data associated with other pieces of content stored elsewhere, such as songs stored in files on a local hard drive that have been ripped from a CD or DVD. These other pieces of content are associated with the content on the pieces of media, such as being ripped versions of the same song tracks. This association is maintained in the meta data store, so that whenever a change is made to meta data for one piece of content (e.g., for a track on a CD), then the meta data for the associated piece(s) is also changed (e.g., the ripped version stored in a file on the hard drive).

Abstract: Managing media information on a computing device. The media information is stored in a plurality of media sources where at least one of the media sources is an external storage associated with the computing device and where at least one of the media sources is a local storage associated with the computing device. The computing device identifies one or more media objects stored in at least the local storage media source and the external storage media source. Metadata relating to the media information stored in the media sources is retrieved from the identified media objects and aggregated. A user interface is generated to display the aggregated metadata on the computing device.

Abstract: Various systems and methods described above permit a user's content experience (e.g. music playing experience) to be monitored and for metadata describing this experience to be collected. This metadata can be dynamically updated as a user experiences media content and then used to impart to the user a personalized experience that is tailored to that specific user. A user's metadata can, in some instances, provided across a wide variety of computing devices on which the user may experience the media content, thus standardizing the user's personalized media experience. In addition, intelligent or “smart” playlists can be provided which, in some instances, can be dynamically and automatically updated to reflect current user experiences, thus providing a highly personalized and enjoyable content experience.

Abstract: Various systems and methods described above permit a user's content experience (e.g. music playing experience) to be monitored and for metadata describing this experience to be collected. This metadata can be dynamically updated as a user experiences media content and then used to impart to the user a personalized experience that is tailored to that specific user. A user's metadata can, in some instances, provided across a wide variety of computing devices on which the user may experience the media content, thus standardizing the user's personalized media experience. In addition, intelligent or “smart” playlists can be provided which, in some instances, can be dynamically and automatically updated to reflect current user experiences, thus providing a highly personalized and enjoyable content experience.

Abstract: Various systems and methods described above permit a user's content experience (e.g. music playing experience) to be monitored and for metadata describing this experience to be collected. This metadata can be dynamically updated as a user experiences media content and then used to impart to the user a personalized experience that is tailored to that specific user. A user's metadata can, in some instances, provided across a wide variety of computing devices on which the user may experience the media content, thus standardizing the user's personalized media experience. In addition, intelligent or “smart” playlists can be provided which, in some instances, can be dynamically and automatically updated to reflect current user experiences, thus providing a highly personalized and enjoyable content experience.

Abstract: Meta data associated with multiple pieces of content (e.g., songs, movies, other audio/video clips, etc.) stored on multiple pieces of media (e.g., CDs, DVDs, etc.) is maintained in a meta data store. The meta data store also includes meta data associated with other pieces of content stored elsewhere, such as songs stored in files on a local hard drive that have been ripped from a CD or DVD. These other pieces of content are associated with the content on the pieces of media, such as being ripped versions of the same song tracks. This association is maintained in the meta data store, so that whenever a change is made to meta data for one piece of content (e.g., for a track on a CD), then the meta data for the associated piece(s) is also changed (e.g., the ripped version stored in a file on the hard drive).