Abstract: Object detection and user setting techniques are described. In an implementation, an object placed on a surface of the client is detected by the client. A determination is made as to which of a plurality of users correspond to the detected object. One or more user settings are located that correspond to the determined user.

Abstract: Targeted advertising using object identification techniques is described. In an implementation, an object is identified by a client that is placed on a surface of the client. An advertisement is located that corresponds to the identified object and is output.

Abstract: A computing system is provided to make managing the devices and content on a network easier by making the process intuitive, tactile and gestural. The computing system includes a display surface for graphically displaying the devices connected to a network and the content stored on those devices. A sensor is used to recognize activity on the display surface so that gestures may be used to control a device on the network and transport data between devices on the network. Additionally, new devices can be provided access to communicate on the network based on interaction with the display device.

Abstract: A computing system includes a display surface that displays an electronic program guide. A sensor is used to sense the presence of an object adjacent to the display surface. Based on the data from the sensor about the object adjacent to the display surface interacting with the electronic program guide, the system determines which gesture of a set of possible gestures the object is performing. For example, the system may determine that a hand is sliding across the display surface or rotating an icon on the display surface. The system will perform a function related to the electronic program guide based on the determined gesture.

Abstract: Object detection and user setting techniques are described. In an implementation, an object placed on a surface of the client is detected by the client. A determination is made as to which of a plurality of users correspond to the detected object. One or more user settings are located that correspond to the determined user.

Abstract: Targeted advertising using object identification techniques is described. In an implementation, an object is identified by a client that is placed on a surface of the client. An advertisement is located that corresponds to the identified object and is output.

Abstract: A user interface having zoom functionality is described. In an implementation, a user interface is displayed having representations of a plurality of content. Each of the representations is formed using a respective picture-in-picture stream of respective content. When an input is received to select a particular one of the representations, the respective content is displayed by zooming in from the picture-in-picture stream of the respective content to a respective video stream of the respective content.

Abstract: Representative scene images are described. In embodiment(s), an episodes user interface can be generated to include scene images that each represent and visually distinguish a different episode in a television program series. The episodes user interface can then be communicated to a media device to be rendered for display where the scene images are viewer-selectable via the episodes user interface. A scene image can be selected to initiate a request for an episode in the television program series to be rendered for viewing at the media device.

Abstract: Content selection and output techniques are described. In an implementation, a user interface is output at a client device that provides for selection of television content via a website for output on a television. A communication is formed to be communicated to the website based on interaction with the user interface to cause the television content to be output by the television automatically and without user intervention.

Abstract: Still-frame content navigation techniques are described. In an implementation, content is received via a real-time broadcast. A still frame is identified for each of a plurality of segments of the content that is representative of a respective segment. A plurality of the still frames is output in a user interface. Each of the still frames is selectable to navigate to a respective one of the segments that includes the still frame.

Abstract: Strategies are described for providing a media presentation based on a markup page definition (MPD). In operation, an operations center provides an MPD in response to a triggering event. The MPD may be expressed as an HTML page. The MPD includes one or more references to respective media streams. A client device renders a media presentation based on the MPD. For instance, the client device accesses the media streams referenced by the MPD by virtually tuning to and receiving these media streams. The strategies can be applied in various scenarios. For instance, the strategies can be applied to generate a media presentation of locale-specific programs or channels, recently viewed programs or channels, favorite programs or channels, popular programs or channels, and so on.