Abstract: A computing device may provide a control interface that enables the user to manage the synchronized output of companion content (e.g., textual content and corresponding audio content generated by a text-to-speech component). For example, the computing device may display a visual cue to identify a current location in textual content corresponding to a current output position of companion audio content. As the audio content is presented, the visual cue may be advanced to maintain synchronization between the output position within the audio content and a corresponding position in the textual content. The user may control the synchronized output by dragging her finger across the textual content displayed on the touch screen. Accordingly, the control interface may provide a highlight or other visual indication of the distance between the advancing position in the textual content and the location of a pointer to the textual content indicated by the current position of the user's finger.

Abstract: A computing device may provide a control interface that enables the user to manage the synchronized output of companion content (e.g., textual content and corresponding audio content). For example, the computing device may display a visual cue to identify a current location in textual content corresponding to a current output position of companion audio content. As the audio content is presented, the visual cue may be advanced to maintain synchronization between the output position within the audio content and a corresponding position in the textual content. The user may control the synchronized output by dragging her finger across the textual content displayed on the touch screen. Accordingly, the control interface may provide a highlight or other visual indication of the distance between the advancing position in the textual content and the location of a pointer to the textual content indicated by the current position of the user's finger.

Abstract: A content processing service may analyze an item of original content and identify several objects, attributes of those objects, and relationships between those objects present in the item of original content. The content processing service may also analyze a source graph, such as a social graph or supplemental graph, and identify several objects, attributes of those objects, and relationships between objects present in the source graph. The content processing service may customize the item of original content by selecting an original object and selecting a source graph object. One or more of the attributes or relationships of the selected original object in the item of original content may be replaced by one or more of the attributes or relationships of the selected source graph object. To customize items of audio content, audio content associated with the source graph object may replace audio content associated with the target graph object.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the sharing of synchronization information corresponding to content among devices in a communication network. An originating device collects synchronization information related to the presentation of content to a user via the originating device. The synchronization information is defined according to reference points related to the presentation of the content to the user via the originating device, including a current state of the presentation of the content and/or additional information obtained during the presentation of the content. Based on detection of a synchronization event, the originating device transmits the collected synchronization information, resulting in the receipt of the synchronization information by one or more receiving devices. Thereafter, the presentation of the content to the user on one of the receiving devices can incorporate the synchronization information collected and transmitted by the originating device.

Abstract: A method and protocol for creating and configuring customized paths, such as channels, for the delivery of electronic content to a variety of devices associated with a user is provided. A content provider may create a channel for each device registered by a user by creating a provisioning Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”) for each device. The user may select certain content to be delivered to a registered device via the channel. The user's device requests a list of feed URLs available to the user by accessing the provisioning URL. A content management program returns the list of feed URLs to the device and the list of feed URLs stored on the device is updated. The electronic content may be distributed through the disclosed protocol directly to the registered device if the device is active, or to a computing device for distribution to passive devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for creating a sample of electronic content for transmission to others. For example, a user may select a portion of an electronic content file to be transmitted as an excerpt file to another user. In some instances, transmission may be prohibited based on various criteria.

Abstract: A content exchange service facilitates communication between, and production of content by, holders of rights in content titles and producers of content. The content exchange service receives content profiles from various rights holders and surfaces the content profiles to producers for purposes of soliciting auditions to produce the content subject of the content profiles in an alternative form. The rights holder can review the auditions submitted by producers and establish communication with the producer of the audition the rights holder liked via the content exchange service. The content exchange service can then facilitate negotiation of an agreement between the rights holder and the producer for production of the content in an alternative form. Following finalization of the agreement, the producer may submit a complete production of the content in the alternative form to the content exchange service, which in turn presents the complete production to the rights holder for approval.

Abstract: A content alignment service may generate content synchronization information to facilitate the synchronous presentation of audio content and textual content. In some embodiments, a region of the textual content whose correspondence to the audio content is uncertain may be analyzed to determine whether the region of textual content corresponds to one or more words that are audibly presented in the audio content, or whether the region of textual content is a mismatch with respect to the audio content. In some embodiments, words in the textual content that correspond to words in the audio content are synchronously presented, while mismatched words in the textual content may be skipped to maintain synchronous presentation. Accordingly, in one example application, an audiobook is synchronized with an electronic book, so that as the electronic book is displayed, corresponding words of the audiobook are audibly presented.

Abstract: Generally described, a content alignment service may generate content synchronization information to facilitate the synchronous presentation of corresponding audio content and textual content. In some embodiments, portions of body text (as opposed to front matter, such as a table of contents; or back matter, such as an index) in the textual content are identified and synchronized with corresponding audio content. In one example application, an audiobook may be synchronized with an electronic book. As the body text portions of the electronic book are consumed, corresponding words of the audiobook may be audibly presented.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering content to a consumer and tracking the content consumed. For example, electronic content may be provided to a playback device of a consumer. An indication of the amount of content actually consumed by the consumer may be received, where the amount is determined by tracking the content consumed. A cost of content may be calculated based on the indication of the amount of content consumed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for graphically representing associations between one or more points in a story and one or more referents of interest. In some embodiments, a score may be determined for each of a set of points in a story based at least in part on a number of associations between the given point in the story and one or more referents of interest. A graphical representation of the points in the story may then be presented for display. The graphical representation may include indicia, where each indicium graphically indicates the strength of association between a given point in the story and the one or more referents of interest. The strength of association for a given point in the story may be determined, for example, based at least in part on the determined score for the point.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for graphically representing associations between one or more stories and one or more referents of interest. In some embodiments, a score may be determined for each of a set of stories based at least in part on a number of associations between the given story and one or more referents of interest. A graphical representation of the stories may then be presented for display. The graphical representation may include indicia, where each indicium graphically indicates the strength of association between a given story and the one or more referents of interest. The strength of association for a given story may be determined, for example, based at least in part on the determined score for the story.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for personalized time-shifted programming. Digital content is retrieved, for example, from a digital library. Once retrieved, the content is stored locally, for example, on a personal computer. The locally stored content is transferred, in whole or in part, to a playback device that allows a user to listen to the content of the playback device. In one embodiment, the user may designate portions of a playback time provided by the playback device to various selections. For example, with a playback device that provides two hours of content, a user may wish to listen to one half hour of news, one half hour of a series and one hour of an book. Thus, the user may partition one quarter of playback time to each of news and the series and one half of the playback time to the book.

Abstract: A content processing service may analyze an item of original content and identify several objects, attributes of those objects, and relationships between those objects present in the item of original content. The content processing service may also analyze a source graph, such as a social graph or supplemental graph, and identify several objects, attributes of those objects, and relationships between those objects present in the source graph. The content processing service may customize the item of original content by selecting an original object and selecting a source graph object. One or more of the attributes or relationships of the selected original object in the item of original content may be replaced by one or more of the attributes or relationships of the selected source graph object, thereby forming an item of modified content.

Abstract: A content processing service may analyze an item of original content and identify several objects, attributes of those objects, and relationships between those objects present in the item of original content. The content processing service may also analyze a source graph, such as a social graph or supplemental graph, and identify several objects, attributes of those objects, and relationships between objects present in the source graph. The content processing service may customize the item of original content by selecting an original object and selecting a source graph object. One or more of the attributes or relationships of the selected original object in the item of original content may be replaced by one or more of the attributes or relationships of the selected source graph object. To customize items of audio content, audio content associated with the source graph object may replace audio content associated with the target graph object.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing narration audio data. In some embodiments, a portion of transcript text comprising words to be narrated by a user may be displayed. Initial narration audio data comprising words of the displayed transcript text may be received. In some embodiments, an indication of a portion of the transcript text to be re-recorded may be received. Replacement narration audio data corresponding to the portion of the transcript text to be re-recorded may be received, and the replacement narration audio data may be incorporated into the initial narration audio data.

Abstract: A computing device may provide an interface that enables a user to playback audio content including supplemental information. The supplemental information may correspond, for example, to endnotes, footnotes, glossaries, appendices, commentary from an author, editor, or other party, or to additional supplemental information. During playback of the audio content, a user may indicate that an item of supplemental information associated with a current playback position of the audio content should be played. In some embodiments, this indication may be in response to an indication to the user that supplemental information is available. The device may then playback the supplemental information associated with the current playback position.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to one or more configured computing systems identifying companion content and supplemental content for a base content. Companion content may include, for example, video adaptations of the base content. Supplemental content may include content referenced or related in subject matter to the base content. Information regarding companion content may be utilized to enable a user to interchangeably or synchronously present either a base content (e.g., an eBook or audio book) with the companion content (e.g., a movie adaptation). Information regarding supplemental content may be utilized to present the supplemental content during consumption of a base content, or to save supplemental content for later viewing.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to one or more configured computing systems identifying companion content and supplemental content for a base content. Companion content may include, for example, video adaptations of the base content. Supplemental content may include content referenced or related in subject matter to the base content. Information regarding companion content may be utilized to enable a user to interchangeably or synchronously present either a base content (e.g., an eBook or audio book) with the companion content (e.g., a movie adaptation). Information regarding supplemental content may be utilized to present the supplemental content during consumption of a base content, or to save supplemental content for later viewing.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to one or more configured computing systems identifying when decoupled content includes a companion content pair (e.g., a first content and a second content) that can be synchronously or interchangeably presented. Further, aspects of the present disclosure relate to notifying a user of the availability of companion content. Notifications can be displayed to a user at any number of notifications triggers that indicate the user may be interested in acquiring companion content. Further, notifications may correspond to an offer to acquire at least a portion of companion content, such as a trial of the companion content. If a user accepts such an offer, synchronization information may be used to begin presentation of the companion content from a last consumed position of a corresponding first content.