Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for capturing, organizing, sharing, and/or displaying media. For example, using embodiments of the disclosed technology, a unified playback and browsing experience for a collection of media can be created automatically. For instance, heuristics and metadata can be used to assemble and add narratives to the media data. Furthermore, this representation of media can recompose itself dynamically as more media is added to the collection. While a collection may use a single user's content, sometimes media that is desirable to include in the collection is captured by friends and/or others at the same event. In certain embodiments, media content related to the event can be automatically collected and shared among selected groups. Further, in some embodiments, new media can be automatically incorporated into a media collection associated with the event, and the playback experience dynamically updated.

Abstract: A computing device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet computer, digital camera, or other device with image capture functionality) causes an image capture device to capture one or more digital images based on audio input (e.g., a voice command) received by the computing device. For example, a user's voice (e.g., a word or phrase) is converted to audio input data by the computing device, which then compares (e.g., using an audio matching algorithm) the audio input data to an expected voice command associated with an image capture application. In another aspect, a computing device activates an image capture application and captures one or more digital images based on a received voice command. In another aspect, a computing device transitions from a low-power state to an active state, activates an image capture application, and causes a camera device to capture digital images based on a received voice command.

Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for controlling an audio signal of a mobile device. For example, information indicative of acceleration of the mobile device can be received and correlation between the information indicative of acceleration and exemplar whack event data can be determined. An audio signal of the mobile device can be controlled based on the correlation.

Abstract: Electronic devices, interfaces for electronic devices, and techniques for interacting with such interfaces and electronic devices are described. For instance, this disclosure describes an example electronic device that includes sensors, such as multiple front-facing cameras to detect orientation and/or location of the electronic device relative to an object and one or more inertial sensors. Users of the device may perform gestures on the device by moving the device in-air and/or by moving their head, face, or eyes relative to the device. In response to these gestures, the device may perform operations.

Abstract: Electronic devices, interfaces for electronic devices, and techniques for interacting with such interfaces and electronic devices are described. For instance, this disclosure describes an example electronic device that includes sensors, such as multiple front-facing cameras to detect orientation and/or location of the electronic device relative to an object and one or more inertial sensors. Users of the device may perform gestures on the device by moving the device in-air and/or by moving their head, face, or eyes relative to the device. In response to these gestures, the device may perform operations.

Abstract: A computing device can utilize a recognition mode wherein an interface utilizes graphical elements, such as virtual fireflies or other such elements, to indicate objects that are recognized or identified. As objects are recognized, fireflies perform one or more specified actions to indicate recognition. A ribbon or other user-selectable icon is displayed indicates a specific action that the device can perform with respect to the respective object. As additional objects are recognized, additional ribbons are created and older ribbons can be moved off screen and stored for subsequent retrieval or search. The fireflies disperse when the objects are no longer represented in captured sensor data, and can be animated to move towards representations of new objects as features of those objects are identified as potential object features, in order to communicate a level of recognition for a current scene or environment.

Abstract: Electronic devices, interfaces for electronic devices, and techniques for interacting with such interfaces and electronic devices are described. For instance, this disclosure describes an example electronic device that includes sensors, such as multiple front-facing cameras to detect orientation and/or location of the electronic device relative to an object and one or more inertial sensors. Users of the device may perform gestures on the device by moving the device in-air and/or by moving their head, face, or eyes relative to the device. In response to these gestures, the device may perform operations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mobile phone and a method for answering such a phone automatically without user input. In one embodiment, the mobile phone detects that a call is being received. A proximity sensor is then used to detect the presence of a nearby object. For example, this allows a determination to be made whether the mobile phone is within a pocket of the user while the phone is ringing. Then a determination is made whether the proximity sensor changes states. For example, if a user removes the phone from their pocket, the proximity sensor switches from detecting something proximal to detecting that the phone is no longer in the user's pocket. Next, a determination is made whether the proximity sensor is again next to an object, such as an ear. If so, the mobile phone can be automatically answered without further user input.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mobile phone and a method for answering such a phone automatically without user input. In one embodiment, the mobile phone detects that a call is being received. A proximity sensor is then used to detect the presence of a nearby object. For example, this allows a determination to be made whether the mobile phone is within a pocket of the user while the phone is ringing. Then a determination is made whether the proximity sensor changes states. For example, if a user removes the phone from their pocket, the proximity sensor switches from detecting something proximal to detecting that the phone is no longer in the user's pocket. Next, a determination is made whether the proximity sensor is again next to an object, such as an ear. If so, the mobile phone can be automatically answered without further user input.

Abstract: A computing device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet computer, digital camera, or other device with image capture functionality) causes an image capture device to capture one or more digital images based on audio input (e.g., a voice command) received by the computing device. For example, a user's voice (e.g., a word or phrase) is converted to audio input data by the computing device, which then compares (e.g., using an audio matching algorithm) the audio input data to an expected voice command associated with an image capture application. In another aspect, a computing device activates an image capture application and captures one or more digital images based on a received voice command. In another aspect, a computing device transitions from a low-power state to an active state, activates an image capture application, and causes a camera device to capture digital images based on a received voice command.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for capturing, organizing, sharing, and/or displaying media. For example, using embodiments of the disclosed technology, a unified playback and browsing experience for a collection of media can be created automatically. For instance, heuristics and metadata can be used to assemble and add narratives to the media data. Furthermore, this representation of media can recompose itself dynamically as more media is added to the collection. While a collection may use a single user's content, sometimes media that is desirable to include in the collection is captured by friends and/or others at the same event. In certain embodiments, media content related to the event can be automatically collected and shared among selected groups. Further, in some embodiments, new media can be automatically incorporated into a media collection associated with the event, and the playback experience dynamically updated.

Abstract: A method to expose status information is provided. The status information is associated with metadata extracted from multimedia files and stored in a metadata database. The metadata information that is extracted from the multimedia files is stored in a read queue to allow a background thread to process the metadata and populate the metadata database. Additionally, the metadata database may be updated to include user-define metadata, which is written back to the multimedia files. The user-defined metadata is included in a write queue and is written to the multimedia files associated with the user-defined metadata. The status of the read and write queues are exposed to a user through a graphical user interface. The status may include the list of multimedia files included in the read and write queues, the priorities of each multimedia file, and the number of remaining multimedia files.

Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for controlling an audio signal of a mobile device. For example, information indicative of acceleration of the mobile device can be received and correlation between the information indicative of acceleration and exemplar whack event data can be determined. An audio signal of the mobile device can be controlled based on the correlation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mobile phone and a method for answering such a phone automatically without user input. In one embodiment, the mobile phone detects that a call is being received. A proximity sensor is then used to detect the presence of a nearby object. For example, this allows a determination to be made whether the mobile phone is within a pocket of the user while the phone is ringing. Then a determination is made whether the proximity sensor changes states. For example, if a user removes the phone from their pocket, the proximity sensor switches from detecting something proximal to detecting that the phone is no longer in the user's pocket. Next, a determination is made whether the proximity sensor is again next to an object, such as an ear. If so, the mobile phone can be automatically answered without further user input.

Abstract: A navigation user interface displays a route to be navigated over a road view map. If a user selects a particular segment of the displayed route, text-based directions associated with the particular route segment are displayed, with a selectable area to return to the map view. Additionally, as the road view map is zoomed in, when the zoom level reaches a threshold zoom level, the navigation user interface automatically transitions to displaying a satellite view map overlaid with at least a portion of the route to be navigated.

Abstract: A method to expose status information is provided. The status information is associated with metadata extracted from multimedia files and stored in a metadata database. The metadata information that is extracted from the multimedia files is stored in a read queue to allow a background thread to process the metadata and populate the metadata database. Additionally, the metadata database may be updated to include user-define metadata, which is written back to the multimedia files. The user-defined metadata is included in a write queue and is written to the multimedia files associated with the user-defined metadata. The status of the read and write queues are exposed to a user through a graphical user interface. The status may include the list of multimedia files included in the read and write queues, the priorities of each multimedia file, and the number of remaining multimedia files.

Abstract: A method to expose status information is provided. The status information is associated with metadata extracted from multimedia files and stored in a metadata database. The metadata information that is extracted from the multimedia files is stored in a read queue to allow a background thread to process the metadata and populate the metadata database. Additionally, the metadata database may be updated to include user-define metadata, which is written back to the multimedia files. The user-defined metadata is included in a write queue and is written to the multimedia files associated with the user-defined metadata. The status of the read and write queues are exposed to a user through a graphical user interface. The status may include the list of multimedia files included in the read and write queues, the priorities of each multimedia file, and the number of remaining multimedia files.

Abstract: A method and system to manage rendering of multimedia content are provided. A theme specifies a collection of layouts defining multimedia content placement. The multimedia content is processed to extract one or more characteristics. The layouts are selected and populated with multimedia content based on the one or more characteristics associated with the multimedia content. The multimedia content is rendered by transitioning through the selected layouts.

Abstract: A system, a method and computer-readable media for presenting groups of items to a user. Items are divided into groups, and a group header is associated with each group. The items and group headers are presented on a screen display, and the displayed content is subject to navigational requests from a user. When one of the group headers is located near an edge of the screen display, its position is fixed to prevent the header from being removed from the screen display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for digital negatives are described. In one aspect, a digital negative is created on a computing device from a digital image. The digital image is linked to the digital negative. In response to a save operation associated with the digital image, a new digital image is generated and bi-directionally connected to the digital negative. In response to a revert operation associated with the new digital image, contents of the new digital image are replaced with contents of the digital negative.