Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a remote control comprising a housing comprising a first and second housing portion, wherein the first housing portion is coupled to the second housing portion and is configurable in at least two positions, a touchpad, a keypad, a processor configured to receive control signals from the touch pad and the keypad, and an RF transmitter configured to transmit signals from the processor to the computer system, wherein, in a first configuration of the remote control, the first housing portion is configured to be manipulated to a first position and the remote control is configured to operate in a first mode of operation, and wherein, in a second configuration of the remote control, the first housing portion is configured to be manipulated to a second position, and wherein the remote control is configured to operate in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for configuring a portable computer for transient use by a plurality of guests at a selected location. According to some embodiments, the system and methods include displaying a first selection of content on a display screen of the portable computer, initiating a first session responsive to a first guest accessing the portable computer via a user interface of the portable computer, creating a first guest profile responsive to the first session being initiated, displaying a second selection of content on the display screen during the first session, the second selection of content comprising more available content than the first selection of content, terminating the first session responsive to one of a termination action taken by the first guest and expiration of a time-out period, and erasing history of the first session on the portable computer responsive to termination of the first session.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for configuring a portable computer for transient use by a plurality of guests at a selected location. According to some embodiments, the system and methods include displaying a first selection of content on a display screen of the portable computer, initiating a first session responsive to a first guest accessing the portable computer via a user interface of the portable computer, creating a first guest profile responsive to the first session being initiated, displaying a second selection of content on the display screen during the first session, the second selection of content comprising more available content than the first selection of content, terminating the first session responsive to one of a termination action taken by the first guest and expiration of a time-out period, and erasing history of the first session on the portable computer responsive to termination of the first session.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a computer system comprising a base station having a communication interface adapted to communicate with an external network, an external display device configured to receive output display signals from the base station, a user interface displayed on the external display device and generated in response to the output display signals, wherein the user interface is selectively configurable in one of a plurality of modes of content, and a remote control configured to interact with the user interface displayed by the external display device, wherein the remote control is selectively operable in at least two configurations and wherein the selectively operable remote is configured to permit a user to select for display on the external display device one of the plurality of modes of content of the user interface based on the selected configuration of the remote control.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a web optimized user device is provided. The web optimized device reduces complexity and facilitates interaction with web-based services and content. The web optimized device can be configured without a hard drive, facilitating integration of web-based services into a computing experience. The web optimized device presents a user interface that integrates video chat functionality into every aspect of the computer content accessed. In particular, a display manager manages the user interface presented and integrates video chat displays and features into the content displays in a content and/or context aware manner. These displays permit a user to intuitively interact with the video chat content and features while the user changes content, for example, web-based services, web-based applications, and other media content, without interruption of or interference from the video chat content.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a web optimized user device is provided. The web optimized device reduces complexity and facilitates interaction with web-based services and content. The web optimized device can be configured without a hard drive, facilitating integration of web-based services into a computing experience. The web optimized device presents a user interface that integrates video chat functionality into every aspect of the computer content accessed. In particular, a display manager manages the user interface presented and integrates video chat displays and features into the content displays in a content and/or context aware manner. These displays permit a user to intuitively interact with the video chat content and features while the user changes content, for example, web-based services, web-based applications, and other media content, without interruption of or interference from the video chat content.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for contextually providing services via a portable computer at a selected location. According to some embodiments, the systems and methods include processes for determining location-specific information about the selected location, determining status information about a user of the portable computer interface, and displaying an available service to the user on a display screen of the portable computer, the available service being selected based on the location-specific information and the status information, configuring a portable computer for transient use by a plurality of guests at a selected location.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for configuring a portable computer for transient use by a plurality of guests at a selected location. According to some embodiments, the system and methods include displaying a first selection of content on a display screen of the portable computer, initiating a first session responsive to a first guest accessing the portable computer via a user interface of the portable computer, creating a first guest profile responsive to the first session being initiated, displaying a second selection of content on the display screen during the first session, the second selection of content comprising more available content than the first selection of content, terminating the first session responsive to one of a termination action taken by the first guest and expiration of a time-out period, and erasing history of the first session on the portable computer responsive to termination of the first session.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a web optimized user device is provided. The web optimized device reduces complexity and facilitates interaction with web-based services and content. The web optimized device can be configured without a hard drive, facilitating integration of web-based services into a computing experience. The web optimized device presents a user interface that integrates video chat functionality into every aspect of the computer content accessed. In particular, a display manager manages the user interface presented and integrates video chat displays and features into the content displays in a content and/or context aware manner. These displays permit a user to intuitively interact with the video chat content and features while the user changes content, for example, web-based services, web-based applications, and other media content, without interruption of or interference from the video chat content.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a web optimized user device is provided. The web optimized device reduces complexity and facilitates interaction with web-based services and content. The web optimized device can be configured without a hard drive, facilitating integration of web-based services into a computing experience. The web optimized device presents a user interface that integrates video chat functionality into every aspect of the computer content accessed. In particular, a display manager manages the user interface presented and integrates video chat displays and features into the content displays in a content and/or context aware manner. These displays permit a user to intuitively interact with the video chat content and features while the user changes content, for example, web-based services, web-based applications, and other media content, without interruption of or interference from the video chat content.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a web optimized user device is provided. The web optimized device reduces complexity and facilitates interaction with web-based services and content. The web optimized device can be configured without a hard drive, facilitating integration of web-based services into a computing experience. The web optimized device presents a user interface that integrates video chat functionality into every aspect of the computer content accessed. In particular, a display manager manages the user interface presented and integrates video chat displays and features into the content displays in a content and/or context aware manner. These displays permit a user to intuitively interact with the video chat content and features while the user changes content, for example, web-based services, web-based applications, and other media content, without interruption of or interference from the video chat content.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method comprising acts of providing an interface in the computer system adapted to be connected to an external display device and providing a controller in the computer system. The controller may be adapted to transmit output display signals to the external display device, wherein the output display signals are configured to generate a user interface, receive, from the external display device, external display device identification information, determine whether the external display device was previously connected to the computer system; and in response to determining that the external display device was previously connected to the computer system, automatically configure a layout of the user interface to display within a previously defined display area of the external display device and automatically compensate the layout of the user interface for a previously defined overscan region of the external display device.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a computer system comprising a base station having a communication interface adapted to communicate with an external network, an external display device configured to receive output display signals from the base station, a user interface displayed on the external display device and generated in response to the output display signals, wherein the user interface is selectively configurable in one of a plurality of modes of content, and a remote control configured to interact with the user interface displayed by the external display device, wherein the remote control is selectively operable in at least two configurations and wherein the selectively operable remote is configured to permit a user to select for display on the external display device one of the plurality of modes of content of the user interface based on the selected configuration of the remote control.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a remote control comprising a housing comprising a first and second housing portion, wherein the first housing portion is coupled to the second housing portion and is configurable in at least two positions, a touchpad, a keypad, a processor configured to receive control signals from the touch pad and the keypad, and an RF transmitter configured to transmit signals from the processor to the computer system, wherein, in a first configuration of the remote control, the first housing portion is configured to be manipulated to a first position and the remote control is configured to operate in a first mode of operation, and wherein, in a second configuration of the remote control, the first housing portion is configured to be manipulated to a second position, and wherein the remote control is configured to operate in a second mode of operation.