Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to provide user control over the manipulation of a digital image. The disclosed techniques enable a user to apply various textures that mimic traditional artistic media to a selected image. User selection of a texture level results in the blending of texturized versions of the selected image in accordance with the selected texture level. User selection of a color level results in the adjustment of color properties of the selected image that are included in the output image. Control of the image selection, texture type selection, texture level selection, and color level selection may be provided through an intuitive graphical user interface.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a shape may comprise one or more repeated graphic elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for presenting media content. Media content items are presented in a media ticker or a client application having a graphical user interface. Each presented item is displayed at one end of the ticker and then scrolls or moves toward the other end where it is removed. A content item may be manipulated in the ticker, to obtain a larger view of the item, open an application to access (e.g., play) the item, save the item, transmit it to another user, etc. Visual content items may be represented in the ticker by thumbnails or other versions of the content; other types of content (e.g., audio, document, multimedia) items may be represented by icons indicating the type of content. Content items belong to content channels to which a user may subscribe or which other users may be invited to subscribe to.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing content previews. One apparatus operates to display one or more user interface controls as a foreground against a background on a display device; receive user input resulting in a user interface state that has an associated action; and display as the background a preview of the associated action. In another aspect, the user input gives focus to a user interface control that has associated content; and a preview of the associated content is displayed without further action on the part of the user. In another aspect, user interface controls are displayed; and giving input focus to a particular user interface control that has associated content causes an apparatus to play a preview of the associated content without further action on the part of a user.