Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for intuitive multitasking. An indication may be received at a first device, of an incoming request for electronic communication received at a second device. A user may utilize a user interface of the first device to accept or decline the request for electronic communication received at the second device. The communication may be a phone call, short message service message, email, and/or the like. A first user interface area may be associated with a first device, and a second user interface area may be associated with the second device. The first and second interfaces areas may be provided concurrently on the first device to enable the user to interact with the second device using the user interface of the first device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for intuitive multitasking. An indication may be received at a first device, of an incoming request for electronic communication received at a second device. A user may utilize a user interface of the first device to accept or decline the request for electronic communication received at the second device. The communication may be a phone call, short message service message, email, and/or the like. A first user interface area may be associated with a first device, and a second user interface area may be associated with the second device. The first and second interfaces areas may be provided concurrently on the first device to enable the user to interact with the second device using the user interface of the first device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for intuitive multitasking. In the context of a method, a method is provided that includes causing a first user interface associated with a first device, a first application, or a first view of a single application to be presented, the first user interface defining an initial user interface area. The method further includes causing a second user interface associated with a second device, a second application, or a second view of the single application to be presented, the second user interface being at least partially within the initial user interface area. The method may also include causing the first user interface to be presented concurrent with the second user interface so as to define a resized user interface area that is smaller than the initial user interface area and is at least partially within the initial user interface area.

Abstract: A portable device to determine whether a user is holding the portable device, launch a mode of operation of the portable device if the user is holding the portable device, and modify an amount of power supplied to a component of the portable device based on the mode of operation.

Abstract: A computing device is provided that includes a plurality of user-interactive mechanisms. The computing device may also include a universal communication port that is capable of receiving a connection from a device that belongs to any one of a plurality of device classes or types. The device may be equipped or configured with logic. The logic may configure or otherwise enable an operative state of user-interface mechanisms on the device. Additionally, the logic may (i) detect a connected device that connects to the universal communication port, and (ii) determine a set of functionality that the connected device is capable of performing when connected to the universal communication port. The logic may perform, or cause performance, of operations that are for use with or by the connected device.

Abstract: Apparatus and corresponding methods for storing video information. The apparatus includes a means for receiving video information, a means for converting the received video information into digital video information, and a means for storing the digital video information. Converting the received video information into digital video information can include converting it into an MPEG-compatible digital format. The apparatus can include an MPEG-compatible digital encoder, which can include separate audio and video MPEG encoders. The digital video information can be stored on an electromagnetically writable disk drive with an optimized MPEG file system (OMFS) configured to receive the digital video information and store the digital video information on the disk drive, where the OMFS is configured to divide the received digital video information into one or more packets, each packet having the same number of bytes as a sector on a disk in the disk drive.

Abstract: A mobile computing device configured to communicate with an audio device comprises an interface circuit, a memory configured to store a plurality of sets of audio parameters for a device type, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a device identifier, select one of the plurality of audio parameter sets based on the device identifier, generate an audio signal using the selected audio parameters, and transmit the audio signal to the audio device using the interface circuit.

Abstract: A system for providing positioning functionality in an apparatus without having to implement dedicated hardware. An apparatus that desires to receive directional information may receive a message from another apparatus (e.g., access point or AP). The AP may operate in various modes that, for example, may provide directional information to other apparatuses as part of a general broadcast (e.g., a wireless local area network, or WLAN, beacon signal) or in response to messages requesting directional information that are received from other apparatuses. After receiving the message from the AP, the apparatus may determine if the message comprises directional information. If the message is determined to comprise directional information, directional information from the received message may be utilized to determine apparatus location. Otherwise, the apparatus may then send a message requesting directional information to the AP, which may prompt the AP to provide directional information.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for intuitive multitasking. In the context of a method, a method is provided that includes causing a first user interface associated with a first device, a first application, or a first view of a single application to be presented, the first user interface defining an initial user interface area. The method further includes causing a second user interface associated with a second device, a second application, or a second view of the single application to be presented, the second user interface being at least partially within the initial user interface area. The method may also include causing the first user interface to be presented concurrent with the second user interface so as to define a resized user interface area that is smaller than the initial user interface area and is at least partially within the initial user interface area.

Abstract: A video data recordable having integrated channel guides allowing a user to control recording and storage of television signals into personal channels for later playback and viewing. In the described embodiment, the user may specify criteria for recording of shows from an input source such as a broadcast signal and shows are then selected based on the user specified criteria and recorded for later playback. Storage of the shows may be organized into personal channels in order to facilitate later playback, e.g., the user may specify a channel of action movies, a channel of nature programming, a channel for sports, etc. The shows to be recorded may also have a predefined format which may be used to ease playback of recorded programming by allowing the user to easily locate and playback sections of programming of interest.

Abstract: A mobile computing device (‘MCD’) and docking station (‘dock’) are individually equipped with features and components that enable charging/power signals to be communicated from the dock to the MCD without use of connectors. Other embodiments provide for the MCD or the dock to identify an orientation of the MCD as retained on the docking station. As an addition or alternative, magnetic coupling may be used to maintain and/or orient the two devices in a mated position.

Abstract: A system for providing positioning functionality in an apparatus without having to implement dedicated hardware. An apparatus that desires to receive directional information may receive a message from another apparatus (e.g., access point or AP). The AP may operate in various modes that, for example, may provide directional information to other apparatuses as part of a general broadcast (e.g., a wireless local area network, or WLAN, beacon signal) or in response to messages requesting directional information that are received from other apparatuses. After receiving the message from the AP, the apparatus may determine if the message comprises directional information. If the message is determined to comprise directional information, directional information from the received message may be utilized to determine apparatus location. Otherwise, the apparatus may then send a message requesting directional information to the AP, which may prompt the AP to provide directional information.

Abstract: A portable device to determine whether a user is holding the portable device, launch a mode of operation of the portable device if the user is holding the portable device, and modify an amount of power supplied to a component of the portable device based on the mode of operation.

Abstract: Versatile serial bus connectivity is provided for enabling detection and use of passive media output devices that connect to a host device through a serial bus connector. In addition, serial bus connectivity is extended to video output devices that can use analog video data.

Abstract: Various embodiments to reduce radio frequency noise are described. An apparatus may comprise a mobile computing device having a radio frequency noise reduction module to disable a radio frequency noise source in response to a receive active signal from a radio receiver. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Antenna sharing techniques are described. A mobile computing device may comprise an antenna, a switch to couple to the antenna, and multiple transceivers to couple to the switch. The mobile computing device may also comprise an antenna management module to couple to the switch and the transceivers. The antenna management module may control the switch to electrically connect one of the transceivers to the antenna. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method and apparatus for intelligent handheld device accessory support. A method of one embodiment includes sensing the presence of an accessory plug in a jack of the handheld device, determining a type of accessory device attached to the accessory plug, including receiving electrical signals from pins of the plug and based on the determination, configuring the handheld device, including assigning particular signals to pins of the plug.

Abstract: A video data recordable having integrated channel guides allowing a user to control recording and storage of television signals into personal channels for later playback and viewing. In the described embodiment, the user may specify criteria for recording of shows from an input source such as a broadcast signal and shows are then selected based on the user specified criteria and recorded for later playback. Storage of the shows may be organized into personal channels in order to facilitate later playback, e.g., the user may specify a channel of action movies, a channel of nature programming, a channel for sports, etc. The shows to be recorded may also have a predefined format which may be used to ease playback of recorded programming by allowing the user to easily locate and playback sections of programming of interest.

Abstract: A video data recordable having integrated channel guides allowing a user to control recording and storage of television signals into personal channels for later playback and viewing. In the described embodiment, the user may specify criteria for recording of shows from an input source such as a broadcast signal and shows are then selected based on the user specified criteria and recorded for later playback. Storage of the shows may be organized into personal channels in order to facilitate later playback, e.g., the user may specify a channel of action movies, a channel of nature programming, a channel for sports, etc. The shows to be recorded may also have a predefined format which may be used to ease playback of recorded programming by allowing the user to easily locate and playback sections of programming of interest.

Abstract: Versatile serial bus connectivity is provided for enabling detection and use of passive media output devices that connect to a host device through a serial bus connector. In addition, serial bus connectivity is extended to video output devices that can use analog video data.