Abstract: A system and method for facilitating social interactions between different individuals. Information available about each of the individuals engaged in a social interaction is used to provide a “social accelerator” for an interaction between the individuals. Social interactions are improved or accelerated by aggregating available information about individuals participating in an information system. When an interaction event trigger is received, the context of context for possible social interaction between the users around the trigger event is determined. A social accelerator is selected from available interest information common to the participating user and the target user, and the social accelerator is provided to one of the individuals.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating social interactions between different individuals. Information available about each of the individuals engaged in a social interaction is used to provide a “social accelerator” for an interaction between the individuals. Social interactions are improved or accelerated by aggregating available information about individuals participating in an information system. When an interaction event trigger is received, the context of context for possible social interaction between the users around the trigger event is determined. A social accelerator is selected from available interest information common to the participating user and the target user, and the social accelerator is provided to one of the individuals.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating social interactions between different individuals. Information available about each of the individuals engaged in a social interaction is used to provide a “social accelerator” for an interaction between the individuals. Social interactions are improved or accelerated by aggregating available information about individuals participating in an information system. When an interaction event trigger is received, the context of context for possible social interaction between the users around the trigger event is determined. A social accelerator is selected from available interest information common to the participating user and the target user, and the social accelerator is provided to one of the individuals.

Abstract: One or more persistent customized social media environments are created allowing users to share content or an activity. The content or activity may comprise a shared media experience or shared participatory experience. Each user accessing the environment utilizes a device alone or in conjunction with other devices to complete a sharing experience. A persistent customized social media environment definition establishes a user environment which provides social networking services as well as content sharing and allows users who are connected to the persistent customized social media environment definition to experience instant messages, while those users who connect to the persistent customized social media environment at a later time will receive messages once they enter the environment.

Abstract: Techniques are described for performing telemetry based interactive content generation for online services. For example, telemetry data can be obtained from individual users of the online service and/or from multiple users of the online service (e.g., and processed to generate aggregate telemetry data). Other types of data can also be obtained, including service management data. Service management data can be generated from the users of the online service and can comprise user density information for virtual areas of the online service. Using telemetry data (e.g., user-specific telemetry data and/or aggregate telemetry data), service management data, and/or other types of data related to the online service, new interactive experiences can by dynamically created for the users of the online service.

Abstract: One or more persistent customized social media environments are created allowing users to share content or an activity. The content or activity may comprise a shared media experience or shared participatory experience. Each user accessing the environment utilizes a device alone or in conjunction with other devices to complete a sharing experience. A persistent customized social media environment definition establishes a user environment which provides social networking services as well as content sharing and allows users who are connected to the persistent customized social media environment definition to experience instant messages, while those users who connect to the persistent customized social media environment at a later time will receive messages once they enter the environment.

Abstract: One or more persistent customized social media environments are created allowing users to share content or an activity. The content or activity may comprise a shared media experience or shared participatory experience. Each user accessing the environment utilizes a device alone or in conjunction with other devices to complete a sharing experience. A persistent customized social media environment definition establishes a user environment which provides social networking services as well as content sharing and allows users who are connected to the persistent customized social media environment definition to experience instant messages, while those users who connect to the persistent customized social media environment at a later time will receive messages once they enter the environment.

Abstract: Techniques are described for performing telemetry based interactive content generation for online services. For example, telemetry data can be obtained from individual users of the online service and/or from multiple users of the online service (e.g., and processed to generate aggregate telemetry data). Other types of data can also be obtained, including service management data. Service management data can be generated from the users of the online service and can comprise user density information for virtual areas of the online service. Using telemetry data (e.g., user-specific telemetry data and/or aggregate telemetry data), service management data, and/or other types of data related to the online service, new interactive experiences can by dynamically created for the users of the online service.

Abstract: Techniques and tools for controlling public output devices (e.g., public display devices) with client devices over a network. In some examples, a time-limited proximity code is displayed by a public display device, and a client device can provide the code via a public network to verify that the client device is present within a proximity zone and is allowed to control the public display. Once authorized, the client device can provide control data to control visual content on the public display. A relay service can be used to relay data over a network via communication connections between client devices and public display devices. For example, the relay service can be implemented on a server connected to the network and can use HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) to relay data such as control data via messages from one device to another.

Abstract: A controller for a content presentation and interaction system which includes a primary content presentation device. The controller includes a tactile control input and a touch screen control input. The tactile control input is responsive to the inputs of a first user and communicatively coupled to the content presentation device. The controller a plurality of tactile input mechanisms and provides a first set of the plurality of control inputs manipulating content. The controller includes a touch screen control input responsive to the inputs of the first user and communicatively coupled to the content presentation device. The second controller is proximate the first controller and provides a second set of the plurality of control inputs. The second set of control inputs includes alternative inputs for at least some of the controls and additional inputs not available using the tactile input mechanisms.

Abstract: One or more persistent customized social media environments are created allowing users to share content or an activity. The content or activity may comprise a shared media experience or shared participatory experience. Each user accessing the environment utilizes a device alone or in conjunction with other devices to complete a sharing experience. A persistent customized social media environment definition establishes a user environment which provides social networking services as well as content sharing and allows users who are connected to the persistent customized social media environment definition to experience instant messages, while those users who connect to the persistent customized social media environment at a later time will receive messages once they enter the environment.

Abstract: Techniques and tools for controlling public output devices (e.g., public display devices) with client devices over a network. In some examples, a time-limited proximity code is displayed by a public display device, and a client device can provide the code via a public network to verify that the client device is present within a proximity zone and is allowed to control the public display. Once authorized, the client device can provide control data to control visual content on the public display. A relay service can be used to relay data over a network via communication connections between client devices and public display devices. For example, the relay service can be implemented on a server connected to the network and can use HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) to relay data such as control data via messages from one device to another.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating social interactions between different individuals. Information available about each of the individuals engaged in a social interaction is used to provide a “social accelerator” for an interaction between the individuals. Social interactions are improved or accelerated by aggregating available information about individuals participating in an information system. When an interaction event trigger is received, the context of context for possible social interaction between the users around the trigger event is determined. A social accelerator is selected from available interest information common to the participating user and the target user, and the social accelerator is provided to one of the individuals.