Abstract: An e-reader communication platform for integrating a chat function into an e-reader application is provided. The e-reader communication platform includes a processor programmed to upload, to a first client device associated with a first user, an e-book. The processor is also programmed to transmit a first IP chat message to a second client device associated with a second user to form a chat group including the first and second users. The processor is further programmed to receive a second IP chat message from the user interface of the e-reader application on the first client device, and embed the second IP chat message into the e-book to produce an embedded IP chat message. The embedded IP chat message is overlaid on the user interface of the e-reader application. The processor is further programmed to facilitate display of the embedded IP chat message to the chat group within the e-reader application.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for managing a group chat during an ecommerce session is provided. The method includes initiating a chat session between at least a first client computer device associated with a first participant and a second client computer device associated with a second participant, and sharing at least one view of an ecommerce website with the first client computer device and the second client computer device. The first client computer device and the second client computer device are configured to display the at least one view of the ecommerce website. The at least one view includes at least one purchasable item. The method also includes initiating a purchase transaction for the at least one purchasable item included in the at least one view, receiving payment information for the purchase transaction, and completing the purchase transaction based on the payment information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying effective purchase options for travel. One exemplary method includes accessing, by a computing device, calendar data for a user including a location and a time for an appointment; identifying, by the computing device, a first purchase option including travel from a prior location to the appointment location, so that the user is scheduled to arrive at the location of the appointment prior to the appointment time; identifying, by the computing device, a second purchase option including travel, different than the travel of the first purchase option, from the prior location to the location of the at least one appointment; determining, by the computing device, a fare associated with each of the purchase options; receiving, at the computing device, a selection of at least one of the purchase options; and publishing, by the computing device, the selected at least one of the purchase options.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for managing a group chat during an ecommerce session is provided. The method includes initiating a chat session between at least a first client computer device associated with a first participant and a second client computer device associated with a second participant, and sharing at least one view of an ecommerce website with the first client computer device and the second client computer device. The first client computer device and the second client computer device are configured to display the at least one view of the ecommerce website. The at least one view includes at least one purchasable item. The method also includes initiating a purchase transaction for the at least one purchasable item included in the at least one view, receiving payment information for the purchase transaction, and completing the purchase transaction based on the payment information.

Abstract: An e-reader communication platform for integrating a chat function into an e-reader application is provided. The e-reader communication platform includes a processor programmed to upload, to a first client device associated with a first user, an e-book. The processor is also programmed to transmit a first IP chat message to a second client device associated with a second user to form a chat group including the first and second users. The processor is further programmed to receive a second IP chat message from the user interface of the e-reader application on the first client device, and embed the second IP chat message into the e-book to produce an embedded IP chat message. The embedded IP chat message is overlaid on the user interface of the e-reader application. The processor is further programmed to facilitate display of the embedded IP chat message to the chat group within the e-reader application.