Abstract: Streaming of a media asset from a cloud server computer to a media playback device is disclosed. In an embodiment, a list of media assets stored in the cloud server computer is sent over network from the cloud server computer to a portable device. In another embodiment, the list is transferred via close-range communication to the portable device from the media playback device which received the list from the cloud server computer over network. In the embodiments, a media asset is started streaming over network from the cloud server computer to the media playback device responsive to selection of one of the listed media assets at the portable device. In some embodiments, streaming is redirected from the portable device to the media playback device responsive to a user's operation or in case of disconnection.

Abstract: Automatic or autonomous setup of an application program (e.g., App01.exe) is disclosed. App01.exe is programmed or configured to be installed and run on a portable computing device for communicating with another computer program resident on an appliance over a close-range wireless communication. In some embodiments, upon discovery of the appliance on the close-range wireless communication, the portable computing device autonomously downloads App01.exe from the appliance over the close-range wireless communication. In some embodiments, the portable computing device performs the autonomous download of App01.exe only when App01.exe is not installed on the portable computing device. In some embodiments, the portable computing device autonomously downloads App01.exe over the Internet from a remote server computer that is accessible by the portable computing device with reference to the uniform resource identifier (URI) of the server computer that is provided by the appliance.

Abstract: In an aspect, collaboration of first and second browsers respectively resident on first and second computing devices is disclosed. A first world wide web (WWW) browser on a first computing device, such as a portable smartphone carried by a user outdoors, responds to a user request for download of a media content from an online resource by requesting a second WWW browser on a second computing device, such as a personal computer located at a user's home, to locally download the media content over network. In another aspect, improved retrieval of web pages by a WWW browser is disclosed. The WWW browser automatically and preliminarily retrieves and cashes other one or more web pages hyperlinked to a web page in parallel to rendering the web page, for speedy access to the cashed web pages.

Abstract: A user interface at a computing device with a sensitive display is disclosed. A dialog is popped up, on the sensitive display, at a position that is predetermined pixels away from the position of hover or a tap of an object detected by the sensitive display. A menu for operation of a computer program is displayed responsive to such hover being detected above a predetermined location within a screen of the computer program on the sensitive display. An assistance object for assisting a tappable object to be tapped is displayed responsive to such hover being detected above the tappable object on the sensitive display. A tappable object is emphasized responsive to such hover being detected above the tappable object on the sensitive display.

Abstract: Streaming of a media asset from a cloud server computer to a media playback device is disclosed. In an embodiment, a list of media assets stored in the cloud server computer is sent over network from the cloud server computer to a portable device. In another embodiment, the list is transferred via close-range communication to the portable device from the media playback device which received the list from the cloud server computer over network. In the embodiments, a media asset is started streaming over network from the cloud server computer to the media playback device responsive to selection of one of the listed media assets at the portable device. In some embodiments, streaming is redirected from the portable device to the media playback device responsive to a user's operation or in case of disconnection.

Abstract: Streaming of a media asset from a cloud server computer to a media playback device is disclosed. In an embodiment, a list of media assets stored in the cloud server computer is sent over network from the cloud server computer to a portable device. In another embodiment, the list is transferred via close-range communication to the portable device from the media playback device which received the list from the cloud server computer over network. In the embodiments, a media asset is started streaming over network from the cloud server computer to the media playback device responsive to selection of one of the listed media assets at the portable device. In some embodiments, streaming is redirected from the portable device to the media playback device responsive to a user's operation or in case of disconnection.

Abstract: Streaming of a media asset from a cloud server computer to a media playback device is disclosed. In an embodiment, a list of media assets stored in the cloud server computer is sent over network from the cloud server computer to a portable device. In another embodiment, the list is transferred via close-range communication to the portable device from the media playback device which received the list from the cloud server computer over network. In the embodiments, a media asset is started streaming over network from the cloud server computer to the media playback device responsive to selection of one of the listed media assets at the portable device. In some embodiments, streaming is redirected from the portable device to the media playback device responsive to a user's operation or in case of disconnection.

Abstract: A user interface at a computing device with a sensitive display is disclosed. A dialog is popped up, on the sensitive display, at a position that is predetermined pixels away from the position of hover or a tap of an object detected by the sensitive display. A menu for operation of a computer program is displayed responsive to such hover being detected above a predetermined location within a screen of the computer program on the sensitive display. An assistance object for assisting a tappable object to be tapped is displayed responsive to such hover being detected above the tappable object on the sensitive display. A tappable object is emphasized responsive to such hover being detected above the tappable object on the sensitive display.

Abstract: Streaming of a media asset from a cloud server computer to a media playback device is disclosed. In an embodiment, a list of media assets stored in the cloud server computer is sent over network from the cloud server computer to a portable device. In another embodiment, the list is transferred via close-range communication to the portable device from the media playback device which received the list from the cloud server computer over network. In the embodiments, a media asset is started streaming over network from the cloud server computer to the media playback device responsive to selection of one of the listed media assets at the portable device. In some embodiments, streaming is redirected from the portable device to the media playback device responsive to a user's operation or in case of disconnection.