Abstract: A system and method for controlling media through a user interface integrated within a taskbar is described. This system and method enable a user to control media while a user interface of another application remains in perspective. Further, this system includes a taskbar media player, which can play media and enable a user to control the play of that media from within a taskbar.

Abstract: A map application is provided that receives calendars from one or more sources. Each calendar may include events, and each event may be associated with a location and a time period. The events may be a temporary event that may impact traffic around the location of the event for the time period associated with the event. When a request for a route for a future trip is received by the map application, the map application may generate a route in response to the request. The map application may determine if any of the events associated with a calendar impact the route. An event may impact the route if the route passes near the location associated with the event during the time period associated with the event. If the route is impacted by an event, an alternative route is generated or a new time is recommended for the future trip.

Abstract: A map application is provided that receives calendars from one or more sources. Each calendar may include events, and each event may be associated with a location and a time period. The events may be a temporary event that may impact traffic around the location of the event for the time period associated with the event. When a request for a route for a future trip is received by the map application, the map application may generate a route in response to the request. The map application may determine if any of the events associated with a calendar impact the route. An event may impact the route if the route passes near the location associated with the event during the time period associated with the event. If the route is impacted by an event, an alternative route is generated or a new time is recommended for the future trip.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling media through a user interface integrated within a taskbar is described. This system and method enable a user to control media while a user interface of another application remains in perspective. Further, this system includes a taskbar media player, which can play media and enable a user to control the play of that media from within a taskbar.

Abstract: Calculating an optimal route based on specified intermediate stops is described herein. A mapping application is configured to compute a route from a start point to an end point in dependence upon criteria specifying one or more intermediate stops. The initial route determination incorporates consideration of the one or more specified intermediate stops as part of calculating the route. In one example, a request is received to search for an intermediate stop that satisfies search criteria indicating at least a type of location. In response to the search, search results are obtained with multiple options for routes between the start point and end point including intermediate stops that satisfy the search criteria. An optimal route is selected from the multiple options based upon defined optimization criteria. Optimization criteria may include but is not limited to distance, travel time, traffic data, weather conditions, date and time, and so forth.

Abstract: Constrained-transportation directions are described herein. In one or more implementations, navigation assistance is provided for a user that is traveling on constrained transportation. As part of computing the directions, a determination is initially made that the user is traveling on constrained transportation, which may be restricted to traveling along designated routes and stopping at predetermined stops. Based on this determination, parameters indicative of restrictions to the route the user is traveling onboard the constrained transportation are ascertained, such as parameters describing a “line” of a current vehicle, a schedule of the vehicle, and a current location of the user along the vehicle's known route. Using these parameters, rather than merely a location of the user when the directions are requested, directions to a desired location are computed. In this way, users can be presented directions that account for being on a constrained-route vehicle at the time a route is requested.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling media through a user interface integrated within a taskbar is described. This system and method enable a user to control media while a user interface of another application remains in perspective. Further, this system includes a taskbar media player, which can play media and enable a user to control the play of that media from within a taskbar.

Abstract: A map application is provided that receives calendars from one or more sources. Each calendar may include events, and each event may be associated with a location and a time period. The events may be a temporary event that may impact traffic around the location of the event for the time period associated with the event. When a request for a route for a future trip is received by the map application, the map application may generate a route in response to the request. The map application may determine if any of the events associated with a calendar impact the route. An event may impact the route if the route passes near the location associated with the event during the time period associated with the event. If the route is impacted by an event, an alternative route is generated or a new time is recommended for the future trip.

Abstract: Calculating an optimal route based on specified intermediate stops is described herein. A mapping application is configured to compute a route from a start point to an end point in dependence upon criteria specifying one or more intermediate stops. The initial route determination incorporates consideration of the one or more specified intermediate stops as part of calculating the route. In one example, a request is received to search for an intermediate stop that satisfies search criteria indicating at least a type of location. In response to the search, search results are obtained with multiple options for routes between the start point and end point including intermediate stops that satisfy the search criteria. An optimal route is selected from the multiple options based upon defined optimization criteria. Optimization criteria may include but is not limited to distance, travel time, traffic data, weather conditions, date and time, and so forth.

Abstract: Constrained-transportation directions are described herein. In one or more implementations, navigation assistance is provided for a user that is traveling on constrained transportation. As part of computing the directions, a determination is initially made that the user is traveling on constrained transportation, which may be restricted to traveling along designated routes and stopping at predetermined stops. Based on this determination, parameters indicative of restrictions to the route the user is traveling onboard the constrained transportation are ascertained, such as parameters describing a “line” of a current vehicle, a schedule of the vehicle, and a current location of the user along the vehicle's known route. Using these parameters, rather than merely a location of the user when the directions are requested, directions to a desired location are computed. In this way, users can be presented directions that account for being on a constrained-route vehicle at the time a route is requested.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling media through a user interface integrated within a taskbar is described. This system and method enable a user to control media while a user interface of another application remains in perspective. Further, this system includes a taskbar media player, which can play media and enable a user to control the play of that media from within a taskbar.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling media through a user interface integrated within a taskbar is described. This system and method enable a user to control media while a user interface of another application remains in perspective. Further, this system includes a taskbar media player, which can play media and enable a user to control the play of that media from within a taskbar.

Abstract: A system and method for switching presentation of media between two or more processes without interruption is described. This system and method can enable a user to enjoy media presented in a process and then switch the presentation of that media to another process without interruption in the media. Further, this system and method can enable a user to switch back and forth between media presentation within one application and another application without interruption.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling media through a user interface integrated within a taskbar is described. This system and method enable a user to control media while a user interface of another application remains in perspective. Further, this system includes a taskbar media player, which can play media and enable a user to control the play of that media from within a taskbar.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling media through a user interface integrated within a taskbar is described. This system and method enable a user to control media while a user interface of another application remains in perspective. Further, this system includes a taskbar media player, which can play media and enable a user to control the play of that media from within a taskbar.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling media through a user interface integrated within a taskbar is described. This system and method enable a user to control media while a user interface of another application remains in perspective. Further, this system includes a taskbar media player, which can play media and enable a user to control the play of that media from within a taskbar.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling media through a user interface integrated within a taskbar is described. This system and method enable a user to control media while a user interface of another application remains in perspective. Further, this system includes a taskbar media player, which can play media and enable a user to control the play of that media from within a taskbar.

Abstract: A system and method for switching presentation of media between two or more processes without interruption is described. This system and method can enable a user to enjoy media presented in a process and then switch the presentation of that media to another process without interruption in the media. Further, this system and method can enable a user to switch back and forth between media presentation within one application and another application without interruption.

Abstract: A system and method for switching presentation of media between two or more processes without interruption is described. This system and method can enable a user to enjoy media presented in a process and then switch the presentation of that media to another process without interruption in the media. Further, this system and method can enable a user to switch back and forth between media presentation within one application and another application without interruption.

Abstract: A system and method for switching presentation of media between two or more processes without interruption is described. This system and method can enable a user to enjoy media presented in a process and then switch the presentation of that media to another process without interruption in the media. Further, this system and method can enable a user to switch back and forth between media presentation within one application and another application without interruption.