Abstract: A first portion of programming aired prior to a first time is obtained via a unicast session with a server, the first portion including previously aired programming. When the programming data being sent via the unicast session catches up to a multicast broadcast of the programming, the unicast session is terminated and a switch is made to obtaining a remaining portion of the programming from a different source other than the server. This different source can be, for example, a local storage device or a multicast broadcast of the programming.

Abstract: Techniques to display advertisements on a remote control device are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions related to control of an output of content by a client. The one or more modules are also configured to detect manual interaction and initiate a first mode to display an advertisement on the display device when the manual interaction has not been detected. A second mode is initiated by the one or more modules to display one or more representations of the one or more control functions when the manual interaction is detected.

Abstract: Application gadget techniques are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions related to control of a display of content by a client. The one or more modules also provide an environment to execute one or more application gadgets such that an output of the one or more application gadgets is displayable on the display device.

Abstract: Application gadget techniques are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions related to control of a display of content by a client. The one or more modules also provide an environment to execute one or more application gadgets such that an output of the one or more application gadgets is displayable on the display device.

Abstract: Application gadget techniques are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions related to control of a display of content by a client. The one or more modules also provide an environment to execute one or more application gadgets such that an output of the one or more application gadgets is displayable on the display device.

Abstract: Content storage using quotas as described. In an implementation, an apparatus comprises memory to store content obtained via a network connection and one or more modules to manage storage of the content using one or more quotas. A first one of the quotas specifies a maximum amount of the memory that is permitted to be used to store the content for a first user and a second one of the quotas specifies a maximum amount of the memory that is permitted to be used to store the content for a second user.

Abstract: Object detection and user setting techniques are described. In an implementation, an object placed on a surface of the client is detected by the client. A determination is made as to which of a plurality of users correspond to the detected object. One or more user settings are located that correspond to the determined user.

Abstract: Targeted advertising using object identification techniques is described. In an implementation, an object is identified by a client that is placed on a surface of the client. An advertisement is located that corresponds to the identified object and is output.

Abstract: Application gadget techniques are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions related to control of a display of content by a client. The one or more modules also provide an environment to execute one or more application gadgets such that an output of the one or more application gadgets is displayable on the display device.

Abstract: Application gadget techniques are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions related to control of a display of content by a client. The one or more modules also provide an environment to execute one or more application gadgets such that an output of the one or more application gadgets is displayable on the display device.

Abstract: Application gadget techniques are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions related to control of a display of content by a client. The one or more modules also provide an environment to execute one or more application gadgets such that an output of the one or more application gadgets is displayable on the display device.

Abstract: A television program is recorded by multiple client devices. After feedback regarding playback of the television program by at least a threshold number of other users has been analyzed, a highlight version of the television program is obtained by a client device. The highlight version of the television program is one or more portions of the television program. A user request to playback the highlight version of the television program is received, and in response to this user request, the highlight version of the television program is played back.

Abstract: A computing system is provided to make managing the devices and content on a network easier by making the process intuitive, tactile and gestural. The computing system includes a display surface for graphically displaying the devices connected to a network and the content stored on those devices. A sensor is used to recognize activity on the display surface so that gestures may be used to control a device on the network and transport data between devices on the network. Additionally, new devices can be provided access to communicate on the network based on interaction with the display device.

Abstract: A computing system includes a display surface that displays an electronic program guide. A sensor is used to sense the presence of an object adjacent to the display surface. Based on the data from the sensor about the object adjacent to the display surface interacting with the electronic program guide, the system determines which gesture of a set of possible gestures the object is performing. For example, the system may determine that a hand is sliding across the display surface or rotating an icon on the display surface. The system will perform a function related to the electronic program guide based on the determined gesture.

Abstract: A first portion of programming aired prior to a first time is obtained via a unicast session with a server, the first portion including previously aired programming. When the programming data being sent via the unicast session catches up to a multicast broadcast of the programming, the unicast session is terminated and a switch is made to obtaining a remaining portion of the programming from a different source other than the server. This different source can be, for example, a local storage device or a multicast broadcast of the programming.

Abstract: Targeted advertising using object identification techniques is described. In an implementation, an object is identified by a client that is placed on a surface of the client. An advertisement is located that corresponds to the identified object and is output.

Abstract: A user interface having zoom functionality is described. In an implementation, a user interface is displayed having representations of a plurality of content. Each of the representations is formed using a respective picture-in-picture stream of respective content. When an input is received to select a particular one of the representations, the respective content is displayed by zooming in from the picture-in-picture stream of the respective content to a respective video stream of the respective content.

Abstract: Object detection and user setting techniques are described. In an implementation, an object placed on a surface of the client is detected by the client. A determination is made as to which of a plurality of users correspond to the detected object. One or more user settings are located that correspond to the determined user.

Abstract: Content storage using quotas as described. In an implementation, an apparatus comprises memory to store content obtained via a network connection and one or more modules to manage storage of the content using one or more quotas. A first one of the quotas specifies a maximum amount of the memory that is permitted to be used to store the content for a first user and a second one of the quotas specifies a maximum amount of the memory that is permitted to be used to store the content for a second user.

Abstract: Techniques to personalize a remote control device are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to determine an identity of a user and initiate one or more control functions related to control of a display of content by a client. The one or more modules are also configured to personalize a display of representations of the one or more control functions on the display device based on the determined identity of the user.