Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to multi boot mobile phone devices. In one example, a mobile phone device comprises one or more non-volatile storage devices including an empty partition, a blob partition storing two or more operating systems in a compressed format, a boot selection module configured to recognize user selection of at least one of the two or more operating systems, and a boot allocation module configured to, responsive to user selection of at least one of the two or more operating systems, split the empty partition into a different operating system partition for each selected operating system, decompress each selected operating system, and store each decompressed operating system on its respective operating system partition.

Abstract: A crash dump system in a device includes firmware that determines when an atypical reboot of the device is about to occur and both sets a flag indicating there was an atypical reboot and stores in nonvolatile memory crash dump data based on the type of event that caused the atypical reboot. The crash dump data includes a reboot code indicating the type of event that was detected. When the device is subsequently restarted due to the reboot, the operating system detects that the flag was set, and in response to the flag being set collects and analyzes the crash dump data from the reserved memory. Crash analysis data is generated based on this analysis and sent is to a remote service for possible further action (e.g., analysis, notification of a developer, and so forth).

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern a first device (e.g., phone) having a first set of input or output capabilities interacting with a second device(s) (e.g., tablet) having a second set of input or output capabilities. The first device may detect the second device and establish a communication link with the second device. The first device may receive inputs presented at the second device and provide outputs to be presented by the second device. In response to an action (e.g., touch, gesture) on the second device, an application running on the first device may receive an input, which may in turn determine an output that is provided to the second device. The first device may use the second device to provide an input/output experience that is superior to what the first device could provide with its own built-in input/output components. The combination saves energy and reduces computing complexity.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a device ecosystem in which devices collect and forward failure data to a control system that collects and analyzes the failure data. The devices record, categorize, transform, and report failure data to the control system. Failures on a device can be counted and also correlated over time with tracked changes in state of the device (e.g., in use, active, powered on). Different types of Mean Time To Failure (MTTF) statistics are efficiently computed in an ongoing manner. A pool of statistical failure data pushed by devices can be used by the control system to select devices from which to pull detailed failure data.

Abstract: A facility for responding to the crash of a computing system subsystem is described. The facility detects a crash of the subsystem. In response to this detecting, the facility provides diagnostic information representing state of the peripheral subsystem to a crash analysis service, and restarts the subsystem without restarting the computing system.

Abstract: Examples for an intelligent watchdog timer for a computing device are described herein. The watchdog timer operates a watchdog counter that repetitively counts a watchdog count interval from an initial value to a final value. The watchdog counter is continually reset if the device is functioning properly. If the watchdog timer is allowed to reach a final count value, a processor reset is initiated. Several components operate to detect the current mode of operation of the processor or an operating system, and predict, in part based on user context, when different power states may occur. The components also forecast when the watchdog timer is scheduled to reach the final count value. Based on the forecasts of when the watchdog timer will reach the final count value and the predictions of future power states of the processor or operating system, the watchdog counter is selectively disabled or reset.

Abstract: A crash dump system in a device includes firmware that determines when an atypical reboot of the device is about to occur and both sets a flag indicating there was an atypical reboot and stores in nonvolatile memory crash dump data based on the type of event that caused the atypical reboot. The crash dump data includes a reboot code indicating the type of event that was detected. When the device is subsequently restarted due to the reboot, the operating system detects that the flag was set, and in response to the flag being set collects and analyzes the crash dump data from the reserved memory. Crash analysis data is generated based on this analysis and sent is to a remote service for possible further action (e.g., analysis, notification of a developer, and so forth).

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to dual boot mobile phone devices. In one example, a mobile phone device comprises one or more non-volatile storage devices including a first partition storing a first operating system, a second partition storing first user data of the first operating system and second user data of a second operating system, and a third partition storing the second operating system. The mobile phone device further comprises a dual boot selection module configured to recognize user selection of the second operating system, and a dual boot allocation module configured to, responsive to user selection of the second operating system, automatically merge the first and second partitions into a merged partition, and automatically store the user data of the second operating system on the merged partition.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to multi boot mobile phone devices. In one example, a mobile phone device comprises one or more non-volatile storage devices including an empty partition, a blob partition storing two or more operating systems in a compressed format, a boot selection module configured to recognize user selection of at least one of the two or more operating systems, and a boot allocation module configured to, responsive to user selection of at least one of the two or more operating systems, split the empty partition into a different operating system partition for each selected operating system, decompress each selected operating system, and store each decompressed operating system on its respective operating system partition.