Abstract: A communal computing device, like an interactive digital whiteboard, can detect the start and end of user sessions with the device. When a communal computing device detects the end of a user session, the it can determine if a personal device that was connected at the start of the user session or during the user session was also connected at the end of the user session. If so, the device can initiate actions based on the session start or end signals such as, but not limited to, transmitting a message to an organizer of a meeting scheduled during the time of the user session, transmitting a message to a participant of a meeting scheduled during the time of the user session, transmitting a message to an administrator, or generating a notification, such as a user interface reminding a user to take their personal device.

Abstract: A user provides an identification (ID) signal (e.g. a biometric ID signal like a self-snapshot) to a trusted cloud-based provider. When the user attempts to authenticate with the cloud-based provider, a similar ID signal (e.g. another self-snapshot) for the user is captured and provided to the cloud-based provider. The cloud-based provider then obtains a secondary ID signal, or a combination of secondary ID signals, and utilizes the secondary ID signal, or signals, to identify a subset of user records to be searched for the ID signal. The subset of the records, rather than all of the user records, can then be searched for the ID signal. The cloud-based provider can then authenticate the user based on the results of the search of the subset of the user records.

Abstract: A communal computing device such as an interactive digital whiteboard can provide progressively more access to functionality and data on the device based on a level of certainty in the identity of a user. If a user is identified based on one or more low-fidelity identification signals such as an image of the user or a device identifier, the communal computing device may provide a first level of functionality that is limited. If the user requests greater access, the communal computing device can request that a trusted cloud-based provider authenticate the user by way of a personal device, such as a smartphone. The authentication may be a password or high-fidelity biometric identification. The cloud-based provider communicates successful authentication to the communal computing device and it, in turn, provides the user access to higher, second level of functionality.

Abstract: A communal computing device, such as an interactive digital whiteboard, can become unlocked if a user is near the device. The communal computing device may use a sensor such as a camera to capture images of a person and obtain an identifier from a personal device such as a smartphone. A cloud-based provider that is trusted by both the communal computing device and the personal device may associate both the image and the identifier of the personal device with the same user identity. Obtaining the user identity from multiple, different sources provides a secure technique for the communal computing device to recognize a user without the user directly interacting with the communal computing device. If the sensor no longer detects the user or the personal device is no longer detected, then the communal computing device may log off the user. The personal device may be used to confirm log off.

Abstract: A contextual file manager is described herein. Contextual information regarding files and folders of a file system of an operating system is collected. The contextual information may be collected from a variety of different sources, such as contents of the file or folder, an application associated with the file, a service provider, or a cloud storage service. The contextual information is then exposed in a file system interface of the operating system along with representations of the files and folders. In some cases, the contextual information is exposed in response to detection of an intuitive user action to a representation of one of the files or folders via the file system interface.

Abstract: A multi-user aware (“MUA”) computing device, such a communal computing device like an interactive digital whiteboard, can enforce role-based constraints on the modification of components, such as configuration settings. The MUA computing device can be configured with universal settings, global settings, and temporal settings. Universal settings cannot be changed by users of the MUA computing device. Device owners can change global settings that apply to all users of a MUA computing device. All users of the MUA computing device can change temporal settings. Changes to temporal settings are stored in profiles associated with authenticated users but are not persisted for guest users. When all users have stopped using the MUA computing device, the device can be configured with default values for the temporal settings in order to return the device to a known state.

Abstract: A multi-user computing device, such a communal computing device like an interactive digital whiteboard, can execute single user aware (“SUA”) applications and multi-user aware (“MUA”) applications. Instances of SUA applications execute in the context of a single user. MUA applications can execute in the contexts of multiple authenticated users simultaneously. A multi-user aware OS platform authenticates and de-authenticates users of the multi-user computing device. The multi-user aware OS platform provides notifications to MUA applications when users are authenticated and de-authenticated. When a new user is authenticated, MUA applications begin executing in the context of the newly authenticated user and any other previously authenticated users. When users are de-authenticated, MUA applications stop executing in the context of the de-authenticated user but continue executing in the context of the remaining authenticated users of the multi-user computing device.

Abstract: Files can be located using a durable and universal file identifier. A content URI includes a file protocol URI specifying a path to a file. The file protocol URI includes a query string specifying properties of the file that can be utilized to locate the file, such as an object ID property specifying a GUID for the file and a volume ID property specifying a GUID for a storage volume storing the file. The content URI can be utilized to locate the file using the file protocol URI and its associated query string even if the file has been moved, renamed, or is accessed on a different computing device. Operations can then be performed using the file, such as resuming a previously performed activity that used the file.

Abstract: A cloud content states framework is described herein. In implementations, a framework is configured to perform operations for management of cloud content files at the computing device on behalf of cloud storage providers. The framework is operable to manage states for cloud content files accessible from multiple cloud storage services. The framework also manages and outputs state indicators with file system representations of the cloud content files. The states include at least a set of primary states indicative of synchronization status controlled by the framework. The states may also include custom states associated with cloud storage services that are defined via an interface exposed by the framework. In operation, states associated with cloud content files are recognized in connection with rendering a user interface with cloud content file representations. Then, state indicators that reflect the recognized states are exposed along with cloud content file representations in the user interface.

Abstract: Providing contextual messages from a service to a user in a native application on a system. Embodiments determine a user specific context within the general context of the native application on a first device and provide in a user interface to the user information about the user specific context.

Abstract: A contextual file manager is described herein. Contextual information regarding files and folders of a file system of an operating system is collected. The contextual information may be collected from a variety of different sources, such as contents of the file or folder, an application associated with the file, a service provider, or a cloud storage service. The contextual information is then exposed in a file system interface of the operating system along with representations of the files and folders. In some cases, the contextual information is exposed in response to detection of an intuitive user action to a representation of one of the files or folders via the file system interface.

Abstract: Determination logic for a cloud content states framework is described herein. In implementations, a framework is configured to perform operations for management of cloud content files at the computing device on behalf of cloud storage providers. Determination logic for the framework is utilized to make state determinations in dependence upon a defined set of file sync properties. The framework operates to make assessments of the file sync properties and set states for files in accordance with the assessments. In implementations, file sync properties are related to corresponding states through a mapping data structure that maps file sync property values to different states and enables look-ups of states based on property values. The framework utilizes and references the mapping data structure to match file sync properties identified for cloud content files to corresponding states and then set states for the cloud content files accordingly.

Abstract: A cloud content states framework is described herein. In implementations, a framework is configured to perform operations for management of cloud content files at the computing device on behalf of cloud storage providers. The framework is operable to manage states for cloud content files accessible from multiple cloud storage services. The framework also manages and outputs state indicators with file system representations of the cloud content files. The states include at least a set of primary states indicative of synchronization status controlled by the framework. The states may also include custom states associated with cloud storage services that are defined via an interface exposed by the framework. In operation, states associated with cloud content files are recognized in connection with rendering a user interface with cloud content file representations. Then, state indicators that reflect the recognized states are exposed along with cloud content file representations in the user interface.

Abstract: Providing contextual messages from a service to a user in a native application on a system. Embodiments determine a user specific context within the general context of the native application on a first device and provide in a user interface to the user information about the user specific context.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cross device and/or cross operating system task continuity between devices for frictionless task engagement and reengagement. Task continuity can provide for simple detection and selection of recently viewed and/or modified tasks. Task continuity can provide for simple engagement of new tasks in applications and/or websites, the new tasks being related to recently presented and/or modified tasks. Responsive to selection of the recently presented and/or modified task, the task can be seamlessly reengaged from the point at which it was last presented and/or modified. Responsive to selection of a new task, the task can be engaged from a starting point. Upon completion of the task on one device, the task can be closed across devices. Task continuity can be enabled on a single device or across a plurality of devices. Task continuity can be enabled on a single operating system, or across a plurality of operating systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cross device and/or cross operating system task continuity between devices for frictionless task engagement and reengagement. Task continuity can provide for simple detection and selection of recently viewed and/or modified tasks. Task continuity can provide for simple engagement of new tasks in applications and/or websites, the new tasks being related to recently presented and/or modified tasks. Responsive to selection of the recently presented and/or modified task, the task can be seamlessly reengaged from the point at which it was last presented and/or modified. Responsive to selection of a new task, the task can be engaged from a starting point. Upon completion of the task on one device, the task can be closed across devices. Task continuity can be enabled on a single device or across a plurality of devices. Task continuity can be enabled on a single operating system, or across a plurality of operating systems.

Abstract: Desktop environment differentiation in virtual desktop techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a user is logged into a corresponding single user account of an operating system of a computing device. Functionality accessible via the single user account is exposed to implement a plurality of virtual desktops associated with the single user account. Each of the plurality of virtual desktops including a user interface that is configured to have an associated collection of windows corresponding to applications and desktop environments that are differentiated, one from another.

Abstract: Operating system virtual desktop techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a plurality of virtual desktops are implemented by a single operating system of a computing device. Each of the virtual desktops includes a user interface that is configured to have an associated collection of windows that correspond to applications. Access to the plurality of virtual desktops is managed by the operating system that is navigable by a user to interact with associated collection of representations of application and windows corresponding to the applications by switching between the plurality of virtual desktops.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cross device and/or cross operating system task continuity between devices for frictionless task engagement and reengagement. Task continuity can provide for simple detection and selection of recently viewed and/or modified tasks. Task continuity can provide for simple engagement of new tasks in applications and/or websites, the new tasks being related to recently presented and/or modified tasks. Responsive to selection of the recently presented and/or modified task, the task can be seamlessly reengaged from the point at which it was last presented and/or modified. Responsive to selection of a new task, the task can be engaged from a starting point. Upon completion of the task on one device, the task can be closed across devices. Task continuity can be enabled on a single device or across a plurality of devices. Task continuity can be enabled on a single operating system, or across a plurality of operating systems.

Abstract: A system and a method may be provided. The system may include a server and one or more user processing devices. The user processing devices may execute an application, such as, for example, a browser. Via the application, a user may define clippable sections of a network document without executing any scripts. The defined clippable sections may be stored on a user processing device or on a server. When viewing a network document, a user may select a portion of the network document corresponding to a defined clippable section to cause corresponding content to be saved to a list. The list may be stored on the user processing device or on the server. When the list is stored on the server, the list may be made shareable with other users.