Abstract: In one example, a method for detecting input can include detecting a capacitive pattern from a physical object and detecting that the physical object is a passive physical object. The method can also include determining a plurality of characteristics corresponding to the passive physical object based on the capacitive pattern, wherein the plurality of characteristics comprise a type of the physical object and a capability of the physical object. Additionally, the method can include modifying an application manager to detect input from the passive physical object based on the plurality of characteristics and modifying a user interface setting detected from the capacitive pattern.

Abstract: A technique is described herein for decoupling the playback of media content streams that compose a media item. In one implementation, the technique involves: in a synchronized state, presenting a stream of first media content (such as audio content) in synchronization with a stream of second media content (such as video content); detecting a desynchronization event; in response to the desynchronization event, transitioning from the synchronized state to a desynchronized state by changing (e.g., slowing) a rate at which the stream of second media content is presented, relative to the stream of first media content; detecting a resynchronization-initiation event; and, in response to the resynchronization-initiation event, returning to the synchronized state by providing a compressed presentation of the stream of second media content. The technique further involves presenting the stream of first media content at a given non-zero rate while in the desynchronized state.

Abstract: In one example, a method for detecting input can include detecting a capacitive pattern from a physical object and detecting that the physical object is a passive physical object. The method can also include determining a plurality of characteristics corresponding to the passive physical object based on the capacitive pattern, wherein the plurality of characteristics comprise a type of the physical object and a capability of the physical object. Additionally, the method can include modifying an application manager to detect input from the passive physical object based on the plurality of characteristics and modifying a user interface setting detected from the capacitive pattern.