Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media for community-based ranking in an electronic store. The method includes receiving a predictive ranking of an item in an electronic store and feedback about the item from each of a group of individuals, the predictive ranking being predictive of item performance in the electronic store. The method further tracks an actual ranking of the item over time based on item performance in the electronic store, provides an incentive for individuals in the group of individuals whose associated predictive ranking coincides with the actual ranking of the item, and presents in the electronic store received feedback from at least one individual associated with the predictive ranking that coincides with the actual ranking of the item. Rankings can be directed to different subdomains in the electronic or online store. Individuals having favorable successful prediction ratios can receive incentives.

Abstract: A device (e.g., a phone) can be provided by an entity (e.g., a business) to a user (e.g., an employee). The device includes a profile manager that allows the user to configure a personal profile comprising any of applications, settings, and stored data. The device is also configurable with an entity profile determined by the entity that also may include applications, settings, and stored data. The user can select from operating modes comprising at least a personal mode, and a unity mode; an entity mode also may be available for selection. The profile manager, based on the selected mode, determines whether entity profile data and applications are available to the user, and which applications from either profile may conduct user-perceptible activities. The profile manager may periodically verify entity profile rights with a server, and if verification fails, then the profile manager can restrict entity profile data and applications access, regardless of operating mode.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for regulating data traffic between a client device and a server. The system determines whether a transmission of a data file is allowable based on pre-defined criteria. The system provides an indication of whether the transmission is allowable and under what conditions the transmission would be allowable. If the transmission of a data file is requested and the transmission is not allowable, a message is sent from the server to the client device that first pre-defined criteria are not met and the message indicates that the transmission of the data file will be allowed when second pre-defined criteria are met.

Abstract: An improved system, device and method for accessing features of digital products with assistance from a product distribution site are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user of a client device may have previously acquired rights or permissions to access one or more supplemental features of one or more digital products (e.g., application programs). Typically, a user would purchase an application program and then sometime later also purchase supplemental features for use with the application program. In one implementation the supplemental features can be purchased using the application program with the assistance of a remotely located product distribution server. Sometime thereafter, in some cases, the user desires to make use of such previously acquired one or more supplemental features on another client device. For example, the user may wish or need to transfer from a former client device to a new client device. As another example, the user may wish to utilized (e.g.

Abstract: An improved system, device and method for accessing locked (secured) features of digital products with assistance from a product distribution site are disclosed. In one embodiment, a digital product can be submitted to a product distribution site for network-based distribution. The digital product can be initially provided such that it provides base functionality but contains one or more locked features that, if unlocked, can supplement the base functionality. If the digital product that has been submitted is approved, the digital product becomes available at the product distribution site such that users can search, browse and purchase the digital product. Once the digital product has been purchased, download and installed on a user's computing device, the user is able to utilize the digital product. However, since the digital product itself includes one or more locked features, the user is not able to utilize such features until a subsequent purchase is performed.

Abstract: Improved techniques for controlling delivery (e.g., download) of application programs from a remote application repository to different client computing devices are disclosed. Application programs are often built to operate on computing devices that have certain hardware capabilities. Hence, application programs available for download from a remote application repository might not be suitable execution on all client computing devices that are able to access the remote application repository. The improved techniques for controlling delivery can operate to permit the applications to be received by only those client computing devices that have the required hardware capabilities to properly operate the application programs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for localizing display of applications for download, the method including receiving from a developer and ingesting into an online store an application localized in different languages, including a designated default language, determining a local language of a user desiring to download the application from the online store, presenting to the user an interface to download a version of the application in the user's local language if the application is available in the user's local language, and presenting to the user an interface to download the version of the application in the designated default language if the application is unavailable in the user's local language. In one aspect, a list of all available localized versions is presented to the user. In another aspect, statistics about when the user desires an unavailable localized version are recorded and reported to the developer.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for regulating data traffic between a client device and a server. The system determines whether a transmission of a data file is allowable based on pre-defined criteria. The system provides an indication of whether the transmission is allowable and under what conditions the transmission would be allowable. If the transmission of a data file is requested and the transmission is not allowable, a message is sent from the server to the client device that first pre-defined criteria are not met and the message indicates that the transmission of the data file will be allowed when second pre-defined criteria are met.

Abstract: Improved approaches for submission, management and/or distribution of updates to digital products, such as application programs (software programs), with respect to an online product distribution site are disclosed. Updates to numerous digital products can be centrally managed in a uniform and computer-assisted manner so that updates can be efficiently distributed to appropriate users.

Abstract: Improved approaches for submission, management and/or distribution of updates to digital products, such as application programs (software programs), with respect to an online product distribution site are disclosed. Updates to numerous digital products can be centrally managed in a uniform and computer-assisted manner so that updates can be efficiently distributed to appropriate users.

Abstract: An improved system and method for submitting, distributing and/or managing digital products with respect to a product distribution system are disclosed. The submission of digital products to the product distribution system can operate to electronically submit not only the digital products but also product information, developer information and distribution parameters. The product distribution system can present the digital products for distribution at an online product distribution site in accordance with the distribution parameters. The online product distribution site can present potential purchasers with product information and/or developer information prior to any purchase.

Abstract: Techniques for improved installation of software on handheld devices. In one embodiment, a handheld device is coupled with a computer that has a client software application. The client software application can support installing software applications onto the handheld device. The client software application can determine if the handheld device is in need of, or already has, one or more particular software applications installed on the handheld device. The client application software can then obtain the particular software applications from a remote server and then transfer the particular software applications to the handheld device. Advantageously, a user can automatically be made aware of the particular software applications that it may need. In one implementation, a user of the handheld device or the computer can purchase the particular software applications.

Abstract: A content rental system includes one data store for storing rental content. The content rental system also includes a content server for transferring content to one viewing device based upon a received request. The content server is further configured to authorize the transfer of the content from the viewing device to another viewing device.

Abstract: A content rental system includes one data store for storing rental content. The content rental system also includes a content server for transferring content to one viewing device based upon a received request. The content server is further configured to authorize the transfer of the content from the viewing device to another viewing device.

Abstract: Systems, graphical user interfaces and methods for upgrading from one or more digital media assets to a set of digital media assets over a network are described. A potential purchaser can be notified of available upgrade opportunities that are available for purchase. The potential purchaser can elect to pursue an upgrade opportunity so as to purchase a set of digital media assets. Upon upgrading to the set of digital media assets, the digital media assets within the set of digital media assets are made available to the purchaser. According to one aspect, a graphical user interface facilitates presenting and requesting upgrade opportunities. According to another aspect, equivalency rules and/or eligibility rules can be used to control which sets of digital media assets are available for upgrade by respective potential purchasers.