Abstract: In order to render content in a manner most responsive to a user's interest, a computer system (e.g., an eBook reader device) is configured to render content. Specifically, the computer system is configured to receive a request to display a page of displayable content that includes at least one displayable object having original dimensions that exceed a viewable area on a display screen. Thus, a user launching an eBook application on a computer device may immediately access a table of contents requiring a display area that is larger than the present eBook application. The computer system determines whether an end-user experience is better served by displaying a first reduced-size representation comprising a non-interactive thumbnail image of the displayable object or a second reduced-size representation comprising a user-interactive object corresponding to the displayable object.

Abstract: A user interface is disclosed that operates in conjunction with a search engine browser to present localized information that pertains to specific areas of interest. As characters of a search query are being entered into the browser, they are provided to one or more servers that are associated with respective domains of information. If information within those domains corresponds to the search query being entered, an indication is provided to the user of those results, in addition to any input provided by the search engine browser. The user interface enables the user to access the results, even before the search is conducted, to quickly learn about items from the domains that may be of possible interest.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with at least one embodiment, a content creator/editor may have content reviewed by one or more reviewers. The content may include one or more signatures or characteristic values to correlate an annotation of the content made by one of the reviewers with respect to a flow of time of the content. The content creator/editor may generate a review file for the content and send the review file to the reviewers. The reviewers may provide annotations to the content with respect to the flow of time of the content, where the annotations may be correlated to the content via the signature or characteristic values of the content, and the reviewers may store the annotations independent of the content. The review process may be managed independent of a managing server where the content creator/editor may generate a review file and send the review file to the reviewers using a client content creation and editing software program on local machine of the content creator/editor.

Abstract: An electronic book (“eBook”) reader application executing on an electronic device conserves non-volatile, random access memory by reading from non-volatile memory an electronic document page that includes text and at least one non-textual object (e.g., an image), storing the read electronic document page in volatile memory such that the at least one non-textual object is replaced with a placeholder that occupies less memory than the non-textual object (e.g., a blank rectangle having the same dimensions as the image), determining that the electronic document page stored in volatile memory is likely to be displayed imminently, and replacing the placeholder in the stored electronic document page with the non-textual object.

Abstract: A user interface is disclosed that operates in conjunction with a search engine browser to present localized information that pertains to specific areas of interest. As characters of a search query are being entered into the browser, they are provided to one or more servers that are associated with respective domains of information. If information within those domains corresponds to the search query being entered, an indication is provided to the user of those results, in addition to any input provided by the search engine browser. The user interface enables the user to access the results, even before the search is conducted, to quickly learn about items from the domains that may be of possible interest.

Abstract: A graphical user interface element incorporates real-time environment data from the user's environment. For example, a live video image captured by a local camera can be incorporated into the GUI, e.g., in a background region of a GUI element such as a menu bar. Front-facing (or rear-facing) camera images can be used to create a reflective (or translucent) effect. Color changes can reflect changes in ambient lighting. GUI elements can also be modified based on other real-time environment data, such as audio. The incorporation of real-time environment data into a user interface element for an application provides protection against spoofing of that element.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling communications allow a recipient of electronic communications to be designated as in a no-contact state based on a profile data associated with the recipient. An attempt to send an electronic communication to the recipient when the recipient is in a no-contact state will result in the electronic communication not being transmitted at that time, although variants may allow queuing the electronic communication for later delivery. The no-contact state based on the profile data may be determined by evaluation of rules. The rules may be based on a location of the recipient, including a time zone or other characteristics associated with the recipient.

Abstract: To help a reader of an electronic document, e.g., an eBook, find his or her reading location following a repagination event, an electronic reader application executing on an electronic device displays a first portion of content of the electronic document, detects that the reader has performed a predetermined action that triggers repagination of the electronic document, and repaginating the electronic document to cause the reader application to display a second portion of content of the electronic document, the second portion including at least some of the first portion of content and at least some newly visible content of the electronic document, such that the newly visible content appears visually different, at least temporarily, from the first portion of content that remains visible.

Abstract: In order to render content in a manner most responsive to a user's interest, a computer system (e.g., an eBook reader device) is configured to render content. Specifically, the computer system is configured to receive a request to display a page of displayable content that includes at least one displayable object having original dimensions that exceed a viewable area on a display screen. Thus, a user launching an eBook application on a computer device may immediately access a table of contents requiring a display area that is larger than the present eBook application. The computer system determines whether an end-user experience is better served by displaying a first reduced-size representation comprising a non-interactive thumbnail image of the displayable object or a second reduced-size representation comprising a user-interactive object corresponding to the displayable object.

Abstract: An electronic book (“eBook”) reader application executing on an electronic device conserves non-volatile, random access memory by reading from non-volatile memory an electronic document page that includes text and at least one non-textual object (e.g., an image), storing the read electronic document page in volatile memory such that the at least one non-textual object is replaced with a placeholder that occupies less memory than the non-textual object (e.g., a blank rectangle having the same dimensions as the image), determining that the electronic document page stored in volatile memory is likely to be displayed imminently, and replacing the placeholder in the stored electronic document page with the non-textual object.