Abstract: Metered network synchronization techniques are described. A current network connection of a computing device is checked as to whether the current network connection has been identified as a metered network. Access by a synchronization engine of the computing device to communicate via the current network connection to synchronize data of the computing device with another computing device is managed based at least in part on a setting associated with the metered network.

Abstract: Metered network synchronization techniques are described. A current network connection of a computing device is checked as to whether the current network connection has been identified as a metered network. Access by a synchronization engine of the computing device to communicate via the current network connection to synchronize data of the computing device with another computing device is managed based at least in part on a setting associated with the metered network.

Abstract: A user of a device has an account with a service that stores copies of common data that is automatically made available to any of the user's devices and also stores copies of device-specific data that is available to the user on particular user-selected devices but is not automatically made available to all of the user's devices. A set of backed up devices can be displayed to the user of a particular device with various information describing the devices to facilitate user selection of a device, such as a visual representation of the type of the device that was backed up, a visual representation of a desktop or start screen display of the device that was backed up, and so forth. The user can select one of the displayed devices, and in response have the backed up device-specific data for the selected device copied to the particular device.

Abstract: A method to expose status information is provided. The status information is associated with metadata extracted from multimedia files and stored in a metadata database. The metadata information that is extracted from the multimedia files is stored in a read queue to allow a background thread to process the metadata and populate the metadata database. Additionally, the metadata database may be updated to include user-define metadata, which is written back to the multimedia files. The user-defined metadata is included in a write queue and is written to the multimedia files associated with the user-defined metadata. The status of the read and write queues are exposed to a user through a graphical user interface. The status may include the list of multimedia files included in the read and write queues, the priorities of each multimedia file, and the number of remaining multimedia files.

Abstract: A user of a device has an account with a service that stores copies of common data that is automatically made available to any of the user's devices and also stores copies of device-specific data that is available to the user on particular user-selected devices but is not automatically made available to all of the user's devices. A set of backed up devices can be displayed to the user of a particular device with various information describing the devices to facilitate user selection of a device, such as a visual representation of the type of the device that was backed up, a visual representation of a desktop or start screen display of the device that was backed up, and so forth. The user can select one of the displayed devices, and in response have the backed up device-specific data for the selected device copied to the particular device.

Abstract: Metered network synchronization techniques are described. A current network connection of a computing device is checked as to whether the current network connection has been identified as a metered network. Access by a synchronization engine of the computing device to communicate via the current network connection to synchronize data of the computing device with another computing device is managed based at least in part on a setting associated with the metered network.

Abstract: Computer system navigation tools provide “links” to various different files, lists, folders, and/or other storage elements and allow users to organize files, e.g., by hierarchical properties, lists, auto lists, folders, and the like. Such systems and methods allow users to assign properties to a file (optionally in a hierarchical manner), to change assigned properties, to search, view, and retrieve information based on the assigned properties, and the like.

Abstract: A method to expose status information is provided. The status information is associated with metadata extracted from multimedia files and stored in a metadata database. The metadata information that is extracted from the multimedia files is stored in a read queue to allow a background thread to process the metadata and populate the metadata database. Additionally, the metadata database may be updated to include user-define metadata, which is written back to the multimedia files. The user-defined metadata is included in a write queue and is written to the multimedia files associated with the user-defined metadata. The status of the read and write queues are exposed to a user through a graphical user interface. The status may include the list of multimedia files included in the read and write queues, the priorities of each multimedia file, and the number of remaining multimedia files.

Abstract: Computer system navigation tools provide “links” to various different files, lists, folders, and/or other storage elements and allow users to organize files, e.g., by hierarchical properties, lists, auto lists, folders, and the like. Such systems and methods allow users to assign properties to a file (optionally in a hierarchical manner), to change assigned properties, to search, view, and retrieve information based on the assigned properties, and the like.

Abstract: In an Item-based system, Images (e.g., JPEG, TIFF, bitmap, and so on) are treated as core platform objects (“Image Items” or, more simply, “Images”) and exist in an “Image Schema” that provides an extensible representation of an Image in the system—that is, the characteristics of an Image and how that Image relates to other Items (including but not limited to other Images) in the system. To this end, the Image Schema defines the properties, behaviors, and relationships for Images in the system, and the Schema also enforces rules about Images, for example, what data specific Images must contain, what data specific Images may optionally contain, how specific Images can be extended, and so on and so forth.

Abstract: Computer system navigation tools provide “links” to various different files, lists, folders, and/or other storage elements and allow users to organize files, e.g., by hierarchical properties, lists, auto lists, folders, and the like. Such systems and methods allow users to assign properties to a file (optionally in a hierarchical manner), to change assigned properties, to search, view, and retrieve information based on the assigned properties, and the like.

Abstract: A method to expose status information is provided. The status information is associated with metadata extracted from multimedia files and stored in a metadata database. The metadata information that is extracted from the multimedia files is stored in a read queue to allow a background thread to process the metadata and populate the metadata database. Additionally, the metadata database may be updated to include user-define metadata, which is written back to the multimedia files. The user-defined metadata is included in a write queue and is written to the multimedia files associated with the user-defined metadata. The status of the read and write queues are exposed to a user through a graphical user interface. The status may include the list of multimedia files included in the read and write queues, the priorities of each multimedia file, and the number of remaining multimedia files.

Abstract: A method to expose status information is provided. The status information is associated with metadata extracted from multimedia files and stored in a metadata database. The metadata information that is extracted from the multimedia files is stored in a read queue to allow a background thread to process the metadata and populate the metadata database. Additionally, the metadata database may be updated to include user-define metadata, which is written back to the multimedia files. The user-defined metadata is included in a write queue and is written to the multimedia files associated with the user-defined metadata. The status of the read and write queues are exposed to a user through a graphical user interface. The status may include the list of multimedia files included in the read and write queues, the priorities of each multimedia file, and the number of remaining multimedia files.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting images and related items to a user. A digital image from a data store is assessed, and a portion of the image is defined as a region of interest. Properties are associated with this defined region, and these properties are utilized to infer relationships between the region of interest and related items in the data store. Optionally, a user input indicating a desire to view related content may be received and such content may be presented to the user.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture suitable for rendering a graphical user interface including at least one viewable graphical element, the graphical element having a filename associated therewith, the filename being absent from the user interface.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically grouping items, e.g., digital photographs, by analyzing the statistical distributions of at least one piece of information associated with each of the items, for instance, creation time, are provided. In one embodiment, the creation time may be converted into a numeric value and the numeric values placed in ascending order such that gaps between adjacent numeric values may be determined. Subsequently, a median difference may be determined as well as an optimum difference. The items may then be organized into groups such that an additional group is created each time the difference between the numeric value for an item and the numeric value for the adjacent item located therebelow in the ascending array is greater than the optimum difference.