Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors and memory includes a procedure for sharing information with a third party recipient. In some embodiments, the device receives a speech input from a first user, the speech input specifying a second user different from the first user, and an information item to be shared with the second user. In response to the speech input, the device initiates a background process during which a digital assistant searches for the information item and causes the information item to be sent to the second user without further review and instruction from the first user.

Abstract: Techniques are described for seamlessly transitioning from a map that displays out-of-doors elements to a map that displays indoor elements, in response to detecting a transition event. The transition event may be, for example, that a navigation system that is generating the out-of-doors map has moved to an indoors location. Techniques are also provided for navigating to a parking spot in a parking structure. Specifically, users may search for parking spots that satisfy specific criteria. The search for a parking spot that satisfies the criteria may be initiated at the time a trip begins, or may be automatically triggered by some event. For example, a search for available parking spots near a designated destination may be automatically initiated as a user comes within a predetermined distance of the designated destination.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for managing movement states of an electronic device are provided that may leverage pass data from a pass application when determining a current or future movement state of an electronic device and/or that may manage a mode of operation of the electronic device based on the determined movement state. Pass data may be indicative of the existence or use of any suitable passes that may be used by the electronic device, such as transportation boarding passes, event tickets, coupons, store cards, financial payment cards, and the like.

Abstract: Techniques are described for seamlessly transitioning from a map that displays out-of-doors elements to a map that displays indoor elements, in response to detecting a transition event. The transition event may be, for example, that a navigation system that is generating the out-of-doors map has moved to an indoors location. Techniques are also provided for navigating to a parking spot in a parking structure. Specifically, users may search for parking spots that satisfy specific criteria. The search for a parking spot that satisfies the criteria may be initiated at the time a trip begins, or may be automatically triggered by some event. For example, a search for available parking spots near a designated destination may be automatically initiated as a user comes within a predetermined distance of the designated destination.

Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors and memory includes a procedure for sharing information with a third party recipient. In some embodiments, the device receives a speech input from a first user, the speech input specifying a second user different from the first user, and an information item to be shared with the second user. In response to the speech input, the device initiates a background process during which a digital assistant searches for the information item and causes the information item to be sent to the second user without further review and instruction from the first user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for retrieving local information on a user device include detecting itinerary information stored by a first application on a user device, and identifying a travel destination based on the detected itinerary information. The travel destination is communicated to a second application executable on a user device, and the travel destination is stored in association with the second application. The second application is adapted to retrieve local information based on an identified geographic location, and local information for the travel destination is provided through the second application in response to a user interaction with the second application and based on a triggering threshold associated with the itinerary information.

Abstract: A contactability of a user can be maintained by identifying a secondary device and causing a contact device to establish a communication session with the secondary device when a primary device becomes unavailable. In some embodiments, when a power level of a primary device falls below a threshold, the primary device can identify a secondary device previously associated with the primary device. The secondary device can receive a signal periodically from the primary device. In response to ceasing to receive the signal that is being sent periodically from the primary device, the secondary device in some embodiments can send a notification to a contact device to inform the contact device to send a communication request to the secondary device. The secondary device can receive the communication request from the contact device and establish a communication session with the contact device.

Abstract: A mobile device can obtain wireless network signal strength map data that indicates, for various nearby geographical regions, the wireless network signal strength in each such region. A mobile device can transmit that data to a vehicular navigation system responsible for automatically selecting a high-quality route of vehicular travel between a specified source and destination. The system can take the wireless network signal map data into account when selecting that route. When selecting from among multiple different routes of vehicular travel between a specified source and destination, the system may employ an algorithm that considers wireless network signal strengths along those routes, in addition to the other factors. Consequently, the system can select a longer route having better signal strength over a shorter route having worse signal strength. The system can present the selected route within a set of suggested routes, potentially along with reasons for each route's suggestion.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for retrieving local information on a user device include detecting itinerary information stored by a first application on a user device, and identifying a travel destination based on the detected itinerary information. The travel destination is communicated to a second application executable on a user device, and the travel destination is stored in association with the second application. The second application is adapted to retrieve local information based on an identified geographic location, and local information for the travel destination is provided through the second application in response to a user interaction with the second application and based on a triggering threshold associated with the itinerary information.

Abstract: Multiple mobile devices can be enabled to collaboratively search online information databases for results that may be interesting to all of them. Such search results can involve places of interest at which all of the search participants can conveniently meet due to the locations of those results being near to all of the search participants, for example.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for controlling wireless scans used to determine the location of a portable electronic device. In described embodiments, the portable electronic device determines if user notifications are currently suppressed (i.e., if the device is operating in a “do not disturb” mode). In the case that user notifications are currently suppressed on the portable electronic device, the interval between the wireless scans used to determine the location of the portable electronic device is increased. Furthermore, in described embodiments, the portable electronic device determines its location. Then based on its location, it determines a travel time to a boundary (e.g., a geo-fence) and adjusts the frequency of wireless scans used to determine the location of the portable electronic device based on the travel time.

Abstract: A system and methods for improved streaming of content. After streaming of a content item from a wireless device (e.g., a smart phone, a table computer) commences to a presentation device (e.g., a media receiver, a television), the presentation device determines that it can stream the content item from an alternative source, such as a web server, data server or other content repository residing on the Internet or other network. The presentation device initiates the alternative streaming and notifies the wireless device that it may stop streaming. The wireless device may continue to provide control inputs to allow a user to pause, play, fast forward or otherwise control the presentation, and may or may not present the content item locally. If the presentation device must cease streaming of the content item from the alternative source, it notifies the wireless device, which resumes streaming.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring a mobile device en route to a destination. A user of a monitored device specifies geo-fence regions along a route to the destination. Entry and exit of regions triggers the sending of event notifications to a monitoring device. Event notifications may be sent if an estimated time of arrival changes due to delay. Event notifications may be sent if the monitored device deviates from a planned route by a threshold distance. Event notifications may be sent through a direct communication link between the monitored device and monitoring device or through a location-based service.

Abstract: In some implementations, wireless transceivers (“nodes”) can be located throughout a building. In some implementations, an originating mobile device can request the current location of a target mobile device. In some implementation, if a direct connection cannot be established between the originating mobile device and the target mobile device, the originating mobile device can send the location request to one or more nodes in the building. The nodes can relay the location request to the target mobile device. The target mobile device can determine the target mobile device's current location and send the current location of the target mobile device back to the originating mobile device through the nodes.

Abstract: A mobile device can obtain wireless network signal strength map data that indicates, for various nearby geographical regions, the wireless network signal strength in each such region. A mobile device can transmit that data to a vehicular navigation system responsible for automatically selecting a high-quality route of vehicular travel between a specified source and destination. The system can take the wireless network signal map data into account when selecting that route. When selecting from among multiple different routes of vehicular travel between a specified source and destination, the system may employ an algorithm that considers wireless network signal strengths along those routes, in addition to the other factors. Consequently, the system can select a longer route having better signal strength over a shorter route having worse signal strength. The system can present the selected route within a set of suggested routes, potentially along with reasons for each route's suggestion.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a first device such as a mobile phone can establish a wireless connection with second device, and the second device can act as a bridge between the first device and a peripheral device, such as a printer, so that the first device need not establish a secure pairing or other type of direct connection with the peripheral device. The second device provides a profile of the peripheral to the first device. The first device can then use the profile to access the peripheral device via the second device, with the second device passing data between the first device and the peripheral identified by the profile. This bridging feature simplifies the process of using the peripheral devices, since no secure pairing or other configuration procedure is needed to enable the first device to access the peripheral.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that processes data from a user. During operation, the system obtains, at a cloud computing system, a set of data-sharing preferences for the user. Next, the system creates a set of virtual storage partitions for the user with the cloud computing system based on the data-sharing preferences. Upon receiving data from the user to the cloud computing system, the system associates the data with a virtual storage partition from the set of virtual storage partitions based on the data-sharing preferences and a set of data attributes for the data. Finally, the system manages access to the virtual storage partition by one or more other users based on the data-sharing preferences.

Abstract: Multiple mobile devices can be enabled to collaboratively search online information databases for results that may be interesting to all of them. Such search results can involve places of interest at which all of the search participants can conveniently meet due to the locations of those results being near to all of the search participants, for example.

Abstract: The method includes receiving, via the one or more input devices, a request to generate an alert when the device is near a location associated with a first identifier, wherein the first identifier is associated with a class of goods or services that is associated with a first type of location including one or more locations associated with the first identifier and a second type of location including one or more locations that are not associated with the first identifier, wherein the alert is restricted to a route constraint parameter.

Abstract: Images can be used to improve setting reminders and the usefulness of reminders. For example, a mobile device can enable the user to request a reminder that uses one or more images obtained from a camera of the mobile device. The user can set a time period for when the image-based reminder is provided to the user. The image can provide information about the reminder as well as a visual depiction of the location the reminder is intended. A location can be detected in conjunction with capturing an image, and the location can be used to form a reminder message. The image can also be analyzed to provide the content of a message (e.g., text can be identified in the image and inserted into the message or used to access a database of corresponding messages). The derived message and/or the image can be provided for the reminder.