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: 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 location-aware device operated by a first user allows the first user to request a custom notification from a second user upon the occurrence of a custom notification event specified by the first user. The custom notifications can be sent automatically from the second user's device in a text message session, e-mail thread, as an automated telephone message or by using any other available communication mode. In some implementations, the first user can request receipt of a custom notification upon occurrence of a custom notification event that is related to a POI specified by the first user.

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: 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: 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: 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: A command is received at an operating system of a first mobile phone for displaying contact information of a remote user having a mobile phone number of a second mobile phone. In response to the command, a request is transmitted to a remote server from the first mobile phone over a cellular network requesting an operating status of the second mobile phone. The operating status of the second mobile phone is received from the remote server over the cellular network. The operating status of the second mobile phone is displayed on a display of the first mobile phone as a part of contact information of the remote user associated with the second mobile phone, where the operating status includes current locality of the second mobile phone.

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.

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: 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: Systems and associated methods for providing a plurality of devices the same media content. A plurality of requests for media content may be received where each of the plurality of requests is received from a respective device. It may be determined whether the plurality of requests for media content are for the same media content. In response to determining that the plurality of requests are for the same media content, a single request for the media content may be generated. The request may be provided to a server via a wide area network. The media content may be received in response to the single request and the media content may be stored in a memory medium. The media content may be provided to each of the respective devices in response to the plurality of requests.

Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors and memory includes a procedure for using a digital assistant to automatically respond to incoming communications. In some embodiments, the device obtains a speech input from a user, and, in response to obtaining the speech input, the device determines whether the speech input includes instructions for performing a specified action in response to receipt of a subsequent incoming communication from one or more specified senders. After storing the instructions, the device obtains an incoming communication from a respective sender. The device determines whether the respective sender is one of the one or more specified senders, and, upon determining that the respective sender is one of the one or more specified senders, the device performs the specified action in accordance with the instructions and thereafter automatically deleting the instructions.

Abstract: A method and system are described for displaying a synchronized instance of content on a portable electronic device. In the described embodiments, a selection of streaming content that is being displayed on a fixed display system is received by the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device then determines if the portable electronic device is compatible with the streaming content being received by the fixed display system. If the portable electronic device is compatible with the streaming content being received by the fixed display system, then the portable electronic device requests the synchronized instance of the streaming content and displays it.

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: A speech output to be provided to a user of a device is received. Thereafter, it is determined if the device is currently receiving speech input from a user. Upon determining that the device is not currently receiving speech input from the user, the speech output to the user is provided. On the other hand, upon determining that the device is receiving speech input from the user it is determined if provision of the speech output is urgent. When the speech output is urgent, the speech output is provided to the user. When the speech output is not urgent, provision of the speech output to the user is stayed.

Abstract: A user can create geo-fences by providing a first identifier, e.g., a name of a store or a category of merchandise, and a location-based function that is triggered when the user's mobile device crosses a boundary of a geo-fence. An elapsed time that the geo-fences are not triggered can be monitored. If the elapsed time exceeds a threshold, additional geo-fences can be added based on a second identifier that is associated with the additional geo-fences. Whether the elapsed time is going to exceed the threshold can be predicted, and the additional geo-fences added at the time of the prediction, which may be before the elapsed time actually exceeds the threshold. Additionally, the user can be prompted regarding adding additional geo-fences before or after the elapsed time might exceed the threshold.

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.

Abstract: Customized images can be used to improve navigation of a user to a particular destination. For example, a mobile device can receive a first destination location of the first user. Additionally, the mobile device can receive one or more media files of the first destination location, wherein at least one of the media files is created with a recording device. Furthermore, the mobile device can further receive an indicator associating the one or more media files with the first destination location. Subsequently, the mobile device can receive a current location of the mobile device of the first user. Finally, the mobile device can display the one or more media files when the current location is within a specified distance of the first destination location.