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: 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: 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: Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for an event sharing protocol for data processing devices. In some implementations, a first user's interactions with a first device are recorded as events and stored in an event history log. Upon request by the first user, an event data packet is transferred to a second device. The event data packet includes a payload comprising one or more event commands and operands. At the second device, the one or more event commands and operands are used by a service to replicate the events or initiate a new event on the second device.

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: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for sending transfer requests, receiving approvals, and carrying out transfers in a digital wallet application. A mobile payment engine receives a request from a client application associated with a first digital card to apply assets from at least one additional digital card to the first digital card, receives receiving approval to transfer assets from the at least one additional digital card to the first digital card, and transfers the assets to the first digital card. Transfers can be made between digital cards in the same client's digital wallet application and transfers can be made between multiple client device accounts.

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: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for obtaining updated navigation information are presented. A first computing device can receive routing information from a second computing device, where the routing information is indicative of a route determined by the second computing device to a destination. Subsequently, navigation instructions can be provided at the first computing device based upon the routing information received from the second computing device. The first computing device then can receive, from the second computing device, a change to the routing information. Thereafter, and responsive to receiving the change to the routing information, the first computing device can provide modified navigation instructions.

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: 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: A device includes a touch sensitive surface for receiving touch input or gestures associated with two or more markers representing two or more locations defining a route on a map display. Based on the touch input or gesture, information associated with the route is provided to the user including, for example, the travel distance between the two or more locations and an estimated travel time. In some implementations, a gesture associated with two or more markers representing locations on a map display opens a user interface for providing travel directions for a route associated with the two or more locations.

Abstract: Ride-sharing transportation arrangements can be electronically coordinated between members of a social group. The coordination can involve allowing members to electronically request or offer rides, gathering information pertinent to the ride share (e.g., a current or home location or a suspected destination location based on invitation response), generating proposed ride-sharing transportation routes, and sequentially presenting the proposed routes to members in order to arrive at an agreeable arrangement without unduly bothering involved members. Ride-sharing can thus be promoted due to the ease of the coordination, ride-sharers' familiarity and comfort with each other, and potentially, due to ride-sharers' overlap in destination locations.

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: 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 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: 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 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: 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: A method for recording between a first device and a second device includes, prior to establishing a connection for recording between the first and second devices, creating a list of trusted devices. Presence of the second device on the list indicates permission to record a communication between the first and second devices. The method further includes storing the list of trusted devices, wherein the list is accessible by the first device, establishing the connection for recording between the first and second devices, verifying by the first device that the second device is on the list of trusted second devices, and recording at least a portion of the communication between the first and second devices if indicated by a user of the first device without further input from a user of the second device.

Abstract: Setting up a user equipment (UE) device via a peer-to-peer wireless link. A peer device may be discovered using a peer-to-peer wireless communication protocol. A peer-to-peer wireless link may be established with the peer device using the peer-to-peer wireless communication protocol. Device setup information for the UE may be requested from the peer device via the peer-to-peer wireless link. The device setup information may be received from the peer device via the peer-to-peer wireless link. The UE may be configured using the device setup information.

Abstract: A telephone number is automatically adjusted in the context a business card or other telephone number exchange. The country code, area code, or other prefix portion is added, removed, or modified based on a location associated with the telephone number and/or a location associated with the recipient. In one example, a sending device looks up location information by contacting the service provider, using locally-stored information, or otherwise, and, based on this information, includes au appropriate prefix. The sending device can also use a location associated with the recipient in determining an appropriate prefix or adjusting a received prefix, for example, based on the recipient's own telephone number. Adjustments to telephone numbers can also be made by recipient devices, intermediary devices, and any other devices that may be involved in the exchange of telephone numbers, business card information, or related activities, and in other contexts as well.