Abstract: A programmable effects system for graphical user interfaces is disclosed. One embodiment comprises adjusting a graphical user interface in response to a tilt of a device. In this way, a graphical user interface may display a parallax effect in response to the device tilt.

Abstract: A flexible, scalable hardware input device for interacting with a variety of devices ranging from a phone, to a media playback device to a steering wheel or a tablet PC is provided. The input device includes a set of mechanical input controls, each mapping to one or more independent functions and a set of touch sensitive input control areas (e.g., capacitive), where each touch sensitive input control area receives touch input independently. In addition, one or more of the touch sensitive input control areas interchangeably overlay one or more of the mechanical input controls, whereby interaction with the touch sensitive input control areas is processed together to determine a corresponding function for controlling the application, service or computing device.

Abstract: By adjusting visual settings on a display behind a section of a background to emphasize menu options, a user can determine the status in the series of menus and sub-menus and can better read the menu options.

Abstract: A programmable effects system for graphical user interfaces is disclosed. One embodiment comprises adjusting a graphical user interface in response to a tilt of a device. In this way, a graphical user interface may display a parallax effect in response to the device tilt.

Abstract: A programmable effects system for graphical user interfaces is disclosed. One embodiment comprises adjusting a graphical user interface in response to a tilt of a device. In this way, a graphical user interface may display a parallax effect in response to the device tilt.

Abstract: A method to indicate that a first device is in communication with a second device is disclosed. The first device may receive an indication activity from the second device. The indication activity may change the display and the illumination object on the first device and the displays on the illumination object and the display are similar.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern detecting and responding to a crane gesture performed for a touch or hover-sensitive device. An example apparatus may include a hover-sensitive input/output interface configured to display an object that can be manipulated using a crane gesture. The apparatus may include a proximity detector configured to detect an object in a hover-space associated with the hover-sensitive input/output interface. The apparatus may include fogies configured to change a state of the object from untouched to target to pinched to lifted to released in response to detecting the appearance and movement of bracket points. The appearance of the object may change in response to detecting the state changes.

Abstract: A flexible, scalable hardware input device for interacting with a variety of devices ranging from a phone, to a media playback device to a steering wheel or a tablet PC is provided. The input device includes a set of mechanical input controls, each mapping to one or more independent functions and a set of touch sensitive input control areas (e.g., capacitive), where each touch sensitive input control area receives touch input independently. In addition, one or more of the touch sensitive input control areas interchangeably overlay one or more of the mechanical input controls, whereby interaction with the touch sensitive input control areas is processed together to determine a corresponding function for controlling the application, service or computing device.

Abstract: A salient control element for a mobile device comprises at least one button actuatable by a user to execute a mobile device function. The button has at least a first active state in which the button is extended or retracted relative to a surrounding surface and a second inactive state in which the button is substantially flush with the surrounding surface. The button is reconfigurable between the active state and the inactive state based upon a triggering event. The triggering event comprises at least one of receiving signals indicating a position, motion or orientation of the device, signals indicating a mode of operation or time, signals indicating that a predetermined application or service is active, signals indicating a current wireless communication, or signals indicating the mobile device is in a predetermined venue.

Abstract: A flexible, scalable hardware input device for interacting with a variety of devices ranging from a phone, to a media playback device to a steering wheel or a tablet PC is provided. The input device includes a set of mechanical input controls, each mapping to one or more independent functions and a set of touch sensitive input control areas (e.g., capacitive), where each touch sensitive input control area receives touch input independently. In addition, one or more of the touch sensitive input control areas interchangeably overlay one or more of the mechanical input controls, whereby interaction with the touch sensitive input control areas is processed together to determine a corresponding function for controlling the application, service or computing device.

Abstract: A media player is adapted to organize and display nearby media device information between communicating media devices before a complete connection is established. A nearby media device receives a message that is either generally or specifically sent from another media device. The nearby device determines whether the sending media device is blocked and whether to accept the message. The nearby device accepts the message if it originates from a compatible source. If the message is accepted, the nearby device sends an acknowledgement message containing a unique device name and a device status to the sending device. The sending device then displays the unique device name and status.

Abstract: Each of one or more songs in a song list is analyzed to determine whether the song satisfies a set of criteria at its current location. For each of the one or more songs that satisfies the set of criteria, the song is kept at its current location in the song list. For each of the one or more songs that does not satisfy the set of criteria, an attempt is made to select (e.g., randomly) another song in an unprocessed portion of the song list that satisfies the set of criteria. If a selected song satisfies the set of criteria then the song and the selected song are swapped. However, if greater than a threshold number of attempts to select a song that satisfies the set of criteria are made, then the song is kept at its current location in the song list.

Abstract: A programmable effects system for graphical user interfaces is disclosed. One embodiment comprises adjusting a graphical user interface in response to a tilt of a device. In this way, a graphical user interface may display a parallax effect in response to the device tilt.

Abstract: A method to indicate that a first device is in communication with a second device is disclosed. The first device may receive an indication activity from the second device. The indication activity may change the display and the illumination object on the first device and the displays on the illumination object and the display are similar.

Abstract: By adjusting visual settings on a display behind a section of a background to emphasize menu options, a user can determine the status in the series of menus and sub-menus and can better read the menu options.

Abstract: A programmable effects system for graphical user interfaces is disclosed. One embodiment comprises adjusting a graphical user interface in response to a tilt of a device. In this way, a graphical user interface may have viewable content not shown in a first view, where the viewable content may be displayed in a tilted view in response to the device tilt.

Abstract: A method to indicate that a first device is in communication with a second device is disclosed. The first device may receive an indication activity from the second device. The indication activity may change the display and the illumination object on the first device and the displays on the illumination object and the display are similar.

Abstract: By adjusting visual settings on a display behind a section of a background to emphasize menu options, a user can determine the status in the series of menus and sub-menus and can better read the menu options.

Abstract: A media object being played by a user may be marked by creating a mark object comprising the playback time when the mark was created. The time may be used to reference metadata with information about the media object at the time referenced. The metadata may be used to launch web searches corresponding to elements of the media at the time in question, for example, a back up singer at a point in a music track or the name of a resort in a movie. The searches may be performed from media player or the mark object may be transferred to a networked computer for performing the searches. The technique is equally applicable to portable media players, software or firmware media players on computers, or set top boxes.

Abstract: Each of one or more songs in a song list is analyzed to determine whether the song satisfies a set of criteria at its current location. For each of the one or more songs that satisfies the set of criteria, the song is kept at its current location in the song list. For each of the one or more songs that does not satisfy the set of criteria, an attempt is made to select (e.g., randomly) another song in an unprocessed portion of the song list that satisfies the set of criteria. If a selected song satisfies the set of criteria then the song and the selected song are swapped. However, if greater than a threshold number of attempts to select a song that satisfies the set of criteria are made, then the song is kept at its current location in the song list.