Abstract: A system and methods enable switching between a plurality of online media services from within an application, such as a media player application. A user can switch to any one of a number of online services made available in a services menu and thereby make that service the active service. The active service has customization opportunities that permit the service to customize parts of the media player or other application. Advantages include providing online media services with an ability to control the way in which customers discover and purchase media from within the feature rich environment of various user applications such as a PC-based media player application. From a user's perspective, the advantages include an uninterrupted media experience that can involve the entire process of discovering, purchasing and using of a wide variety of media content all from within the feature rich environment of a media player application.

Abstract: A media browsing system prepares various media content and synchronizes the content for playback. A user can specify the content and preconfigure the manner in which the content will be subsequently accessible through a user interface. A variety of mobile phone and media player devices having configurable, user interfaces promote a consistent media browsing experience across the devices for users accessing a variety of preconfigured media content.

Abstract: A graphical user interface allows users to access multiple third party services (e.g., online media services) and enables the services to provide functionality within the GUI adjacent to core functionality of a host application (e.g., a media player application, operating system shell, etc.). The GUI provides an interface region for third party service functionality that is distinct from, but equal in exposure and prominence to, the core functionality provided by the application hosting the GUI. The GUI enables seamless switching between a list of available services provided in a service menu. Switching between services replaces service function buttons and service branding according to particular service customizations.

Abstract: A media browsing system prepares various media content and synchronizes the content for playback. A user can specify the content and preconfigure the manner in which the content will be subsequently accessible through a user interface. A variety of mobile phone and media player devices having configurable, user interfaces promote a consistent media browsing experience across the devices for users accessing a variety of preconfigured media content.

Abstract: A system is described which includes a content retriever to retrieve and format data and a media file playlist generated by the content retriever from the data. The media file playlist includes a playlist entry title identifying a title for a media file, a file name identifying the media file, and a metadata tag containing data for performing an action associated with the file. Examples of the actions that may be performed are calling a phone number or sending an email. The system also includes a text file playlist generated by the content retriever from the text data in XML (extensible markup language). The text file play list includes text-to-speech markup tags indentifying the XML-formatted text file as a text-to-speech conversion file. The system further includes a text-to-speech converter configured to generate at least one audio file playlist from the text file playlist and a configuration module associated with the content retriever configured to accept user input instruction that identify the data.

Abstract: Facilitating communication with automotive vehicle buses may be enabled using a vehicle gateway device (VGWD) and/or a vehicle gateway server (VGWS). In a described implementation, a VGWS may use a vehicle model database to translate requested vehicle data in a generic format from a generic data request into a vehicle-specific data format. VGWS may then send a vehicle-specific data request that has requested vehicle data in the vehicle-specific data format to a VGWD. The VGWD is able to acquire the desired vehicle data from a vehicle bus without translation using the vehicle-specific data format. The VGWD may forward the desired vehicle data in the vehicle-specific data format to the VGWS. The VGWS may then use the vehicle model database to translate the desired vehicle data in the vehicle-specific data format into desired vehicle data in a generic format. This desired generic vehicle data may be returned to a requesting entity.

Abstract: A system is described which includes a content retriever to retrieve and format data and a media file playlist generated by the content retriever from the data. The media file playlist includes a playlist entry title identifying a title for a media file, a filename identifying the media file, and a metadata tag containing data for performing an action associated with the media file. The system also includes a text file playlist generated by the content retriever from the text data, formatted in XML (extensible markup language).

Abstract: An in-vehicle audio browser includes a first set of buttons that are configured to select a preset item. A second set of buttons move forward and backward through a list of items in the audio browser. A third button selects among multiple bands associated with the audio browser. A fourth button activates a function that varies depending on the selected band. The audio browser supports primary audio control bands that affect the audio outputs when selected and conditional audio control bands that do not affect the audio output unless some action on the band requires audio output.

Abstract: Facilitating communication with automotive vehicle buses may be enabled using a vehicle gateway device (VGWD) and/or a vehicle gateway server (VGWS). In a described implementation, a VGWS may use a vehicle model database to translate requested vehicle data in a generic format from a generic data request into a vehicle-specific data format. VGWS may then send a vehicle-specific data request that has requested vehicle data in the vehicle-specific data format to a VGWD. The VGWD is able to acquire the desired vehicle data from a vehicle bus without translation using the vehicle-specific data format. The VGWD may forward the desired vehicle data in the vehicle-specific data format to the VGWS. The VGWS may then use the vehicle model database to translate the desired vehicle data in the vehicle-specific data format into desired vehicle data in a generic format. This desired generic vehicle data may be returned to a requesting entity.

Abstract: A media browsing system prepares various media content and synchronizes the content with a media player for playback. A user can specify the content and preconfigure the manner in which the content will be subsequently accessible through a common user interface on the media player. A variety of media players having configurable, common user interfaces promote a consistent media browsing experience across media players for users accessing a variety of preconfigured media content.

Abstract: An in-vehicle audio browser includes a first set of buttons that are configured to select a preset item. A second set of buttons move forward and backward through a list of items in the audio browser. A third button selects among multiple bands associated with the audio browser. A fourth button activates a function that varies depending on the selected band. The audio browser supports primary audio control bands that affect the audio outputs when selected and conditional audio control bands that do not affect the audio output unless some action on the band requires audio output.

Abstract: A media browsing system prepares various media content and synchronizes the content with a media player for playback. A user can specify the content and preconfigure the manner in which the content will be subsequently accessible through a common user interface on the media player. A variety of media players having configurable, common user interfaces promote a consistent media browsing experience across media players for users accessing a variety of preconfigured media content.