Abstract:
Enhanced content consumption is provided by establishing a pairing between two computing devices, wherein at least one of the two computing devices provides a primary consumption experience of a digital content item, so that a secondary consumption experience can be provided via operation of at least one of the two computing devices. The method further comprises presenting, using at least one of the two computing devices, the digital content item for consumption by a user. The method further comprises performing one or more supplemental consumption functions with the other of the two computing devices.
Abstract:
Enhanced content consumption is provided by establishing a pairing between two computing devices, wherein at least one of the two computing devices provides a primary consumption experience of a digital content item, so that a secondary consumption experience can be provided via operation of at least one of the two computing devices. The method further comprises presenting, using at least one of the two computing devices, the digital content item for consumption by a user. The method further comprises performing one or more supplemental consumption functions with the other of the two computing devices.
Abstract:
Accordingly, the present discussion is directed in one respect; to a method of associating metadata with a digital content item and then controlling the presentation of that item in accordance with metadata-associated controls/constraints. The method may include determining a time-specific portion of a digital content item with which a user desires to associate a metadata item; associating the metadata item with the time-specific portion of the digital content item. During subsequent consumption of the digital content item by the user or another, the metadata item is presented synchronously in co lection with the time-specific portion of the digital content item, where such presentation is constrained or controlled in response to user-controlled filters implemented through a social network.
Abstract:
Embodiments related to the provision of advertising in an electronic media environment are disclosed. For example, one embodiment provides, on a computing device including a media player and an advertising layer configured to display advertising information related to media played via the media player, a method of presenting advertising content for media. The method includes receiving an input requesting playback of a media content item, sending a request for the media content item to a media server, receiving the media content item from the media server, and receiving advertising layer information from the media server. The method further comprises associating trigger points in the advertising layer information with the media content item, playing the media content item, and upon reaching a selected trigger point during playback of the media content item, triggering display of a notification to notify the user of available advertising content.
Abstract:
A method of generating content recommendations to groups of users is provided. The method includes establishing a group, determining group-associated characteristics, where such characteristics include preferences independent of any merging, intersection or other combination of individual preferences of the group members, and providing content recommendations to the group based on the group-associated characteristics.
Abstract:
An item can be added to an avatar associated with a user of a video game console. The item is represented by a data entry that is written to a manifest, which contains data fields storing a type and a name of the item. Items can be applied to or “worn” by an avatar by setting a flag in the corresponding data entry in the manifest. Items can be obtained from a number of sources, including, for example, disc based games and a server connected to the video game console. Further, items can be obtained as a reward for attaining achievements in a game.
Abstract:
An avatar along with its accessories, emotes, and animations may be system provided and omnipresent. In this manner, the avatar and its accessories, emotes, and animations may be available across multiple environments provided or exposed by multiple avatar computing applications, such as computer games, chats, forums, communities, or instant messaging services. An avatar system may change the avatar and its accessories, emotes, and animations, e.g. pursuant to a request from the user, instructions from an avatar computing application, or updates provided by software associated with a computing device. The avatar and its accessories, emotes, and animations may be changed by a system or computing application associated with a computing device outside of a computer game or computing environment in which the avatar may be rendered or used by the user.
Abstract:
An integrated gaming and media experience is disclosed, including television viewing on a gaming console. A client component is installed via a bootstrap process that uses authentication information to accomplish this task. Once installed, it integrates itself into a typical gaming display. Various console hardware details are used to enable communication between the client component and downstream servers providing the content. Once up and running, the client component allows users to watch television as if they were interacting with a set-top box. Users may switch between various applications on the gaming console, including but not limited to game titles, DVR, VOD, DVD programs, and so on.
Abstract:
Various mechanisms are disclosed herein for integrating media on a gaming console. For instance, a dashboard having a plurality of media selections can be displayed, where such a dashboard is native to a gaming console and where at least one of the media selections is a television selection. Moreover, users can be provided with the option of switching back and forth between the television selection and other media selections in the plurality of media selections, such as music, video, VOD, DVD programs, and so on. Users can be provided with the option of selecting starting of the gaming console as a set-top box, or with the option of selecting remote starting of the gaming console as a set-top using a gaming controller, or with the option of selecting starting of the gaming console as a title.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an application programming interface (API) that provides for an extensible avatar system. In one embodiment an API may allow video game applications to retrieve structures of data which represent an avatar. The game can then take those structures and incorporate the data into its own rendering system. In another embodiment an API may allow a video game application to render an avatar to a render target or texture wherein the video game system performs rendering and animation functions.