Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for intelligently managing a playlist of digital media provide an intelligent dynamic queue that is configured to manage the playback of digital media. The queue can transition between passive playback mode, active playback mode, and mixed playback mode. The queue can handle the playback of the songs in the queue according to the playback mode and/or a queue status field that is associated with each song in the queue.

Example systems, apparatus, and methods receive audio information including a plurality of frames from a source device, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames includes one or more audio samples and a time stamp indicating when to play the one or more audio samples of the respective frame. In an example, the time stamp is updated for each of the plurality of frames using a time differential value determined between clock information received from the source device and clock information associated with the device. The updated time stamp is stored for each of the plurality of frames, and the audio information is output based on the plurality of frames and associated updated time stamps. A number of samples per frame to be output is adjusted based on a comparison between the updated time stamp for the frame and a predicted time value for play back of the frame.

A first device includes one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one or more programs include instructions for receiving, from a second device, audio mix information for a first audio item and receiving, from the second device, an indication that the first audio item is to be mixed with a second audio item distinct from the first audio item. In response to the indication, the one or more programs include instructions for transmitting to the second device an audio stream including the first audio item and the second audio item mixed in accordance with the audio mix information.

Certain exemplary embodiments relate to entertainment systems and, more particularly, to systems that incorporate digital downloading jukebox features and improved user interfaces. For instance, a smart search may be provided, e.g., where search results vary based on the popularity of songs within the venue, in dependence on songs being promoted, etc. As another example, a tile-based approach to organizing groupings of songs is provided. Groupings may involve self-populating collections of songs that combine centrally-promoted songs, songs in a given genre that are popular across an audiovisual distribution network, and songs that are locally popular and match up with the given genre (e.g., because of shared attributes such as same or similar genre, artist, etc.). Different tile visual presentations also are contemplated, as are different physical jukebox designs. In certain example embodiments, a sealed core unit with the “brains” of the jukebox is insertable into a docking station.

A network device is configured to (i) play back a media item indicated by a remote playback queue provided by a cloud-based computing system, (ii) receive an indication that a playback device is available for playback, (iii) display a now playing screen including (a) information identifying the media item, and (b) an icon that indicates that the network device is not in a connected state with any other network device, (iv) receive a first input selecting the icon, (v) in response to the first input, display a list of one or more available network devices including the playback device, (vi) receive a second input selecting the playback device from the list (vii) after receiving the second input, update the list to indicate that the playback device is selected for playback of the remote playback queue, and (viii) transfer playback of the remote playback queue from the network device to the playback device.

Example embodiments involve remote creation of a playback queue for an event. An example implementation involves a cloud computing system receiving, from a first mobile device, one or more messages representing an instruction to create a playlist for an event. In response, the system creates the playlist in data storage. The system sends, to multiple second mobile devices, one or more respective invitations to the event, wherein each invitation indicates: a time and date for the event and a link to a web interface including controls to add audio tracks to the playlist for the event. The system receives respective sets of input data, each set indicating audio tracks selected via the web interface on a respective second mobile device and, in response, adds the respective audio tracks to the playlist. During the event, the system causes the playlist to be queued in a queue of a media playback system.

This disclosure concerns the playback of audio content, e.g. in the form of music. More particularly, the disclosure concerns the playback of streamed audio. In one example embodiment, there is a method of operating an electronic device for dynamically controlling a playlist including one or several audio items. A request to adjust an energy level (e.g. a tempo) associated with the playlist is received. In response to receiving this request, the playlist is adjusted in accordance with the requested energy level (e.g., the tempo).

Methods, systems and computer program products are provided personalizing recommendations of items with associated explanations. The example embodiments described herein use contextual bandits to personalize explainable recommendations (“recsplanations”) as treatments (“Bart”). Bart learns and predicts satisfaction (e.g., click-through rate, consumption probability) for any combination of item, explanation, and context and, through logging and contextual bandit retraining, can learn from its mistakes in an online setting.

In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving a first signal indicative of a current emotional state of a user, receiving a second signal corresponding to a desired emotional state of the user, and based on the first and second signals, generating a playlist of media content including a first item and an nth item. The first signal can be received from a wearable sensor. Generating the playlist can comprise selecting items of media content, and arranging the media content in a sequential order such that the playlist transitions from the first item toward the nth item. The method can further comprise playing back, via a playback device, at least the first item of the media content, and while playing back the first item, receiving a third signal indicative of an updated emotional state of the user.

A system, method and computer program product for accessing content based on an image. The method comprises comparing an image to a database of images, each of the images of the database being associated with at least one corresponding audio track, identifying those ones images of the database that correspond to the image, and identifying the at least one corresponding audio track that corresponds to the identified images. In one example aspect, the method also comprises presenting the audio track to a user. Corresponding metadata also can be presented. The images may be classified by, e.g., genre, musical album, concept, or the like, and, in cases where an input image is determined to belong to any such classes, audio content and/or metadata relating thereto are identified and presented to the user.