Remote process management

One or more computer hardware storage media comprising computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by a computing device, perform a method of using a companion device to control a viewport of a media application running on a primary device, the method comprising:

• outputting for display on the companion device, a process-management interface generated by a control application running on the companion device, wherein the process-management interface identifies a plurality of media applications running on the primary device, the process-management interface further comprising an application selection control that allows the user to set a targeting of the control application to one of multiple media applications running on the primary device;
• receiving, at the companion device, a user interaction with the application-selection control selecting a first application of the plurality of media applications running on the primary device to target;
• setting the targeting of the control application to a first media application, while a control focus of the primary device is simultaneously on a second media application, thereby causing the primary device and the companion device to be focused on two different applications running on the primary device, wherein the control focus being of the primary device is controlling the second media application running, the first media application not receiving user instructions through the primary device;
• receiving, at the companion device while the targeting of the companion device is set to the first media application, a user instruction to change a state of the first media application;
• and
• communicating, from the companion device to the primary device, a command carrying the user instruction.

A system for using a control application on a companion device to control a process running on a primary device, the system comprising:

• one or more hardware processors and memory storing computer-executable instructions and components embodied thereon that, when executed, by the one or more hardware processors, causes the hardware processors to execute:
• a companion component configured for:
• outputting for display on the companion device a process-management interface generated by the control application, the process-management interface identifying a plurality of media applications running on the primary device, the process-management interface further comprising an application selection control that allows the user to set a targeting of the control application to one of multiple media applications running on the primary device;
• receiving, at the companion device, a user interaction with the application-selection control selecting a first media application of the plurality of media applications running on the primary device to target;
• setting the targeting of the control application to the first media application, while a control focus of the primary device is simultaneously on a second media application, thereby causing the primary device and the companion device to be focused on two different applications running on the primary device, wherein the primary device is controlling the second media application and the first media application is not receiving active user instructions through the primary device;
• receiving, at the companion device, a user instruction to change a state of the first media application;
• and
• communicating, from the companion device to the primary device, a command carrying the user instruction.