Abstract: A centralized file management method, apparatus and article of manufacture for use in a permissions based environment. A network file transfer method can include the steps of, responsive to the activation of a browse control in a file transfer user interface, displaying a file hierarchy for locally accessible files. At least one file can be selected from the hierarchy and the displaying and selecting steps can be repeated for additional activations of the browse control. Finally, subsequent to the repeating step, each of the selected files can be uploaded to a centralized data store over a computer communications network. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the method can include compressing at least two of the selected files into a compressed file, recording a file hierarchy for the at least two selected files, aggregating the file hierarchy and the compressed file, and, uploading the aggregation to the centralized data store along with the selected files.

Abstract: A housing (12) for use in a portable electronic device (10) includes an outer visible surface (14). The outer visible surface (14) is composed of an appearance changing substance responsive to an environmental stimulus.