Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a technology by which background application code (e.g., provided by third-party developers) runs on a mobile device in a way that is constrained with respect to resource usage. A resource manager processes a resource reservation request for background code, to determine whether the requested resources meet constraint criteria for that type of background code. If the criteria are met and the resources are available, the resources are reserved, whereby the background code is ensured priority access to its reserved resources. As a result, a properly coded background application that executes within its constraints will not experience glitches or other problems (e.g., unexpected termination) and thereby provide a good user experience.

Abstract: The present application allows third party applications to have customizable entry pages. In one embodiment, an Application Programming Interface (API) is used by a locally executed application to store an application entry page and/or parameters in an application database to make the entry page of the application customized to the user. In another embodiment, an icon is automatically generated in response to the API storing the customizable entry page. In yet another embodiment, multiple icons can be used for multiple customizable entry pages of a single application.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a technology by which background application code (e.g., provided by third-party developers) runs on a mobile device in a way that is constrained with respect to resource usage. A resource manager processes a resource reservation request for background code, to determine whether the requested resources meet constraint criteria for that type of background code. If the criteria are met and the resources are available, the resources are reserved, whereby the background code is ensured priority access to its reserved resources. As a result, a properly coded background application that executes within its constraints will not experience glitches or other problems (e.g., unexpected termination) and thereby provide a good user experience.

Abstract: An operating system has an audio system service that can capture all of the streaming audio destined for an output device and make it available for processing. An application can perform the processing upon the captured streaming audio. Any streaming audio that is output by the application and destined for a render device can also be captured for signal processing prior to being mixed with other streaming audio destined for the output device.

Abstract: Navigating among content data via a navigation interface includes receiving navigational input including category input and/or page input. The category input and page input each can be selected regardless of what page is currently selected. The selected page fills a substantial portion of the display space. A navigation bar including display elements of available categories also can be displayed. Touch support can be implemented using at least two different systems: Tap and Gesture. Gesture navigation can be inverted to suit the style of a particular user.

Abstract: An operating system has an audio system service that can capture all of the streaming audio destined for an output device and make it available for processing. An application can perform the processing upon the captured streaming audio. Any streaming audio that is output by the application and destined for a render device can also be captured for signal processing prior to being mixed with other streaming audio destined for the output device.