Abstract: There is disclosed a method and system for managing file metadata stored in one or more catalogs on a wireless handheld device. In an embodiment, the method comprises: connecting to one or more file libraries stored remotely from the device; downloading to the device one or more catalogs storing file metadata for one or more file libraries stored remotely from the device; and remotely updating on the device the one or more catalogs such that the file metadata in one or more file libraries stored remotely from the device are substantially up-to-date on the device.

Abstract: A method and devices for providing secure data backup from a mobile communication device to an external computing device is described. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of backing up data from a mobile communication device to an external computing device, the mobile communication device being in communication with the external computing device, the method includes: receiving a request to backup one or more data items stored on the mobile communication device; encrypting a data item using an encryption key stored in a protected memory of the mobile communication device; and transferring the encrypted data item to the external computing device for storage by the external computing device. A method of restoring backup data to a mobile communication device from an external computing device is also provided, as are mobile communication devices and computing devices configured for implementing the backup and restore operations.

Abstract: A method disclosed herein includes displaying information associated with a first application in a display area of an electronic device, detecting a change in direction of a continuous gesture across at least a portion of the display area between a first direction and a second direction different than the first direction, the continuous gesture associated with a request to display information of a second application, the first application being different than the second application, in response to detecting the change in direction of the continuous gesture, reducing display of the first application to a first portion of the display area and presenting a preview of information associated with the second application in a second portion of the display area in which the first application was presented prior to detection of the continuous gesture, based on a first characteristic of the continuous gesture, discontinuing providing the first information and display the second application in the display area, and base

Abstract: A method includes displaying information associated with an application on an electronic device, providing a visual notification of a received communication, and detecting a gesture. In response to detecting the gesture, a first part of an inbox is displayed while reducing display of the information, including at least partially displaying information associated with the received communication. Based on a characteristic of the gesture, providing the visual notification is discontinued.

Abstract: A system selects an application program for download. The system includes a host system, such as a personal computer, having a disk sub-system storing a plurality of application programs. The disk sub-system includes a file storing a plurality of identifiers, with each of at least some of the identifiers being associated with one or more of the application programs. A target system, such as a wireless handheld electronic device, includes a hardware identifier and a vendor identifier. A communications channel connects the host system and the target system. An application loader routine executes at the host system, communicates with the target system through the communications channel, requests the hardware and vendor identifiers as a received identifier from the target system over the communication channel, and employs the identifiers and the received identifier to select one of the application programs for download from the host system to the target system.

Abstract: A method for use in an electronic device including a display and a keyboard, the method including: receiving input reflecting selection of one or more characters through the keyboard; generating a predicted string of one or more characters based on the received input; determining a confidence value for the predicted string, based on a determination that the received input associated with a first one of the one or more selected characters reflects more than a single tap on a key of the keyboard; and displaying the predicted string on the display based on the determined confidence value.

Abstract: A method for navigating through notifications on a wireless device having a primary user interface shown on a primary display and a secondary user interface shown on a secondary display, the method comprising the steps of: generating a notification at the wireless device, the notification being associated with an event; detecting if the secondary user interface is being shown; indicating the notification on the secondary user interface if the secondary user interface is being shown; displaying a preview of the event on the secondary user interface in response to a selection of the notification in a preview mode; and closing the preview of the event on the secondary user interface in response to a deselection of the notification and bringing the secondary user interface out of the preview mode; wherein the notification is still maintained after displaying the preview of the associated event.

Abstract: A system selects an application program for download. The system includes a host system, such as a personal computer, having a disk sub-system storing a plurality of application programs. The disk sub-system includes a file storing a plurality of identifiers, with each of at least some of the identifiers being associated with one or more of the application programs. A target system, such as a wireless handheld electronic device, includes a hardware identifier and a vendor identifier. A communications channel connects the host system and the target system. An application loader routine executes at the host system, communicates with the target system through the communications channel, requests the hardware and vendor identifiers as a received identifier from the target system over the communication channel, and employs the identifiers and the received identifier to select one of the application programs for download from the host system to the target system.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and system for managing file metadata stored in one or more catalogs on a wireless handheld device. In an embodiment, the method comprises: connecting to one or more file libraries stored remotely from the device; downloading to the device one or more catalogs storing file metadata for one or more file libraries stored remotely from the device; and remotely updating on the device the one or more catalogs such that the file metadata in one or more file libraries stored remotely from the device are substantially up-to-date on the device.

Abstract: Based on user configuration, a main messaging user interface screen on a messaging device either presents a list of references to messages stored on the device based on a complete index of references to the stored messages or based on a filtered index of references to the stored messages. References to stored messages of a predetermined type are not maintained in the filtered index.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method and communication device for initiating voice calls. Number strings are identified in displayed text. Number strings are displayed in different formats depending on whether the number strings meet predetermined criteria. A list of user selectable functions is displayed when predetermined user input is detected. The list of user selectable functions includes a voice call function for initiating a voice call to a selected number string. A voice call to the selected number string can be initiated when the voice call function is selected.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method provide an improved call log that presents information relating to logged phone calls in a collapsed manner, meaning that for each phone number having a call stored in the memory of the device, only the most recent in time call is listed on the call log. An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method also provide a call history for any phone call from the improved call log that is selected by the user. The call history includes a listing of all of the calls stored by the device that are associated with the selected call log call.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and system for managing file metadata stored in one or more catalogs on a wireless handheld device. In an embodiment, the method comprises: connecting to one or more file libraries stored remotely from the device; downloading to the device one or more catalogs storing file metadata for one or more file libraries stored remotely from the device; and remotely updating on the device the one or more catalogs such that the file metadata in one or more file libraries stored remotely from the device are substantially up-to-date on the device.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method provide a simplified mechanism for enabling and disabling a short-range wireless communications element used to create a connection to a short-range wireless network, such as a Bluetooth™ network. The method, implemented by the handheld electronic device, includes enabling the short-range wireless communications element, pairing the handheld electronic device with a second electronic device using the short-range wireless communications element, and providing a first icon on the handheld electronic device after pairing the handheld electronic device with the second electronic device. Thereafter, the method includes disabling the short-range wireless communications element and providing a second icon on the handheld electronic device whenever the first icon is activated, and enabling the short-range wireless communications element and providing the first icon on the handheld electronic device whenever the second icon is activated.

Abstract: An electronic device, such as a mobile communication device, and a method are provided for multiple-stage interface control of the device. The device is provided with a homescreen display, which includes a plurality of panels. The panels include at least one panel that is a fullscreen view of a first application executing on the device. This first application can be a messaging application, and the fullscreen view can be a unified inbox view for a plurality of different message types. The panels also include at least one launch panel having a number of graphical user interface elements, such as icons, representing access points to a corresponding application on the device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for displaying action items based on date information and importance information are described. In one embodiment, a method implemented by a processor of a personal electronic device is described. The method includes: accessing a plurality of action items, at least a subset of the action items having associated date information and importance information; and displaying, on a display of the personal electronic device, a graphical representation of the plurality of the action items, the graphical representation including an action item identifier for each of the plurality of action items, at least a subset of the action item identifiers being displayed at positions determined at least in part by the date information and the importance information for the action items associated with the action item identifiers.

Abstract: An electronic device, such as a mobile communication device, and a method are provided for multiple-stage interface control of the device. The device is provided with a homescreen display, which includes a plurality of panels. The panels include at least one panel that is a fullscreen view of a first application executing on the device. This first application can be a messaging application, and the fullscreen view can be a unified inbox view for a plurality of different message types. The panels also include at least one launch panel having a number of graphical user interface elements, such as icons, representing access points to a corresponding application on the device.

Abstract: An electronic device, such as a mobile communication device, and a method are provided for selective access to certain homescreen panels displayable by the device. The device is provided with a homescreen display, which includes a plurality of panels. The panels include at least one panel that is a fullscreen view of a first application executing on the device. This first application can be a messaging application, and the fullscreen view can be a unified inbox view for a plurality of different message types. The panels also include at least one launch panel having a number of graphical user interface elements, such as icons, representing access points to a corresponding application on the device. When navigating from one of the launch panels to the fullscreen view, an intermediate lock interface for receiving an unlocking input is displayed. The unlocking input is received before the fullscreen view is displayed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for interfacing between a mobile device and a PC. The mobile device utilizes a connection with the PC for taking advantage of the larger display and input devices such as the keyboard on the PC to improve the user interface (UI). This also enables the user to take advantage of the mobile device's wireless connectivity at the same time, e.g. where the PC does not have the same connectivity.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for call notifications to active communication devices are provided. At an apparatus comprising a processor and a communication interface, a call for a first device is received via the communication interface. When is determined that a second device is active, a notification of the call is transmitted to the second device.