Abstract: A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays an application on the touch-sensitive display; and when the application is in a predefined mode, performs a predefined operation in response to each gesture of a set of multiple distinct gestures on the touch-sensitive display. Another aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays a first application; when the first application is in a first mode, performs a first operation upon detecting a first gesture on the touch-sensitive display; and performs the first operation upon detecting a second gesture on the touch-sensitive display, wherein the second gesture is different from the first gesture.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a portable computer having a display assembly coupled to a base assembly to alternate between a closed position and an open position. Palm rest areas are formed by a touchpad disposed on the surface of the base assembly. In an alternative embodiment, a touchpad disposed on the base assembly has a width that extends substantially into the palm rests areas of the base assembly.

Abstract: A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays an application on the touch-sensitive display; and when the application is in a predefined mode, performs a predefined operation in response to each gesture of a set of multiple distinct gestures on the touch-sensitive display. Another aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays a first application; when the first application is in a first mode, performs a first operation upon detecting a first gesture on the touch-sensitive display; and performs the first operation upon detecting a second gesture on the touch-sensitive display, wherein the second gesture is different from the first gesture.

Abstract: Selection of visualization objects, such as applications windows, is performed by determining a position of a system object. A graphical representation of a system object can be positioned over a display area of an application interface. The application interface is preeminently displayed in response to a graphical representation of system object being positioned over a corresponding display area of the application interface.

Abstract: User interface changes and file system operations related to grouping items in a destination folder are disclosed. A user can group multiple items displayed on a user interface into a destination folder using an input command. An animation can be presented in the user interface illustrating the creation of the destination folder and the movement of each selected item into the newly created folder. The movement of each selected item can be along a respective path starting from an initial location on the user interface and terminating at the destination folder, and initiation of the movement of each selected item can be asynchronous with respect to the other selected items. Implementations showing the animations in various types of user interfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems receive a reply or forward command for a selected email message in an email user interface, determine that the email user interface is in full screen mode and that the selected email message is at least partially outside of a visible area of the email user interface, and display a composition window in response to the command, wherein the displaying includes a sequence of images to create the illusion of the composition window sliding up from the bottom of the screen. In an example, a user interface includes a collapsible panel of mailboxes and folders, and a separate and independent favorites bar including a plurality of the mailboxes and folders. One of the mailboxes and folders in the favorites bar may be a hierarchical folder that includes a subfolder that is accessible via a drop down menu from the hierarchical folder in the favorites bar.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for organizing data are described. An organizational method is selected from one or more predetermined organizational methods, specified by a parameter, or determined from information about the data items. Data items are sorted based on the organizational method.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata. In one exemplary method, metadata from files created by several different software applications are captured, and the captured metadata is searched. The type of information in metadata for one type of file differs from the type of information in metadata for another type of file. Other methods are described and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a device displays content on a touch screen display and detects input by finger gestures. In response to the finger gestures, the device selects content, visually distinguishes the selected content, and/or updates the selected content based on detected input. In some embodiments, the device displays a command display area that includes one or more command icons; detects activation of a command icon in the command display area; and, in response to detecting activation of the command icon in the command display area, performs a corresponding action with respect to the selected content. Exemplary actions include cutting, copying, and pasting content.

Abstract: This is directed to animating transitions in a user interface as the orientation of the user interface changes. An electronic device can display a user interface in any suitable orientation, including for example in portrait and landscape modes (e.g., based on the orientation of the display). To provide a resource efficient and aesthetically pleasing transition, the electronic device can pre-render the interface in the final orientation, and define an animation by cross-fading the interface between the initial and final interfaces. In some embodiments, the electronic device can identify distinct regions of the interface, and define separate animations for each region. The separate animations can be overlaid and displayed simultaneously to provide a uniform animated transition between the initial and final interfaces.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for centralized access to multimedia content stored on or available to a computing device are disclosed. The centralized access can be provided by a media control interface that receives user inputs and interacts with media programs resident on the computing device to produce graphical user interfaces that can be presented on a display device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device optionally identifies a person's face, and optionally performs an action in accordance with the identification. In some embodiments, an electronic device optionally determines a gaze location in a user interface, and optionally performs an action in accordance with the determination. In some embodiments, an electronic device optionally designates a user as being present at a sound-playback device in accordance with a determination that sound-detection criteria and verification criteria have been satisfied. In some embodiments, an electronic device optionally determines whether a person is further or closer than a threshold distance from a display device, and optionally provides a first or second user interface for display on the display device in accordance with the determination. In some embodiments, an electronic device optionally modifies the playing of media content in accordance with a determination that one or more presence criteria are not satisfied.

Abstract: A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays an application on the touch-sensitive display; and when the application is in a predefined mode, performs a predefined operation in response to each gesture of a set of multiple distinct gestures on the touch-sensitive display. Another aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which the portable electronic device: displays a first application; when the first application is in a first mode, performs a first operation upon detecting a first gesture on the touch-sensitive display; and performs the first operation upon detecting a second gesture on the touch-sensitive display, wherein the second gesture is different from the first gesture.

Abstract: Selection of visualization objects, such as applications windows, is performed by determining a position of a system object. A graphical representation of a system object can be positioned over a display area of an application interface. The application interface is preeminently displayed in response to a graphical representation of system object being positioned over a corresponding display area of the application interface.

Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a light source configured to output light. The computing device also includes a light sensor configured to measure the level of light surrounding the computing device. The computing device further includes a control mechanism operatively coupled to the light source and light sensor and configured to adjust the level of output light based on the measured level of light surrounding the computing device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a search capability to allow a user to easily locate a preference control, file, folder, control, or other system resource or data item associated with a search result. In one embodiment, a user enters a search term (or a portion thereof) in a search field associated with one or more resource types that may be searched. The user may be presented with a pop-up menu containing a list of likely matches. The user selects the desired preference control from the pop-up menu, and the corresponding preference pane, or other container, containing the selected data item, control, or other resource is displayed. In one aspect, as the user enters the search term (or portion thereof), certain icons are highlighted. Specifically, those icons that represent containers containing matching data items (such as preference panes having controls that match the search term) are highlighted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata. In one exemplary method, metadata from files created by several different software applications are captured, and the captured metadata is searched. The type of information in metadata for one type of file differs from the type of information in metadata for another type of file. Other methods are described and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device optionally identifies a person's face, and optionally performs an action in accordance with the identification. In some embodiments, an electronic device optionally determines a gaze location in a user interface, and optionally performs an action in accordance with the determination. In some embodiments, an electronic device optionally designates a user as being present at a sound-playback device in accordance with a determination that sound-detection criteria and verification criteria have been satisfied. In some embodiments, an electronic device optionally determines whether a person is further or closer than a threshold distance from a display device, and optionally provides a first or second user interface for display on the display device in accordance with the determination. In some embodiments, an electronic device optionally modifies the playing of media content in accordance with a determination that one or more presence criteria are not satisfied.