Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for management of user interface elements based on historical configuration data. Use of historical configuration data to render user interface elements improves usability of graphical user interfaces by maintaining a consistent user experience. The states of user interface objects in a hosting environment are retained as historical configuration data and linked to a hosting environment profile. When the same or similar hosting environment is detected, the user interface elements are rendered based on the historical configuration data. For example, the last positions of windows in a particular monitor topology are stored as historical configuration data linked to that monitor topology. The windows are returned to their previous positions when a computing device is next configured with the same or similar monitor topology.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive interface in a multi-application immersive environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable a user to alter sizes and/or a layout of multiple immersive interfaces with as little as one selection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for management of user interface elements based on historical configuration data. Use of historical configuration data to render user interface elements improves usability of graphical user interfaces by maintaining a consistent user experience. The states of user interface objects in a hosting environment are retained as historical configuration data and linked to a hosting environment profile. When the same or similar hosting environment is detected, the user interface elements are rendered based on the historical configuration data. For example, the last positions of windows in a particular monitor topology are stored as historical configuration data linked to that monitor topology. The windows are returned to their previous positions when a computing device is next configured with the same or similar monitor topology.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive interface in a multi-application immersive environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable a user to alter sizes and/or a layout of multiple immersive interfaces with as little as one selection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for management of user interface elements based on historical configuration data. Use of historical configuration data to render user interface elements improves usability of graphical user interfaces by maintaining a consistent user experience. The states of user interface objects in a hosting environment are retained as historical configuration data and linked to a hosting environment profile. When the same or similar hosting environment is detected, the user interface elements are rendered based on the historical configuration data. For example, the last positions of windows in a particular monitor topology are stored as historical configuration data linked to that monitor topology. The windows are returned to their previous positions when a computing device is next configured with the same or similar monitor topology.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of containing an application in an immersive non-windowed environment. For instance, the application may be configured for use in a windowed environment. Containing the application in the immersive non-windowed environment may involve selectively implementing functionality that is associated with the application based at least in part on whether the functionality is applicable to the immersive non-windowed environment. For example, when a request to implement functionality that is not applicable to the immersive non-windowed environment is received, functionality that is applicable to the immersive non-windowed environment may be implemented in lieu of the functionality that is not applicable to the immersive non-windowed environment. In another example, no action may be taken with regard to the request.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling a multi-application environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable multi-application environments having combinations of immersive interfaces, windows-based interfaces, and a desktop treated as an immersive interface.

Abstract: Application closing techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a computing device recognizes an input as involving selection of an application displayed in a display environment by the computing device and subsequent movement of a point of the selection toward an edge of the display environment. Responsive to the recognizing of the input, the selected application is closed by the computing device.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide for use of multiple different search engines. The individual search engines are configured to conduct searches in different ways across a search space that includes different types of data sets. In at least some embodiments, the type of search engine that is utilized is selected to due characteristics of the data set(s) that is (are) to be searched. In search spaces that include different types of data sets, combining and mixing different search engines to collectively search the search space can provide a desirably fast and robust user experience.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive interface in a multi-application immersive environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable a user to alter sizes and/or a layout of multiple immersive interfaces with as little as one selection.

Abstract: A shared edge for a display environment is described. In one or more implementations, a display environment of a computing device that is implemented using a plurality of display devices is configured to include a shared edge defined through a described arrangement of at least two of the display devices in relation to each other. Responsive to an input that describes movement of a cursor across at least a portion of the shared edge, an element is displayed in the display environment.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a presentation action (e.g., rendering a menu) by applying a drag-operation at a top-level control button rendered at a touchscreen display are provided. Initially, aspects of a user-initiated input applied at the top-level control button are detected. These aspects may include an actuation location and a distance of a drag-movement therefrom. If a distance of the drag-movement at the touchscreen display is greater than a threshold distance in a particular radial direction from the actuation location, the user-initiated input is considered a drag-operation. Typically, a set of trigger boundaries are constructed based on system metrics to assist in disambiguating the drag-operation from a tap-type operation. If a drag-operation is identified, the presentation action is invoked; otherwise, a principle action associated with the top-level control button (e.g., manipulating content of an application) may be invoked.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of containing an application in an immersive non-windowed environment. For instance, the application may be configured for use in a windowed environment. Containing the application in the immersive non-windowed environment may involve selectively implementing functionality that is associated with the application based at least in part on whether the functionality is applicable to the immersive non-windowed environment. For example, when a request to implement functionality that is not applicable to the immersive non-windowed environment is received, functionality that is applicable to the immersive non-windowed environment may be implemented in lieu of the functionality that is not applicable to the immersive non-windowed environment. In another example, no action may be taken with regard to the request.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive interface in a multi-application immersive environment. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable a user to alter sizes and/or a layout of multiple immersive interfaces with as little as one selection.

Abstract: Application closing techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a computing device recognizes an input as involving selection of an application displayed in a display environment by the computing device and subsequent movement of a point of the selection toward an edge of the display environment. Responsive to the recognizing of the input, the selected application is closed by the computing device.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for switching back to a previously-interacted-with application. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable selection of a user interface not currently exposed on a display through a simple gesture that is both easy-to-use and remember.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a search tool that utilizes multiple different search engines. The individual search engines are configured to conduct searches in different ways across a search space that includes different types of data sets. In at least some embodiments, the type of search engine that is utilized is a function of characteristics of the data set(s) that is (are) to be searched. In search spaces that include different types of data sets, combining and mixing different search engines to collectively search the search space can provide a desirably fast and robust user experience.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling region-based sizing and positioning of application windows. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable sizing and positioning of application windows to provide an optimized layout of application windows.

Abstract: Application closing techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a computing device recognizes an input as involving selection of an application displayed in a display environment by the computing device and subsequent movement of a point of the selection toward an edge of the display environment. Responsive to the recognizing of the input, the selected application is closed by the computing device.