Abstract: A computing device includes a user interface module operable by at least one processor to output, for display, a graphical user interface of an application, the graphical user interface including a plurality of elements, each respective element of the plurality of elements being associated with one of a plurality of application features, determine an age for a first application feature of the plurality of application features, the age being a period of time that has elapsed since the first application feature was enabled in the application, generate, based on the age, a visual characteristic that modifies at least one of a chrominance value and a luminance value associated with a first element of the plurality of elements associated with the first application feature, and output, for display, the visual characteristic.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a card metaphor is established, in which each activity can be represented within an area of the screen referred to as a card. In various embodiments, any of several display modes are available for viewing, interacting with, manipulating, initiating, and dismissing cards. A persistent positional relationship can be established among cards, represented by a one-dimensional sequence. Newly opened cards are generally placed at the end of the sequence, although a new card that bears a relationship to an already open card may, in some embodiments, be placed adjacent to the already open card. In various embodiments, cards may be grouped, with such groups being represented as stacks of cards or by other visually distinctive means.

Abstract: A computing device is described that outputs for display at a presence-sensitive screen a lock screen graphical user interface. The lock screen graphical user interface includes an unlock region and a widget region including a first widget. The computing device receives an indication of a user input received at a location of the presence-sensitive screen within the widget region. The computing device determines a characteristic of the user input including at least one of a shape, a length, a velocity, and an acceleration. Responsive to determining that the determined characteristic exceeds a threshold, the computing device outputs for display an updated widget region of the lock screen graphical user interface that includes a second widget.

Abstract: A computing device is described that outputs, for display, a graphical indication of a first notification and a graphical indication of a second notification. The first and second notifications each include a respective first content portion and a respective second content portion. The graphical indication of the first notification includes both the first content portion and the second content portion of the first notification. The graphical indication of the second notification includes only the first content portion of the second notification. The computing device receives an indication of an input to remove the first notification from display. Responsive to the input, the computing device ceases to output, for display, the graphical indication of the first notification and outputs, for display, the graphical indication of the second notification by including the second content portion of the second notification in addition to the first content portion of the second notification.

Abstract: A computing device receives an audio input from a user. The computing device determines a series of words from the audio input. The computing device outputs, for display, one or more substituted symbols. The one or more substituted symbols correspond to at least a portion of the series of words. In response to determining that receipt of the audio input has completed, the computing device outputs, for display, alphanumeric characters comprising the series of words in place of the one or more substituted symbols.

Abstract: A method can include receiving, by a notification module operable by a computing device, an instruction to generate a contextual notification and notification information associated with the instruction. The method also cam include generating, by the notification module and in response to receiving the instruction, a notification object. In some examples, the method can include assigning, by the notification module and based on the notification information, the notification object to at least one notification class from a plurality of notification classes. The example method can also include generating, by the computing device and based at least in part on the at least one notification class to which the notification object is assigned, the contextual notification by populating the notification object with the notification information; and outputting the contextual notification in a manner based at least in part on the at least one notification class.

Abstract: A method includes outputting, for display, an array of objects surrounding an icon, wherein the icon indicates a limited access state of the computing device, receiving, at the computing device when the computing device is in the limited access state, an indication of a user input received at a presence-sensitive input device, the user input to activate a plurality of objects in the array of objects surrounding the lock icon, and transitioning the computing device from the limited access state to an access state responsive to the indication of the user input.

Abstract: A computing device is described that outputs, for display, a graphical indication of a notification that includes selectable graphical elements that each indicate a respective optional action associated with the notification. Responsive to receiving an indication of an input that corresponds to a selection of one of the selectable graphical elements, the computing device executes the respective optional action indicated by the selected one of the selectable graphical elements.

Abstract: A computing device is described that receives an indication of a notification, and determines a priority level associated with the notification. The computing device determines, based at least in part on the priority level, content of the notification. Responsive to receiving an indication of a gesture detected at an input device, the computing device outputs, for display, a notification center graphical user interface that includes a graphical indication of the notification including the content of the notification.

Abstract: A computing device receives an audio input from a user. The computing device determines a series of words from the audio input. The computing device outputs, for display, one or more substituted symbols. The one or more substituted symbols correspond to at least a portion of the series of words. In response to determining that receipt of the audio input has completed, the computing device outputs, for display, alphanumeric characters comprising the series of words in place of the one or more substituted symbols.

Abstract: A computing device is described that outputs for display at a presence-sensitive screen a lock screen graphical user interface. The lock screen graphical user interface includes a widget region and an unlock region. The widget region includes a widget and an overlay that at least partially obscures the widget. The computing device receives an indication of a user input and determines a characteristic of the user input. In response to determining that the determined characteristic satisfies a threshold, the computing device removes the overlay from the widget region.

Abstract: A computing device runs multiple activities concurrently and provides at least two modes for interacting with the activities. The user may toggle between the modes as desired. In a full-screen mode, one activity occupies substantially an entire display screen. In a windowed mode, the activity is visible within a window, and a portion of at least one other window is also visible. In the windowed mode, the user can cause windows to move, thereby changing focus from one activity to another. For example, the window having focus can be moved off the screen, to be replaced by a new window that is then given focus. The windows are ordered in a sequence and move in concert with one another; pushing one window off one edge of the screen causes a new window to appear at the opposite edge. A persistent positional relationship can be established among windows.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive input device provides improved visual feedback at (or near) the point and time of contact. As the user touches a touch-sensitive screen or pad, a portion of the screen or pad changes in visual appearance to indicate that the input has been received. In one embodiment, the change in visual appearance is localized to an area proximate to the point of contact. In one embodiment, the change in visual appearance is accomplished by illuminating an area proximate to and centered around the point of contact. In another embodiment, the change in visual appearance is accomplished by illuminating one or more illuminable elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the touch-sensitive pad.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing unintentional activation and/or input in an electronic device are provided. A movable on-screen user interface object is provided as an unlocking mechanism in a device having a touch-sensitive surface. The user moves the object in any desired direction from a starting point (or origin); if the object is moved a sufficient distance away from the starting point, the device is unlocked. The required amount of movement may be defined by a threshold which may or may not be made visible to the user. In various embodiments, the threshold may be defined by an arc, a circle, or by a straight line, or in some other arbitrary manner. In various embodiments, user authentication can be required before unlocking takes effect. In various embodiments, certain alerts can be displayed while the device is locked.

Abstract: A computing device is described that receives an indication of a first gesture received at an input device. Responsive to receiving the indication of the first gesture, the computing device outputs, for display, a first information panel having a size. The computing device receives an indication of a second gesture received at the input device. The second gesture has a gesture length. Responsive to receiving the indication of the second gesture, the computing device outputs, for display, an updated graphical user interface that includes the first information panel and a second information panel. The second information panel has a panel length that corresponds to the gesture length of the second gesture.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive display screen has at least two input modes for touch input. In an absolute input mode, positional information is interpreted in an absolute sense: an on-screen object or cursor can be moved, selected or activated by tapping or touching the screen at the location of the object itself or at a desired location for the object. In a relative input mode, touch input provided on the display screen is interpreted in a manner similar to a virtual joystick or a virtual touchpad. In the virtual joystick relative mode, input is interpreted relative to a reference point on the screen. In the virtual touchpad relative mode, input is interpreted according to a direction of motion of a contact point.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a user interface is presented for initiating activities in an electronic device. The user interface includes an element referred to as a “launch wave”, which can be activated at substantially any time, even if the user is engaged with an activity, without requiring the user to first return to a home screen. In various embodiments, the user can activate the launch wave by performing a gesture, or by pressing a physical button, or by tapping at a particular location on a touchscreen, or by activating a keyboard command. In one embodiment, activation of the launch wave and selection of an item from the launch wave can be performed in one continuous operation on a touch-sensitive screen, so as to improve the expediency and convenience of launching applications and other items.

Abstract: A computing device runs multiple activities concurrently and provides at least two modes for interacting with the activities. The user may toggle between the modes as desired. In a full-screen mode, one activity occupies substantially an entire display screen. In a windowed mode, the activity is visible within a window, and a portion of at least one other window is also visible. In the windowed mode, the user can cause windows to move, thereby changing focus from one activity to another. For example, the window having focus can be moved off the screen, to be replaced by a new window that is then given focus. The windows are ordered in a sequence and move in concert with one another; pushing one window off one edge of the screen causes a new window to appear at the opposite edge. A persistent positional relationship can be established among windows.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a user interface is presented for initiating activities in an electronic device. The user interface includes an element referred to as a “launch wave”, which can be activated at substantially any time, even if the user is engaged with an activity, without requiring the user to first return to a home screen. In various embodiments, the user can activate the launch wave by performing a gesture, or by pressing a physical button, or by tapping at a particular location on a touchscreen, or by activating a keyboard command. In one embodiment, activation of the launch wave and selection of an item from the launch wave can be performed in one continuous operation on a touch-sensitive screen, so as to improve the expediency and convenience of launching applications and other items.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for presenting static and dynamic data on a mobile device for a contact responsive to a communication with the contact. When a communication is initiated, a contact is identified based on static information such as an email address or a phone number. Additionally, dynamic data, such as a status message posted on a social networking service associated with contact, or a location of the contact is retrieved from appropriate services or databases in real time. The retrieved dynamic data is displayed on a user interface on the mobile device in substantially real-time, allowing the user to view static and dynamic information about a contact.