Abstract: A mobile device has a touch screen and connectors located in defined locations for interconnecting with other devices. The mobile device further includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that cause the processor to: detect an interconnected device that is interconnected with the mobile device by way of a connector. The processor is further configured to determine a spatial location of the interconnected device relative to the mobile device, based on the location of the connector; define a region on the touch screen of the mobile device depending on the spatial location of the interconnected device relative to the mobile device, the region being proximate a border between the touch screen of the mobile device and the interconnected device; and transmit a request to the interconnected device if an input gesture on the touch screen of the mobile device corresponds to the region of the touch screen.

Abstract: A method of configuring an electronic device capable of acting as a host or slave device to other electronic devices, and a corresponding electronic device are disclosed. The method includes determining a metric representative of the electronic device's readiness to assume the host mode among at least two electronic devices; initiating a timer that times an amount of time inversely proportional to the device's readiness to assume the host mode among the at least two electronic devices; prior to expiry of the amount of time, determining if another of the electronic devices has assumed its host mode, and in response thereto assuming the slave mode; and upon expiry of the amount of time, assuming the host mode.

Abstract: There is described a method of operating an electronic device having a housing and a user interface mounted to the housing. The user interface includes force sensor(s) on an edge of the housing and a display screen. The method includes displaying, on the display screen, a graphical element having an edge portion; receiving an input from the force sensor(s) on the edge, the input being a measured value of a force applied on the force sensor(s); and in response to said input received, modifying the graphical element on the display screen in a manner to move, to a destination position, the edge portion depending on a direction of movement of the edge portion, the destination position of the edge portion depending on an amplitude of the measured value.

Abstract: A powered wall mount includes a cover plate and a mount head in electrical communication with one another. The cover plate is configured to cover an electrical outlet in a wall without blocking any sockets. The cover plate includes a pair of resilient contacts that resiliently contact respective terminals of a pair of terminals of the electrical outlet upon mating of the cover plate with the electrical outlet. The mount head, which may be attached to the wall near the electrical outlet, includes a device mounting surface, at least one connector configured to hold a portable electronic device at the device mounting surface, and a power transfer mechanism configured to transfer power to the device when held at the device mounting surface. The connector(s) may be magnetic. Conveniently, the device may be attached to the mount head, used indefinitely while drawing power as needed, and then detached.

Abstract: There is described a method of operating an electronic device having a housing and a user interface mounted to the housing. The user interface includes force sensor(s) on an edge of the housing and a display screen. The method includes displaying, on the display screen, a graphical element having an edge portion; receiving an input from the force sensor(s) on the edge, the input being a measured value of a force applied on the force sensor(s); and in response to said input received, modifying the graphical element on the display screen in a manner to move, to a destination position, the edge portion depending on a direction of movement of the edge portion, the destination position of the edge portion depending on an amplitude of the measured value.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch sensitive display and a processor in communication with the touch sensitive display. The device detects that a second electronic device is in a defined position proximate the electronic device and detects a touch gesture including a swipe tracing a path across the touch sensitive display between a first position proximate the second electronic device and a second position away from the second electronic device. In response to the detection of the touch gesture, regions of the displayed user interface are updated to include visual attributes of a user interface of the second electronic device.