Abstract: A computing apparatus receives data that corresponds to a wireless network connection established with an access point. The computing apparatus determines whether the access point corresponds to a predetermined access point type, and also determines that a device is to transition to a reduced power state. When the access point corresponds to the predetermined access point type and the determines that the device is to transition to the reduced power state, the computing apparatus transitions the device from a first power state to a reduced power state, and maintains the wireless network connection by using at least a subset of wireless functionality operatively coupled to the device.

Abstract: A computing apparatus receives data that corresponds to a wireless network connection established with an access point. The computing apparatus determines whether the access point corresponds to a predetermined access point type, and also determines that a device is to transition to a reduced power state. When the access point corresponds to the predetermined access point type and the determines that the device is to transition to the reduced power state, the computing apparatus transitions the device from a first power state to a reduced power state, and maintains the wireless network connection by using at least a subset of wireless functionality operatively coupled to the device.

Abstract: An approach is provided to display a grid user-interface on a display. The grid user-interface includes a number of medium-sized windows that are displayed in a grid format. Each of the medium-sized windows has a substantially common width and a substantially common height to the other medium-sized windows. The system receives a mixed-mode request from a user. The mixed-mode request corresponds to a selected application that is displayed in one of the medium-sized windows. A second user-interface is displayed in response to receiving the mixed-mode request. The selected application is displayed in a large window and a plurality of small-sized windows is displayed adjacent to the large window. Each of the small-sized windows also has a substantially common width and a substantially common height to the other small-sized windows.

Abstract: An approach is provided to receive a selection of a displayed window from a group of displayed windows that are visible on a display. The displayed window corresponds to a software application and the displayed window is displayed at a location on the display. Another displayed window is shown visually animating and forming from the first displayed window. An authentication input dialog is displayed on the second displayed window, with the displayed authentication input dialog corresponding to the software application. Authentication data is received at the authentication input dialog and is authenticated.

Abstract: The hard disk drive of a computer system is loaded with a preloaded image including an operating system, a number of application programs, and a device driver installation routine, all of which are not dependent on the hardware configuration of the computer system. A hidden partition of the hard disk drive is also loaded with a number of device drivers, which are dependent upon the hardware configuration. During the first boot only of the preloaded image, the device drivers are installed by the device driver installation routine.

Abstract: The hard disk drive of a computer system is loaded with a preloaded image including an operating system, a number of application programs, and a device driver installation routine, all of which are not dependent on the hardware configuration of the computer system. A hidden partition of the hard disk drive is also loaded with a number of device drivers, which are dependent upon the hardware configuration. During the first boot only of the preloaded image, the device drivers are installed by the device driver installation routine.