Abstract: An electronic device, such as a mobile communication device, and a method are provided for selective access to certain homescreen panels displayable by the device. The device is provided with a homescreen display, which includes a plurality of panels. The panels include at least one panel that is a fullscreen view of a first application executing on the device. This first application can be a messaging application, and the fullscreen view can be a unified inbox view for a plurality of different message types. The panels also include at least one launch panel having a number of graphical user interface elements, such as icons, representing access points to a corresponding application on the device. When navigating from one of the launch panels to the fullscreen view, an intermediate lock interface for receiving an unlocking input is displayed. The unlocking input is received before the fullscreen view is displayed.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device includes a memory configured to store instructions, a plurality of keys configured to receive respective key inputs, and a screen. The portable electronic device also includes a processor configured to execute the instructions to detect a first key input at one of the plurality of keys, enable a preview mode based on the detected first key input. While the preview mode is enabled, the processor is also configured to a second key input at one of the plurality of keys, at least one of the first or second key input being associated with a content preview for one of a plurality of applications, and display on the screen the content preview for the associated one of the plurality of applications.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a query gesture and actuating, in response to the query gesture, an actuator to provide tactile feedback including information associated with the query gesture. The query gesture may be detected on a touch-sensitive display of a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method and electronic devices to allow a common user interface mode on a first electronic device and a second electronic device are described. In one aspect, the method comprises: receiving first orientation data from an orientation sensor associated with the first electronic device; receiving, at the first electronic device, second orientation data from the second electronic device; determining, from the first orientation data and the second orientation data, if the orientation of the first electronic device and the second electronic device satisfy at least one predetermined orientation criterion; and if the orientation of the first electronic device and the second electronic device satisfy the at least one predetermined orientation criterion, allowing the first electronic device and the second electronic device to enter a common user interface mode.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a query gesture and actuating, in response to the query gesture, an actuator to provide tactile feedback including information associated with the query gesture. The query gesture may be detected on a touch-sensitive display of a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented mapping method comprises determining a fixed reference point, displaying a static-scale map on a display screen of a computing device such that the map always includes the fixed reference point, and displaying a graphical discontinuity indicator on the map to represent a discontinuity in the map, the graphical discontinuity indicator dividing the map into a first map area surrounding the fixed reference point and a second map area that is geographically spaced apart from the first map area.

Abstract: A method comprising receiving an input of a character from a virtual keyboard rendered on a display, and displaying the input character left of a cursor located within a ticker rendered on the display proximate to the virtual keyboard, wherein the cursor has a set position located towards a centre of the ticker.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling the display of an mobile device by: capturing an image using a camera device of the mobile device, the camera device being directed in a same direction as a display of the mobile device, the image comprising one or more subjects (e.g. users or other humans seen in the image); determining a point of regard in the image for at least one of the one or more subjects, the point of regard being indicative of an area on the display at which a gaze of the corresponding subject is directed; determining, based on the point of regard, an instruction for controlling the display; and controlling the display according to the instruction, wherein controlling the display includes reducing visibility of at least one portion of what is displayed on the display.

Abstract: A method that includes receiving an input, determining, by the processor, a likelihood that a predicted string associated with the received input matches an intended input string, where the determination is a function of at least one of a length of the predicted string and a typing speed associated with the received input, and displaying the predicted string.

Abstract: A method includes displaying on a display at least one selection option comprising a first selection option and detecting a touch or cursor on the display. Tactile feedback having a first characteristic is provided when the touch or cursor is at a first location associated with the first selection option. Tactile feedback having a second characteristic is provided when the touch or cursor is detected at a second location not associated with the first selection option.

Abstract: A method of controlling a portable electronic device includes displaying a portion of information on a touch-sensitive display; detecting a touch on the touch-sensitive display at a touch location associated with the information; detecting a tilt of the portable electronic device; and in response to detecting the tilt, scrolling the information.

Abstract: A method includes displaying information associated with a first application on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device. A gesture is detected on the touch-sensitive display, which gesture indicates a request to display information associated with a second application. At least part of the information associated with the second application is displayed without opening the second application.

Abstract: System and method for informing a user of functions or characters associated with keys on a mobile communications device includes a keyboard operable to input dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) codes and a display screen operable to display information. The display screen is also operable to display a virtual representation of at least a portion of the keyboard. The virtual representation includes help information on one or more virtually represented keys of the keyboard. This help information informs a user of an associated telephone function or character of one or more keys that are virtually represented on the display.

Abstract: A portable electronic device comprising a display, an actuator actuatable to impart a force on the display, an input device moveable from a first position in which the input device is disengaged from the display to a second position in which the input device is engaged with the display, wherein when the input device is moved to the second position, the actuator is actuated to provide tactile feedback to the input device through the display.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a query gesture and actuating, in response to the query gesture, an actuator to provide tactile feedback including information associated with the query gesture. The query gesture may be detected on a touch-sensitive display of a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method includes displaying on a display at least one selection option comprising a first selection option and detecting a touch or cursor on the display. Tactile feedback having a first characteristic is provided when the touch or cursor is at a first location associated with the first selection option. Tactile feedback having a second characteristic is provided when the touch or cursor is detected at a second location not associated with the first selection option.

Abstract: Methods and devices for storing content are described. In one example embodiment, a method includes: displaying, on a display of an electronic device, a plurality of selectable content classification options for classifying a content item, the selectable content classification options including a selectable option to classify the content item as an action item and a selectable option to classify the content item as an archive; receiving, via an input interface associated with the electronic device, a selection of one of the content classification options; and storing the content item in accordance with the selected content classification option.

Abstract: An authentication scheme in which an instance of a designated element is shifted to proximity with a designated target to gain access a device may be enhanced by creating conditions that allow for either the designated element or the designated target to be different for each instance of authentication. In one embodiment, a secondary display portion may be used to provide an indication of a dynamic designated element. In another embodiment, a secondary display portion, in combination with a tertiary display portion, may be used to provide an indication of a dynamic designated target.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first housing and a second housing. By one approach at least the second housing has at least one exterior edge configured as a pivot surface. The first housing includes at least a first magnet and the second housing includes at least a second magnet that is disposed proximal to the aforementioned pivot surface. So configured, the first and second magnet interact with one another and thereby serve as a magnetic connector such that the first housing pivots with respect to the second housing about the pivot surface. By one approach, the first and second housing do not pivotally connect to one another via a mechanical connector.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a query gesture and actuating, in response to the query gesture, an actuator to provide tactile feedback including information associated with the query gesture. The query gesture may be detected on a touch-sensitive display of a portable electronic device.