Abstract: An example method includes detecting a hold touch and a release touch on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device, wherein the hold touch and the release touch overlap at least partially in time, detecting release of the release touch, and in response to detecting the release of the release touch, displaying an editing control while the hold touch is detected. The editing control may include a virtual trackpad.

Abstract: A method includes displaying, on a touch-sensitive display, a keyboard including selectable keys associated with primary characters, responsive to detecting a touch at a location associated with one of the keys, entering one of the primary characters associated with the one of the keys, and responsive to detecting a gesture on the keyboard, moving at least a first key of the keys of the keyboard while maintaining a location of at least a second key of the keys of the keyboard, to facilitate selection of one of a plurality of secondary characters.

Abstract: A method for providing a reminder from within an instant messaging application executing on a computing device, the method comprising receiving textual input from within the instant messaging application. In response to receiving the textual input, a reminder-triggering condition is determined based on a predetermined symbol within the textual input. An instant message is sent that includes the reminder-triggering condition for the reminder.

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 and electronic devices to provide a common user interface mode on a first electronic device and a second electronic device are described. The first electronic device and the second electronic device each comprise a camera. In one aspect, the method comprises: capturing a first image on the first electronic device; receiving a second image which was captured on the second electronic device at approximately the same time that the first image was captured; determining a relative orientation of the first electronic device and the second electronic device based on the first image and the second image; and entering a common user interface mode in which a display associated with the first electronic device and a display associated with the second electronic device operate cooperatively and in which the orientation of a common user interface displayed on the displays is determined in accordance with the determined relative orientation.

Abstract: In order to facilitate the modulation of speech delivery to a participant that is driving or otherwise performing a parallel task, a feedback mechanism is incorporated in order to inform the remote participant of the progress of the delivery of his/her speech at their end of the conversation. In this way, the remote participant is both aware of the modulation occurring at the other end and can adjust their speech to adapt to the current conditions, using the feedback as a guide.

Abstract: A charger for charging a battery of an electronic device is provided. The electronic device has a charging clip that clips to a structure of the charger. The structure has a plurality of conductive strips disposed thereon. The number of conductive strips contacted by a charging contact on the charging clip determines the amount of current provided to the electronic device for charging.

Abstract: An accessory that includes a light transmitter may be worn by a user of an electronic device that includes a light receiver and a display screen. When the accessory is paired to the electronic device, the device may be configured to perform one or more behaviors in response to a change intensity of light incident on the light receiver, the light having been transmitted from the accessory. Example behaviors include activating and deactivating the display screen, altering what is displayed on a display screen, and turning the electronic device on or off. The device may also be configured to determine one or more properties of the light incident on the light receiver and to perform the behaviors only if the one or more properties correspond to one or more prerequisite light properties stored in the device.

Abstract: An overlay includes a sheet corresponding to a plurality of keys that are associated with an application for a portable electronic device. An identifier is associated with the application. The identifier is identifiable by the portable electronic device, such that the application is opened upon identification of the identifier.

Abstract: A system determines an orientation of a user of a mobile device has a head-mounted accessory device including a first digital compass for providing a first orientation signal and a short-range wireless transmitter for transmitting the first orientation signal to the mobile device. The mobile device includes a short-range wireless receiver for receiving the first orientation signal from the head-mounted accessory device. A processor in the mobile device determines the orientation based on the first orientation signal. The mobile device may include a second digital compass. The system with two compasses provides greater accuracy. By comparing the two orientation signals, the device can infer whether the user is viewing the mobile device. Tilt sensors in the accessory device and mobile device can also be used with the orientation signals to infer whether the user is viewing the mobile device and thus to control content delivered by the mobile device.

Abstract: A gesture based headphone for controlling a media player device and method for using thereof. The headphone comprises a cord with a gesture sensitive region in the cord, and an interface for connecting to the media player device. A user gesture interacts with the gesture sensitive region and generates a control input for controlling the media player device, wherein the user gesture includes at least one gesture generating a control input.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a selection of a character from a keyboard of a portable electronic device, adding the character to a character string, identifying candidate objects in reference data that include characters that match the character string, and displaying a plurality of the candidate objects on a display. When a gesture is detected on the keyboard, an object of the plurality of candidate objects, that is associated with the gesture, is identified, and the object is selected.

Abstract: A method of facilitating input at an electronic device includes detecting a first touch at a first touch location on a touch-sensitive device; the first touch being associated with a first character; detecting a second touch at a second touch location on the touch-sensitive surface, the second touch being associated with a second character; when movement of one of the first touch and the second touch is detected, determining a distance between the first touch location and the second touch location, the distance being associated with a number of characters of an object; identifying candidate objects in reference data that match the number of characters and include an initial character that matches the first character and a final character that matches the second character; and displaying at least one candidate object.

Abstract: A mobile electronic communications device and a method for modifying a scheduling database are provided. The scheduling database can be modified via the mobile electronic communications device in communication with a proximate electronic device comprising a display device, when the mobile electronic communications device is engaging in an oral communications session with a second communications device. Time slot data associated with an available time slot is retrieved from the scheduling database, via the mobile electronic communications device. The time slot data associated with the available time slot is transmitted, via the mobile electronic communications device, to the proximate electronic device to cause the proximate electronic device to display the time slot data associated with the available time slot at the display device. Input data is received at the mobile electronic communications device.

Abstract: A method includes displaying first information on a first touch-sensitive display of an electronic device and displaying second information on a second touch-sensitive display of the electronic device, detecting a first touch on the first touch-sensitive display and detecting a second touch on the second touch-sensitive display, performing a function associated with the single gesture when the first touch and the second touch are single-gesture associated; and associating the first touch with the first information and the second touch with the second information when the first touch and the second touch are not single-gesture associated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for presenting a reminder for a PIM record when there may be an opportunity for personal interaction regarding the PIM record. The opportunity for personal interaction regarding the PIM record may be identified in response to a trigger condition not associated with the PIM record. In one embodiment, an opportunity for interaction regarding a PIM record may be identified using identification information associated with the trigger condition. In another embodiment, an opportunity for interaction regarding a first PIM record may be identified when there is a contact associated with the first PIM record and a second PIM record, and there is an occurrence of a trigger condition associated with a second PIM record. In some embodiments, the portable electronic device may utilize additional information to identify or verify opportunities for interaction regarding a PIM record.

Abstract: An optical joystick is connected to a vibratory transducer such as a piezoelectric transducer, where the vibratory transducer produces vibration which may be perceived upon a surface of the optical joystick. The vibration is perceived primarily at the surface of the optical joystick, and not upon a case of the computing device, and is distinguishable from other vibrations which may be induced in the computing device. Vibrations are created to indicate scrolled items in a list, selected items, or navigation within certain displayed zones.

Abstract: In one example, information is presented to a user in a non-visual manner. In this example, a list of visually representable items defined by a beginning and at least one of dimension of time and space is accessed. Each of the visually representable items within the dimension is placed in one of a plurality of non-visual sensory categories. A non-visual sensory preview is rendered, in sequence for each item in the list, from the plurality of non-visual sensory categories.

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: An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display that includes a display and a sensor that detects a reflected optical signal passing through the display, which optical signal is indicative of input to the electronic device. The electronic device optionally includes an emitter that sources the optical signal.