Abstract: Cross slide gestures for touch displays are described. In at least some embodiments, cross slide gestures can be used on content that pans or scrolls in one direction, to enable additional actions, such as content selection, drag and drop operations, and the like. In one or more embodiments, a cross slide gesture can be performed by dragging an item or object in a direction that is different from a scrolling direction. The different-direction drag can be mapped to additional actions or functionality. In one or more embodiments, one or more thresholds can be utilized, such as a distance threshold, in combination with the different-direction drag, to map to additional actions or functionality.

Abstract: A graphical user interface includes a collection of selectable content items, and a command surface for selectively displaying command selectors relating to the collection of selectable content items. Responsive to user selection of a first content item from the collection, the command surface is updated to include a first set of one or more command selectors applicable to the first content item. Responsive to user selection of a second content item, the command surface is updated to include a second set of one or more command selectors applicable to both the first content item and the second content item. Each command selector in the second set is selectable to execute a contextually applicable command related to both the first content item and the second content item.

Abstract: Techniques of handling input from a pointing device within a computing system. The method includes, under control of one or more processors configured with executable instructions, receiving from the pointing device a first signal while the pointing device is pointing at an object related to an executable application. The origin of the first signal is determined and if the first signal originated based upon a single activation of a first user input on the pointing device, the object is selected. If the first signal originated based upon a single activation of a second user input on the pointing device, the object is executed.

Abstract: Cross slide gestures for touch displays are described. In at least some embodiments, cross slide gestures can be used on content that pans or scrolls in one direction, to enable additional actions, such as content selection, drag and drop operations, and the like. In one or more embodiments, a cross slide gesture can be performed by dragging an item or object in a direction that is different from a scrolling direction. The different-direction drag can be mapped to additional actions or functionality. In one or more embodiments, one or more thresholds can be utilized, such as a distance threshold, in combination with the different-direction drag, to map to additional actions or functionality.