Abstract: Progressive functionality command and object access for object and other content insertion and modification are provided. In a software application user interface, when a given command is selected, where the command is a parent command having one or more child commands, a subset of all available child commands under the selected parent command may be provided in the user interface in proximity to the selected parent command. If a user needs more or different commands than are presented in the subset, a contextual pane may be selectively presented in the user interface having a number of additional available commands for selection by the user. Once the contextual pane is displayed, it may stay displayed until it is manually or automatically dismissed.

Abstract: A virtual reality device can implement varying interactive modes for document viewing and editing by displaying, at an application container level, a current mode view in a view frame of the virtual reality device; and in response to receiving an overview command trigger, determining context, including that the current mode view is at the application container level; expanding to a next level view of, e.g., a task level or an overview level; and displaying, at a next level, the next level view in the view frame of the virtual reality device. The current mode view of the application container level includes a container space of an application and an application container level rule for the container space. Conversely, the virtual reality device can adjust the next level view back to the application container level in response to a focused command trigger and identified region of interest.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for providing real-world awareness for virtual reality are disclosed. In response to determining that a virtual reality application is in use, an awareness module can begin monitoring for external signals by at least accessing an available sensor of a computing device. In response to detecting the at least one external signal, the awareness module can determine a level of notification for an interruption notification of the virtual reality application based on the at least one external signal. The awareness module can receive context of the virtual reality application. A type for the interruption notification of the virtual reality application can be determined based on the determined level of notification and the context of the virtual reality application. The interruption notification may be provided to the virtual reality application based on the determined type.

Abstract: Save and synchronization status information is provided. The save and synchronization status information may be concise yet informative to a user and may provide an indication of the current save state of the document: “saved,” “dirty,” or “saving.” The indication of the current save state may be displayed in a consistent and reliable spot such that the user may reliably know where to look to find the document's save status. Other save states may be included, such as offline or error. The indication may be selectable, such that when selected, the user may see additional save and synchronization status detail, and may be enabled to rename the document.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for providing real-world awareness for virtual reality are disclosed. In response to determining that a virtual reality application is in use, an awareness module can begin monitoring for external signals by at least accessing an available sensor of a computing device. In response to detecting the at least one external signal, the awareness module can determine a level of notification for an interruption notification of the virtual reality application based on the at least one external signal. The awareness module can receive context of the virtual reality application. A type for the interruption notification of the virtual reality application can be determined based on the determined level of notification and the context of the virtual reality application. The interruption notification may be provided to the virtual reality application based on the determined type.

Abstract: A virtual reality device can implement varying interactive modes for document viewing and editing by displaying, at an application container level, a current mode view in a view frame of the virtual reality device; and in response to receiving an overview command trigger, determining context, including that the current mode view is at the application container level; expanding to a next level view of, e.g., a task level or an overview level; and displaying, at a next level, the next level view in the view frame of the virtual reality device. The current mode view of the application container level includes a container space of an application and an application container level rule for the container space. Conversely, the virtual reality device can adjust the next level view back to the application container level in response to a focused command trigger and identified region of interest.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system for automatically managing panes in relation to the application canvas in a user interface. The system includes a pane manager that works in conjunction with applications to provide access to panes while keeping a minimum amount of user content visible. The system allows an application to define a protected canvas size. When a pane is needed, the system determines if sufficient room for the pane exists or can be created by dismissing another pane. If so, the pane is added. If not, the pane may be displayed in a temporary manner. The system also responds to changes in the user interface size. If the user interface size decreases to a point where sufficient room for existing panes is no longer available, one or more of the existing panes are dismissed.

Abstract: Aspects of a system for automatically managing a pane in a user interface on a small form factor computing device include an adaptive pane module for determining when an event that affects the canvas size occurs, such as changing the display configuration or reorienting the display, which in turn affects pane management, or the opening or closing of a pane. The adaptive pane module manages the pane. After managing the pane, the system resizes the canvas and reflows the content as appropriate for a small form factor computing device.

Abstract: Aspects of a system for automatically managing a pane in a user interface on a small form factor computing device include an adaptive pane module for determining when an event that affects the canvas size occurs, such as changing the display configuration or reorienting the display, which in turn affects pane management, or the opening or closing of a pane. The adaptive pane module manages the pane. After managing the pane, the system resizes the canvas and reflows the content as appropriate for a small form factor computing device.

Abstract: Aspects of a system for automatically adapting an application user interface display on a small form factor computing device include a computing device having at least a processing device, a memory, and a display. The user interface is a functional landscape of an application that accommodates and displays, in various combinations, multiple regions of application functional controls and information. An adaptive user interface display module detects a change in available screen space for the application user interface on a small form factor computing device, and adjusts the functional landscape accordingly.

Abstract: Aspects of a system and method for transitioning a configuration of a user interface (UI) of an application to a particular experience mode configuration in response to a transition of experience modes by an operating system (OS) is described. The application UI may be transitioned from a configuration optimized for hardware input interaction to a configuration optimized for interaction via natural input methods, or vice versa. An experience mode transition triggering event is detected by the OS, and in response, the OS transitions from a first experience mode to a second experience mode, and communicates the transition to the application. In response to the communication, the application transitions to the second experience mode, and reconfigures the UI to a configuration associated with the second experience mode. Other aspects enable a user to manually switch experience modes via the application, and remain in the selected mode when the OS transitions modes.

Abstract: Aspects of a system for automatically adapting an application user interface display on a small form factor computing device include a computing device having at least a processing device, a memory, and a display. The user interface is a functional landscape of an application that accommodates and displays, in various combinations, multiple regions of application functional controls and information. An adaptive user interface display module detects a change in available screen space for the application user interface on a small form factor computing device, and adjusts the functional landscape accordingly.

Abstract: Aspects of a system for automatically managing a pane in a user interface on a small form factor computing device include an adaptive pane module for determining when an event that affects the canvas size occurs, such as changing the display configuration or reorienting the display, which in turn affects pane management, or the opening or closing of a pane. The adaptive pane module manages the pane. After managing the pane, the system resizes the canvas and reflows the content as appropriate for a small form factor computing device.

Abstract: Surfacing of transient user interface (UI) elements is provided. Various UI elements may only be applicable in certain situations or periods of time. To help preserve screen space, particularly on smaller form devices such as tablet computing devices and mobile communication devices where screen space is restricted, a UI element may appear in the UI when the element is relevant. When the element is no longer relevant, it may disappear from view. The appearance and disappearance of the UI element may be an animation. The animation may provide a smooth transition and thus be non-disruptive or distracting to a user.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system for automatically managing panes in relation to the application canvas in a user interface. The system includes a pane manager that works in conjunction with applications to provide access to panes while keeping a minimum amount of user content visible. The system allows an application to define a protected canvas size. When a pane is needed, the system determines if sufficient room for the pane exists or can be created by dismissing another pane. If so, the pane is added. If not, the pane may be displayed in a temporary manner. The system also responds to changes in the user interface size. If the user interface size decreases to a point where sufficient room for existing panes is no longer available, one or more of the existing panes are dismissed.

Abstract: Progressive functionality command and object access for object and other content insertion and modification are provided. In a software application user interface, when a given command is selected, where the command is a parent command having one or more child commands, a subset of all available child commands under the selected parent command may be provided in the user interface in proximity to the selected parent command. If a user needs more or different commands than are presented in the subset, a contextual pane may be selectively presented in the user interface having a number of additional available commands for selection by the user. Once the contextual pane is displayed, it may stay displayed until it is manually or automatically dismissed.

Abstract: Save and synchronization status information is provided. The save and synchronization status information may be concise yet informative to a user and may provide an indication of the current save state of the document: “saved,” “dirty,” or “saving.” The indication of the current save state may be displayed in a consistent and reliable spot such that the user may reliably know where to look to find the document's save status. Other save states may be included, such as offline or error. The indication may be selectable, such that when selected, the user may see additional save and synchronization status detail, and may be enabled to rename the document.