Abstract: Technologies are disclosed for providing visual feedback during touch-based operations on user interface (“UI”) elements. Through implementations of the disclosed technologies, visual feedback can be provided to users during certain touch-based operations on UI elements presented by virtual reality (“VR”) devices. The visual feedback can provide confirmation to users that certain operations on UI elements were performed successfully. The visual feedback provided by the disclosed technologies can make it easier for users to select a UI element, to understand that actions taken to select a UI element were successful, and to successfully perform operations on UI elements once they have been selected. These benefits can reduce the number of times users need to attempt certain operations on UI elements. This, in turn, can reduce the utilization of computing resources, such as memory and processor cycles, by devices implementing the disclosed technologies.

Abstract: In non-limiting examples of the present disclosure, systems, methods and devices for executing gesture operations are provided. A touchpad gesture manager and a touchscreen gesture manager may be maintained. Both managers may comprise the identities of gesture operations and conditions for executing the gesture operations. The conditions for one or more touchscreen gesture operations may be the same as the conditions for one or more corresponding touchpad gesture operations. The gestures that have same conditions for the touchscreen and the touchpad may comprise application window operations and virtual desktop transition operations. In some examples, one or more display elements, animations, or intermediate operations may be different in executing the touchscreen operations than for executing the touchpad operations.

Abstract: Technologies are disclosed for providing visual feedback during touch-based operations on user interface (“UI”) elements. Through implementations of the disclosed technologies, visual feedback can be provided to users during certain touch-based operations on UI elements presented by virtual reality (“VR”) devices. The visual feedback can provide confirmation to users that certain operations on UI elements were performed successfully. The visual feedback provided by the disclosed technologies can make it easier for users to select a UI element, to understand that actions taken to select a UI element were successful, and to successfully perform operations on UI elements once they have been selected. These benefits can reduce the number of times users need to attempt certain operations on UI elements. This, in turn, can reduce the utilization of computing resources, such as memory and processor cycles, by devices implementing the disclosed technologies.

Abstract: Techniques for adjusting a posture of an operating system mode for a touch-enabled computing device based on combinations of user preferences and user input modality signals. Various adjustments to the posture of the operating system mode do not impact whether particular user interface elements are present but rather alter characteristics with which these particular user interface elements are rendered. Posture adjustments to an operating system mode occur based on combinations user input modality signals and user preferences not to enter another mode in which particular user interface elements are no longer displayed within a task bar along a peripheral edge. An object of designing an operating system mode to have multiple different postures with common user interface elements displayed in the task bar while adjusting the characteristics thereof is to preserve the user familiarity across postures while optimizing graphical layouts to accommodate for a current user input modality.

Abstract: Technologies are disclosed for providing visual feedback during touch-based operations on user interface (“UI”) elements. Through implementations of the disclosed technologies, visual feedback can be provided to users during certain touch-based operations on UI elements presented by touch-enabled computing devices. The visual feedback can provide confirmation to users that certain touch-based operations on UI elements were performed successfully. The visual feedback provided by the disclosed technologies can make it easier for users to select a UI element, to understand that actions taken to select a UI element were successful, and to successfully perform operations on UI elements once they have been selected. These benefits can reduce the number of times users need to attempt certain touch-based operations on UI elements. This, in turn, can reduce the utilization of computing resources, such as memory and processor cycles, by touch-enabled computing devices implementing the disclosed technologies.

Abstract: In non-limiting examples of the present disclosure, systems, methods and devices for executing gesture operations are provided. A touchpad gesture manager and a touchscreen gesture manager may be maintained. Both managers may comprise the identities of gesture operations and conditions for executing the gesture operations. The conditions for one or more touchscreen gesture operations may be the same as the conditions for one or more corresponding touchpad gesture operations. The gestures that have same conditions for the touchscreen and the touchpad may comprise application window operations and virtual desktop transition operations. In some examples, one or more display elements, animations, or intermediate operations may be different in executing the touchscreen operations than for executing the touchpad operations.

Abstract: In non-limiting examples of the present disclosure, systems, methods and devices for executing gesture operations are provided. A touchpad gesture manager and a touchscreen gesture manager may be maintained. Both managers may comprise the identities of gesture operations and conditions for executing the gesture operations. The conditions for one or more touchscreen gesture operations may be the same as the conditions for one or more corresponding touchpad gesture operations. The gestures that have same conditions for the touchscreen and the touchpad may comprise application window operations and virtual desktop transition operations. In some examples, one or more display elements, animations, or intermediate operations may be different in executing the touchscreen operations than for executing the touchpad operations.

Abstract: Technologies are disclosed for providing visual feedback during touch-based operations on user interface (“UI”) elements. Through implementations of the disclosed technologies, visual feedback can be provided to users during certain touch-based operations on UI elements presented by touch-enabled computing devices. The visual feedback can provide confirmation to users that certain touch-based operations on UI elements were performed successfully. The visual feedback provided by the disclosed technologies can make it easier for users to select a UI element, to understand that actions taken to select a UI element were successful, and to successfully perform operations on UI elements once they have been selected. These benefits can reduce the number of times users need to attempt certain touch-based operations on UI elements. This, in turn, can reduce the utilization of computing resources, such as memory and processor cycles, by touch-enabled computing devices implementing the disclosed technologies.

Abstract: Techniques for adjusting a posture of an operating system mode for a touch-enabled computing device based on combinations of user preferences and user input modality signals. Various adjustments to the posture of the operating system mode do not impact whether particular user interface elements are present but rather alter characteristics with which these particular user interface elements are rendered. Posture adjustments to an operating system mode occur based on combinations user input modality signals and user preferences not to enter another mode in which particular user interface elements are no longer displayed within a task bar along a peripheral edge. An object of designing an operating system mode to have multiple different postures with common user interface elements displayed in the task bar while adjusting the characteristics thereof is to preserve the user familiarity across postures while optimizing graphical layouts to accommodate for a current user input modality.

Abstract: In non-limiting examples of the present disclosure, systems, methods and devices for executing gesture operations are provided. A touchpad gesture manager and a touchscreen gesture manager may be maintained. Both managers may comprise the identities of gesture operations and conditions for executing the gesture operations. The conditions for one or more touchscreen gesture operations may be the same as the conditions for one or more corresponding touchpad gesture operations. The gestures that have same conditions for the touchscreen and the touchpad may comprise application window operations and virtual desktop transition operations. In some examples, one or more display elements, animations, or intermediate operations may be different in executing the touchscreen operations than for executing the touchpad operations.

Abstract: Techniques for adjusting a posture of an operating system mode for a touch-enabled computing device based on combinations of user preferences and user input modality signals. Various adjustments to the posture of the operating system mode do not impact whether particular user interface elements are present but rather alter characteristics with which these particular user interface elements are rendered. Posture adjustments to an operating system mode occur based on combinations user input modality signals and user preferences not to enter another mode in which particular user interface elements are no longer displayed within a task bar along a peripheral edge. An object of designing an operating system mode to have multiple different postures with common user interface elements displayed in the task bar while adjusting the characteristics thereof is to preserve the user familiarity across postures while optimizing graphical layouts to accommodate for a current user input modality.

Abstract: Techniques for adjusting a posture of an operating system mode for a touch-enabled computing device based on combinations of user preferences and user input modality signals. Various adjustments to the posture of the operating system mode do not impact whether particular user interface elements are present but rather alter characteristics with which these particular user interface elements are rendered. Posture adjustments to an operating system mode occur based on combinations user input modality signals and user preferences not to enter another mode in which particular user interface elements are no longer displayed within a task bar along a peripheral edge. An object of designing an operating system mode to have multiple different postures with common user interface elements displayed in the task bar while adjusting the characteristics thereof is to preserve the user familiarity across postures while optimizing graphical layouts to accommodate for a current user input modality.

Abstract: Providing a random factoid in response to a user trigger is provided. Aspects are directed to a device, method, and computer-readable medium to provide random factoids responsive to a triggering event. Various inputs such as user taps, gestures, voice commands, environment commands, etc., are monitored to recognize a triggering event associated with the random factoid system. Upon determining that the input is a triggering event, a random factoid is randomly selected and provided to the user. The factoid can be a fun fact or a helpful learning tip. In some examples, the random factoid system provides a contextual random factoid based one or more contextual factors, such as geographic location of the device, the user's interaction history, the user's demographic data, etc., thus providing an improved user experience.

Abstract: Embodiments provide integrated reply functionality within the context of a contact card or panel. Contact information is provided for display in the contact card (e.g., a portion of a user interface of a computing device). The contact information is associated with a contact. The contact information identifies one or more transport modes for communication with the contact. In some embodiments, the computing device receives a request from a user to communicate with the contact via at least one selected transport mode. Based on the received request, the computing device provides an input field within the contact card. In other embodiments, the transport mode is automatically selected and the input field is displayed. Data from the user is received into the input field for communication to the contact. The computing device sends the data received into the input field to the contact via the selected transport mode.

Abstract: Providing a random factoid in response to a user trigger is provided. Aspects are directed to a device, method, and computer-readable medium to provide random factoids responsive to a triggering event. Various inputs such as user taps, gestures, voice commands, environment commands, etc., are monitored to recognize a triggering event associated with the random factoid system. Upon determining that the input is a triggering event, a random factoid is randomly selected and provided to the user. The factoid can be a fun fact or a helpful learning tip. In some examples, the random factoid system provides a contextual random factoid based one or more contextual factors, such as geographic location of the device, the user's interaction history, the user's demographic data, etc., thus providing an improved user experience.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure provide a system and method for task completion using a digital assistant. Natural language data input is received and user intent associated with the natural language data input is identified. A structured query is generated for the natural language data input based on the identified user intent. A response to the structured query is received from a search engine and a determination is made as to whether the response includes one or more results. A result is selected for task completion based at least in part on user context, in response to a determination that the response includes one or more results.

Abstract: In embodiments of one step task completion, a computing system includes memory to maintain metadata associated with information that corresponds to a user, where the information is then determinable with a contextual search based on the metadata. The information corresponding to a user can be determined and tagged with the metadata, such as information associated with a user account and/or activity of the user. The computing system includes a personal assistant application that is implemented to receive a request as a one step directive to locate the information and perform an action designated for the information. The personal assistant application can then locate the information based on the metadata, and perform the action designated for the information.

Abstract: Techniques for digital assistant experience based on presence sensing are described herein. In implementations, a system is able to detect user presence and distance from a reference point, and tailor a digital assistant experience based on distance. The distance, for example, represents a distance from a client device that outputs various elements of a digital assistant experience, such as visual and audio elements. Various other contextual factors may additionally or alternatively be considered in adapting a digital assistant experience.