Abstract: Described is a technology by which the operation of an auxiliary computing device, comprising a display and/or actuator set, may be automatically modified based on detected state data. For example, user input may be routed from the actuator set to the host computer system when the host computer system is in an online state, or to the auxiliary computing device when the host computer system is offline. State may be determined based on one or more various criteria, such as online or offline, laptop lid position, display orientation, current communication and/or other criteria. The auxiliary display and/or actuator set may be embedded in the host computer system, or each may be separable from it or standalone, such as a remote control or cellular phone.

Abstract: Access to system and application settings may be gained from one place without leaving the context of an application. System and application settings accessed may be limited to settings that are relevant to the application or to the context of the application. An application may to determine what application settings are displayed to a user. A user may to control some of the resources an application may access.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a device setting in response to a single motion are provided herein. The method includes initiating a user interface in response to a tap down on a device setting icon without releasing. The method also includes adjusting a device setting in response to a dragging or sliding on the device setting icon without releasing. The method further includes confirming the device setting by releasing once a desired device setting level has been attained.

Abstract: Embodiments related to the non-uniform scrolling of a scrollable list displayed on a computing device display are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method of operating a display comprising displaying a scrollable list of items that includes a first pair of list positions separated by a first spacing on the display, and a second pair of list positions separated by a second spacing that is different than the first spacing. The method further comprises detecting a movement of a manipulator from a first location to a second location, and in response, scrolling a first list item on the display between the first pair of list positions at a first scroll distance/manipulator movement distance correspondence, and scrolling a second list item between the second pair of list positions at a second scroll distance/manipulator movement distance correspondence.

Abstract: Described is a mechanism by which application programs (or plug-ins) and an auxiliary service adjust the output and/or data available for output on an auxiliary device based on changes detected in the current context of the auxiliary display. Context sensors detect and report changes in context, whereby some action is taken with respect to what information is displayed or can be displayed on the auxiliary display device. Examples of context data that can change include the physical location of the display, detected movement or motion data, presence of a particular user or others, power state, network connectivity status, privacy status and so forth. The auxiliary device can have context as to its position relative to the main display. Information sensitivity levels may be used to specify whether an application program's data can be displayed, based on the perceived sensitivity of the information and the user's current context.

Abstract: Content gestures are described. In implementations, one or more controls are output to control output of content and for display in a user interface by a computing device. An input is recognized, by the computing device, which was detected using a camera as a gesture to interact with a particular one of the controls to control the output of the content.

Abstract: An auxiliary processing state of a computing device provides an auxiliary display within a primary display device of the computing device. As such, a computing device can switch from a primary processing state (e.g., full power, full operating system, full functionality) to an auxiliary processing state and yet still provide a user interface through the primary display device. The auxiliary processing state may employ a different processor than the primary processing state. Alternatively, auxiliary processing state and the primary processing state may employ different processing modes of the same processor. Transitions between the auxiliary display of the auxiliary processing state and the primary display of the primary processing state may be transitioned to preserve some consistency between the two displays.

Abstract: Embodiments related to the non-uniform scrolling of a scrollable list displayed on a computing device display are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method of operating a display comprising displaying a scrollable list of items that includes a first pair of list positions separated by a first spacing on the display, and a second pair of list positions separated by a second spacing that is different than the first spacing. The method further comprises detecting a movement of a manipulator from a first location to a second location, and in response, scrolling a first list item on the display between the first pair of list positions at a first scroll distance/manipulator movement distance correspondence, and scrolling a second list item between the second pair of list positions at a second scroll distance/manipulator movement distance correspondence.

Abstract: Described is a mechanism by which application programs (or plug-ins) and an auxiliary service adjust the output and/or data available for output on an auxiliary device based on changes detected in the current context of the auxiliary display. Context sensors detect and report changes in context, whereby some action is taken with respect to what information is displayed or can be displayed on the auxiliary display device. Examples of context data that can change include the physical location of the display, detected movement or motion data, presence of a particular user or others, power state, network connectivity status, privacy status and so forth. The auxiliary device can have context as to its position relative to the main display. Information sensitivity levels may be used to specify whether an application program's data can be displayed, based on the perceived sensitivity of the information and the user's current context.

Abstract: Described is a mechanism for receiving new data at an auxiliary device associated with a main computer system, and processing that new data within the auxiliary device firmware to take some action. The receipt and processing of the data is independent of whether the main computer system is in a powered-up state (online) or powered-down state (offline). A cache that maintains the user application data for offline navigation may be updated with new data, either to change existing data in the cache or add a new navigation path. The received data can be processed to perform other actions, depending on the context of that data as determined by auxiliary processing.

Abstract: Described is a mechanism by which application programs (or plug-ins) and an auxiliary service adjust the output and/or data available for output on an auxiliary device based on changes detected in the current context of the auxiliary display. Context sensors detect and report changes in context, whereby some action is taken with respect to what information is displayed or can be displayed on the auxiliary display device. Examples of context data that can change include the physical location of the display, detected movement or motion data, presence of a particular user or others, power state, network connectivity status, privacy status and so forth. The auxiliary device can have context as to its position relative to the main display. Information sensitivity levels may be used to specify whether an application program's data can be displayed, based on the perceived sensitivity of the information and the user's current context.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which an auxiliary computing device comprising a display and/or actuator set coupled to a host computer system may be interacted with (e.g., viewed) independent of whether a main display of the host computer system is visible, e.g., whether a laptop lid or tablet lid is open or closed. In one example implementation, the auxiliary device is located above the keyboard and the main display slightly elevated on one or more pivoting supports. This effectively provides an opening in the lid through which the auxiliary device may be viewed.