Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow applications developers to change user experiences within an application without updating the application by relying on remote interface templates to create user experiences. The application code includes entry points to various remote interface templates stored on a remote device. The remote interface templates are consumed by the application to render content blocks that are all, or part of, the application's interface. The remote interface templates may be changed seamlessly at the remote device allowing the user to enjoy the updated interface without interruption the next time the application is opened.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow applications developers to change user experiences within an application without updating the application by relying on remote interface templates to create user experiences. The application code includes entry points to various remote interface templates stored on a remote device. The remote interface templates are consumed by the application to render content blocks that are all, or part of, the application's interface. The remote interface templates may be changed seamlessly at the remote device allowing the user to enjoy the updated interface without interruption the next time the application is opened.

Abstract: Graphical visual representations of electronic business cards may be generated from associated contact file information. Electronic business cards may be sent and received over digital media. Contacts information associated with received electronic business cards may be used for adding to or updating information contained in a recipient's electronic contact files.

Abstract: A contextually sensitive user interface for defining an e-mail message handling rule is provided. The user interface includes one or more user interface objects for specifying conditions for the rule and one or more user interface objects for defining the actions to be performed if the specified conditions are met. The conditions that are displayed within the user interface for selection are chosen, at least in part, based upon the context in which a request to create the e-mail handling rule is received. The displayed conditions may be based, in part, upon the contexts of reading an e-mail message, creating an e-mail message, creating an alert subscription, or selecting a user name.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and user interface are provided for managing e-mail rules and alert subscriptions from multiple sources. Alert messages and persistent state objects, such as cookies, are examined to determine whether they relate to an alert subscription. If an e-mail message or persistent state object is determined to relate to an alert subscription, a network address for a subscription source identified by the contents of the e-mail message or state object are added to a list of subscription sources. A request may then be received to manage one or more alert subscriptions. In response to the request, each subscription source identified in the list of subscription sources is validated. Each validated subscription source is added to a current subscriptions list, which is displayed to a user. Each subscription in the current subscriptions list may be modified or deleted by the user through a unified user interface for managing e-mail rules and alert subscriptions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for notifying a computer user of the occurrence of an event are provided. An indication is received that an event has occurred. In response to receiving the indication, a notification window is gradually displayed by varying the opacity of the window. When the event comprises the receipt of a new electronic mail message, the notification window includes a notification message indicating that the new electronic mail message has been received. If a predetermined period of time elapses without a selection of the new message notification window being received, the window is gradually removed. The new message notification window may be displayed above the displays provided by other executing applications.

Abstract: Graphical visual representations of electronic business cards may be generated from associated contact file information. Electronic business cards may be sent and received over digital media. Contacts information associated with received electronic business cards may be used for adding to or updating information contained in a recipient's electronic contact files.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and user interface are provided for managing e-mail rules and alert subscriptions from multiple sources. Alert messages and persistent state objects, such as cookies, are examined to determine whether they relate to an alert subscription. If an e-mail message or persistent state object is determined to relate to an alert subscription, a network address for a subscription source identified by the contents of the e-mail message or state object are added to a list of subscription sources. A request may then be received to manage one or more alert subscriptions. In response to the request, each subscription source identified in the list of subscription sources is validated. Each validated subscription source is added to a current subscriptions list, which is displayed to a user. Each subscription in the current subscriptions list may be modified or deleted by the user through a unified user interface for managing e-mail rules and alert subscriptions.