Abstract: A system and method are provided to organize updates on a mobile device. The organization of the updates can be controlled according to something detectable on the mobile device which can be correlated to something detectable in the updates. For example, updates to be displayed on the mobile device can be organized based on context provided by the mobile device, such that more relevant updates are distinguishable from those that may be less relevant. In this way, all updates are accessible to the user, but those that are deemed to be particularly relevant may be more visible and more easily accessed to avoid the need to sort through or scroll through large lists of new updates.

Abstract: Graphical user representations, such as emoticons or avatars, used to convey mood and emotion, can be dynamically modified and manipulated, e.g. by squeezing, rotating, distorting, coloring, etc. This enables a user to customize or tailor an existing emoticon to better reflect the user's current mood or emotion. For example, a user may insert a smiley face emoticon into a text message and then manipulate or distort the face or a component of the face (e.g. the smile) to broaden the smile into a grin, or twist the smile into an ironic smile, etc. This enables the user to personalize the emoticon rather than having to select the most appropriate emoticon from a palette of predefined emoticons. Another aspect is device hardware (e.g. dedicated or shared user interface elements or specific touchscreen gestures) for recognizing the squeezes or other gestures that are meant to modify or manipulate the emoticon.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to organize updates on a mobile device. The organization of the updates can be controlled according to something detectable on the mobile device which can be correlated to something detectable in the updates. For example, updates to be displayed on the mobile device can be organized based on context provided by the mobile device, such that more relevant updates are distinguishable from those that may be less relevant. In this way, all updates are accessible to the user, but those that are deemed to be particularly relevant may be more visible and more easily accessed to avoid the need to sort through or scroll through large lists of new updates.

Abstract: Graphical user representations, such as emoticons or avatars, used to convey mood and emotion, can be dynamically modified and manipulated, e.g. by squeezing, rotating, distorting, colouring, etc. This enables a user to customize or tailor an existing emoticon to better reflect the user's current mood or emotion. For example, a user may insert a smiley face emoticon into a text message and then manipulate or distort the face or a component of the face (e.g. the smile) to broaden the smile into a grin, or twist the smile into an ironic smile, etc. This enables the user to personalize the emoticon rather than having to select the most appropriate emoticon from a palette of predefined emoticons. Another aspect is device hardware (e.g. dedicated or shared user interface elements or specific touchscreen gestures) for recognizing the squeezes or other gestures that are meant to modify or manipulate the emoticon.