Multimedia client interface devices and methods

Abstract

Mobile devices are described, along with related services, systems, and methods. These devices include displays with pixel dimensions and pixel densities in ranges that are chosen to allow users to enjoy a more intuitive and more “desktop-like” Web or multi-media experience compared to other devices, while still enabling the devices to be pocketsize. Also described are devices with touch sensitive areas on the edges or back that let users efficiently and intuitively control some behaviors of the devices by touching the touch sensitive areas in certain ways. Embodiments of the present invention reduces the need for mechanical controls, which enables keeping the frame around the device's display unusually narrow, thereby permitting larger displays without increasing the overall sizes of the devices.

1 . A method of providing a user interface for a mobile device, the method comprising:
 (a) displaying one or more first virtual selectable items on the touch-screen display having a first type configured to respond to user input on the touch-screen indicating a user DOWN contact with the touchscreen; and   (b) simultaneously to step (a), displaying one or more second virtual selectable items in a web-page area of a browser window on the touch-screen display, the one or more second virtual selectable items having a second type configured to respond to user input on the touch-screen indicating a user UP contact release from the touchscreen;   (c) receiving a user finger input on the touch-screen indicating a user DOWN contact in an area of the touchscreen associated with a selected one of the second virtual selectable items; and   (d) in response to step (c), displaying a box or bubble substantially above and/or to the side of the finger contact point, where said box or bubble shows said one of second virtual selectable items or information identifying said one of first virtual selectable items—so that the box or bubble shows an indication of which item is being pressed even if the finger is covering the item.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , in which at least some of said virtual selectable items that respond on the press DOWN are virtual keyboard keys. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, when the user lifts up, causing said box or bubble to disappear. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, if the user's finger moves to cover another portion of the display without lifting, updating the bubble's content to correspondingly display the newly covered information or associated identifying information. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the information identifying said one of first virtual selectable items identifies to the user a single action to be taken when said virtual selectable item responds. 
   
   
       6 . A method for providing a user interface to interact with Web pages or other content displayed on a handheld device having a touch-screen display, the method comprising: while the user presses a finger down on the touch-screen display and the finger thereby covers information on a portion of the display, displaying the covered information in a box or “bubble” that is positioned away from an area at which the finger is pressed so as to not be covered by the user's finger and so as to help the user properly position their finger on a target item under the finger. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the information is web page information displayed in a web page display portion of a browser window, and the box or bubble displays a hyperlink location or link text. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, if the user's finger moves to cover another second portion of the display without lifting, updating the box or bubble's content to correspondingly display newly covered information. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising when the user's finger is lifted from the second portion of the display, activating a virtual selectable element associated with the second portion. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, when the user's finger is lifted from the area pressed, causing said box or bubble to disappear and a virtual selectable element associated with the area to be activated. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, when the user's finger is moved to an area not associated with a virtual selectable element, removing the text bubble. 
   
   
       12 . A method for providing a user interface to interact with Web pages or other content displayed on a handheld device having a touch-screen display, the method comprising: while the user presses a finger down on the touch-screen display and the finger thereby covers a virtual selectable item associated with first information on a portion of the display, displaying second information in a box or “bubble” that is positioned away from a point at which the finger is pressed so as to not be covered by the user's finger and so as to help the user properly position their finger on a target virtual selectable item, the second information designed to assist the user in identifying which virtual selectable item his or her finger is pressing. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising, if the user's finger moves to cover another second portion of the display without lifting, updating the box or bubble's content to correspondingly display newly covered information. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising when the user's finger is lifted from the second portion of the display, activating a virtual selectable element associated with the second portion. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising, when the user's finger is lifted from the area pressed, causing said box or bubble to disappear and a virtual selectable element associated with the area to be activated. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising, when the user's finger is moved to an area not associated with a virtual selectable element, removing the text box or bubble. 
   
   
       17 . A method for providing a user interface to interact with Web pages or other content displayed on a handheld device having a touch-screen display, the method comprising: while the user presses a finger down on the touch-screen display and the finger thereby covers a first virtual selectable item associated with first information on a portion of the display, displaying second information in a box or “bubble” that is positioned away from a point at which the finger is pressed so as to not be covered by the user's finger and so as to help the user properly position their finger on a target virtual selectable item, the second information designed to assist the user in identifying a single action associated with the virtual selectable item. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, if the user's finger moves to cover another second portion of the display without lifting, updating the box or bubble's content to correspondingly display third information designed to assist the user in identifying a single action associated with a second virtual selectable item, now at least partially covered by the user's finger. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising when the user's finger is lifted from the second portion of the display, activating a virtual selectable element associated with the second portion. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, when the user's finger is lifted from the area pressed, causing said box or bubble to disappear and a virtual selectable element associated with the area to be activated. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, when the user's finger is moved to an area not associated with a virtual selectable element, removing the text box or bubble.