New patent shows possible Zune Phone tiled interface

[0006] Briefly described, the provided subject matter concerns an improved user interface for mobile devices such as smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and the like. An enhanced, customizable user interface can be updated dynamically to provide users with content without requiring user interaction. Users can monitor status and/or data of content accessible through the mobile device by simply observing the user interface.



[0007] The user interface can include a set of dynamic tiles. The tiles can include graphics, text or any other visual data. A number of tiles can be displayed using thumbnail views that provide minimal data. In addition, a tile can be selected as the active tile and displayed in an enlarged view including additional content. Tiles can be updated to reflect changes to associated content accessible through the mobile device. Content can be local to the mobile device or located remotely. For example, a tile can include data provided by an Internet subscription news service. Tiles can also provide independent functionality, including simple tasks, to users without requiring users to navigate away from the tile display space. In addition, tiles can provide users with quick, direct access to launch software applications available through the mobile device.



[0030] An enhanced user interface can include a tile space that can function as a home screen for a user, providing relevant content and quick access to applications. The tile space can provide users with a view or dashboard to monitor the current state of a subset of content obtainable through the mobile device. Many of the most frequently used functions or data can be accessed without navigating away from the tile space. The tile space can be capable of managing any number of tiles. One or more sets of tiles can be customized to provide for a particular user.



[0031] Individual tiles can provide users with access to applications, application content, remote content and/or independent functionality. One or more tiles can provide a user with the data and tasks most likely to be relevant to the particular user without requiring the user to leave the tile space. Typically, tiles are represented in a small or thumbnail view that provides some minimal amount of information. One tile, referred to herein as the active tile, can be shown in an expanded or summary view. An expanded view of the active tile allows additional information or functions to be provided to a user without necessitating navigation from the tile space to an application space. Users can select an active tile from the set of tiles managed by a tile space.