TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments herein generally relate to electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays and, more specifically, to systems and methods for multitasking on an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display (e.g., a portable multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display).

BACKGROUND

Handheld electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays are ubiquitous. While these devices were originally designed for information consumption (e.g., web-browsing) and communication (e.g., email), they are rapidly replacing desktop and laptop computers as users' primary computing devices. When using desktop or laptop computers, these users are able to routinely multitask by accessing and using different running applications (e.g., cutting-and-pasting text from a document into an email). While there has been tremendous growth in the scope of new features and applications for handheld electronic devices, the ability to multitask and swap between applications on handheld electronic devices requires entirely different input mechanisms than those of desktop or laptop computers.

Moreover, the need for multitasking is particularly acute on handheld electronic devices, as they have smaller screens than traditional desktop and laptop computers. Some conventional handheld electronic devices attempt to address this need by recreating the desktop computer interface on the handheld electronic device. These attempted solutions, however, fail to take into account: (i) the significant differences in screen size between desktop computers and handled electronic devices, and (ii) the significant differences between keyboard and mouse interaction of desktop computers and those of touch and gesture inputs of handled electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays. Other attempted solutions require complex input sequences and menu hierarchies that are even less user-friendly than those provided on desktop or laptop computers. As such, it is desirable to provide an intuitive and easy-to-use systems and methods for simultaneously accessing multiple functions or applications on handheld electronic devices.

SUMMARY

The embodiments described herein address the need for systems, methods, and graphical user interfaces that provide intuitive and seamless interactions for multitasking on a handheld electronic device. Such methods and systems optionally complement or replace conventional touch inputs or gestures.

(A1) In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device (e.g., portable multifunction device100,FIG. 1A) with a touch-sensitive display (e.g., touch screen112,FIG. 1C). The method includes displaying a first set of one or more applications in a display area that occupies substantially all of a touch-sensitive display. While displaying the first set of one or more applications, the method also includes: (i) displaying a dock overlaying a first portion of the display area, (ii) detecting a contact on the touch-sensitive display over a first affordance displayed within the dock, and the first affordance is associated with a second set of one or more applications, and (iii) detecting movement of the contact away from the dock. Upon detecting a liftoff of the contact from the touch-sensitive display while the contact is over a second portion of the display area different from the first portion, the method further includes: displaying (i) at least some of the first set of one or more applications and (ii) at least some of the second set of one or more applications in the display area that occupies substantially all of the touch-sensitive display. In some instances, users of computing systems must employ inefficient and time-consuming interactions to operate two or more applications. Allowing a user to use a single and simple gesture (e.g., dragging an affordance from a dock and on to a main display area using a single finger) enables users to easily and efficiently activate a mode in which two or more applications are displayed and operated simultaneously. Enabling users to easily and efficiently activate this mode enhances operability of the device and makes the human-machine interface more efficient (e.g., by enabling the users to activate the mode using a single gesture). Additionally, this enables a sustained interaction with the touch-sensitive display that would not otherwise be possible due to having to employ multiple gestures to access two or more applications.

(A1.5) In some embodiments, before detecting liftoff of the contact: after the contact moves to within a threshold distance from an edge of the touch-sensitive display that borders at least some of the first set of one or more applications or at least some of the second set of one or more applications, resizing the first set of one or more applications to reveal the second portion of the display area adjacent to the resized first set of one or more applications.

(A2) In some embodiments of the method of A1, the method includes: after the contact moves at least a threshold distance away from the dock, resizing the first set of one or more applications to reveal the second portion of the display area adjacent to the resized first set of one or more applications. In some instances, users of computing systems may not appreciate the changes that will result from certain interactions on the touch-sensitive display. Providing clear visual feedback (e.g., resizing the first set of one or more applications to reveal the second portion of the display area) gives the user an opportunity to preview changes that will occur after they release (or liftoff) the contact. Providing this clear visual feedback enhances operability of the device and makes the human-machine interface more efficient (e.g., by enabling the users to understand changes that will occur and to avoid having to reverse unwanted changes). Additionally, this enables a sustained interaction with the touch-sensitive display that would not otherwise be possible due to users having to repeatedly undo or reverse undesired changes that they were not able to anticipate.

(A3) In some embodiments of the method of any one of A1.5 or A2, displaying (i) at least some of the first set of one or more applications and (ii) at least some of the second set of one or more applications in the display area that occupies substantially all of the touch-sensitive display includes: displaying the at least some of the second set of one or more applications in the second portion of the display area, and displaying the at least some of the first set of one or more applications in a remaining portion of the display area that is adjacent to the second portion of the display area.

(A4) In some embodiments of the method of any one of A1-A3, the method further includes, before detecting liftoff of the contact: displaying a representation of the affordance in proximity to the contact until the contact moves a threshold distance away from the dock; and in accordance with determining that the contact has moved at least the threshold distance away from the dock, ceasing to display the representation of the affordance and displaying a thumbnail of content associated with the second application in proximity to the contact. In this way, the user is provided with additional visual feedback that helps them appreciate and understand changes that will occur after they release (or liftoff) the contact. Providing this additional visual feedback enhances operability of the device and makes the human-machine interface more efficient (e.g., by enabling the users to better understand changes that will occur and to avoid having to reverse unwanted changes). Additionally, this enables a sustained interaction with the touch-sensitive secondary display that would not otherwise be possible due to users having to repeatedly undo or reverse undesired changes that they were not able to anticipate.

(A5) In some embodiments of the method of A4, the method further includes: resizing the thumbnail to match a display size of the first portion or the second portion, as the contact is moved on top of the first portion or the second portion, respectively. In this way, the user is provided with further visual feedback that helps them appreciate and understand changes that will occur after they release (or liftoff) the contact. Providing this further visual feedback enhances operability of the device and makes the human-machine interface more efficient (e.g., by enabling the users to better understand changes that will occur and to avoid having to reverse unwanted changes). Additionally, this enables a sustained interaction with the touch-sensitive secondary display that would not otherwise be possible due to users having to repeatedly undo or reverse undesired changes that they were not able to anticipate.

(A6) In some embodiments of the method of any one of claims A1-A5, displaying the dock includes: detecting an initial contact on the touch-sensitive display; and in response to detecting movement of the initial contact in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a bottom portion of the touch-sensitive display, displaying the dock in the first portion of the touch-sensitive display. Allowing the user to employ a simple, easy-to-use, and repeatable gesture to activate the dock helps to ensure that the user interface is made to operate more efficiently, as the user does not need to waste time searching for application-specific affordances, and is instead able to quickly access the dock and open application-specific affordances using the dock. This also helps to ensure that the user has a sustained interaction with the electronic device as they are able to fluidly move from accessing the dock to activating a split-view mode of operation in which the user is able to simultaneously interact with two different applications (as discussed in more detail below).

(A6.1) In some embodiments of the method of any one of A1-A4, the method includes, before detecting liftoff of the contact: displaying a representation of the first affordance in proximity to the contact until the contact moves a threshold distance away from the dock; and in accordance with determining that the contact has moved at least the threshold distance away from the dock, displaying a user interface object surrounding the representation of the first affordance in proximity to the contact.

(A6.2) In some embodiments of the method of A6.1, the user interface object has a first shape, and the method further comprises, before detecting the liftoff of the contact: modifying the user interface object to have a second shape or a third shape as the contact is moved on top of the first portion or the second portion, respectively, and the first shape is distinct from the second and third shapes.

(A7) In some embodiments of the method of any one of claims A1-A6, the first set comprises one first application, the second set comprises one second application, the affordance is associated with the one second application, and upon detecting the lift-off of the contact (e.g., while the contact is located within a threshold distance of an edge of the touch-sensitive display that borders the one first application), the first and second applications are displayed side-by-side in the display area. In instances in which the first set comprises one first application and the second set comprises one second application, users of computing systems are able to activate a split-view mode in which the first application and the second application are displayed together by simply dragging an affordance corresponding to the second application over the second portion of the display. Providing clear visual feedback (e.g., revealing the second portion of the display area after the contact moves the threshold distance) gives the user an opportunity to preview changes that will occur after they release (or liftoff) the contact. Providing this clear visual feedback enhances operability of the device and makes the human-machine interface more efficient (e.g., by enabling the users to understand that releasing the contact will activate a split-view mode that includes the first and second applications). Additionally, this enables a sustained interaction with the touch-sensitive display that would not otherwise be possible due to users having to repeatedly undo or reverse undesired changes that they were not able to anticipate.

(A7.1) In some embodiments of the method of A7, upon detecting the lift-off of the contact while the contact is located over the one first application, the second application is displayed overlaying the first application in the display area.

(A8) In some embodiments of the method of any one of A1-A7, the first set comprises at least a first application and a second application, the second set comprises one third application, and the affordance is associated with the one third application. In instances in which the first set comprises a first application and a second application and the second set comprises one second application, then users of computing systems are able to add a new application to a split-view mode in which the first application and the second application are displayed together by simply dragging an affordance corresponding to a third application on to the display. Providing clear visual feedback (e.g., revealing the second portion of the display area after the contact moves the threshold distance) gives the user an opportunity to preview changes that will occur after they release (or liftoff) the contact. Additionally, this enables a sustained interaction with the touch-sensitive display that would not otherwise be possible due to users having to repeatedly undo or reverse undesired changes that they were not able to anticipate.

(A9) In some embodiments of the method of A8, the method further includes, in accordance with determining that the liftoff of the contact occurs over the second application, replacing the second application with the third application on the touch-sensitive display. In this way, the users are provided with the ability to replace the second application with the third application in the split-view mode, thereby enable a sustained interaction in which the user is able to quickly and easily substitute in a new application to be viewed simultaneously with the first application.

(A9.1) In some embodiments of the method of A9, the method further includes: upon detecting the lift-off of the contact while the contact is located over the one first application, the second application is displayed overlaying the first application in the display area.

(A10) In some embodiments of the method of any one of A1-A9, the first set comprises a first group of at least two pinned applications, the second set comprises a second group of at least two pinned applications, and the affordance is associated with the second group of at least two pinned applications. In instances in which the first and second sets each comprise groups of pinned applications, then users of computing systems are able to add a new group of pinned applications to a split-view mode by simply dragging an affordance corresponding to the second group on to the display. Providing clear visual feedback (e.g., revealing the second portion of the display area after the contact moves the threshold distance) gives the user an opportunity to preview changes that will occur after they release (or liftoff) the contact. Additionally, this enables a sustained interaction with the touch-sensitive display that would not otherwise be possible due to users having to repeatedly undo or reverse undesired changes that they were not able to anticipate.

(A11) In some embodiments of the method of A10, the method further includes: in accordance with a determination that liftoff of the contact occurs over the first group of applications, replacing the first group of at least two pinned applications with the second group of at least two pinned applications. In this way, the users are provided with the ability to quickly switch a first group of pinned applications for a second group of pinned applications, thereby enabling a sustained interaction in which the user is able to quickly and easily substitute in new groups of pinned applications on to the display.

(A12) In some embodiments of the method of any one of claims A1-A11, the first set of one or more applications comprises an instance of a first application, the second set of one or more applications comprises an additional instance of the first application, and the instance and the additional instance are distinct instances of the first application. In instances in which the first and second sets each comprise different instances of the same first application, then users of computing systems are able to pin two different instances of a single application next to each other. Allowing pinning of two different instances together, offers users an improved man-machine interface (e.g., by ensuring that users are able to interact with different features of a single application simultaneously, such as, e.g., editing a message in a messaging application while also copying content from a different message in that same messaging application). Additionally, this enables a sustained interaction with the touch-sensitive display that would not otherwise be possible due to users having to repeatedly undo or reverse undesired changes that they were not able to anticipate.

(A13) In yet another aspect, an electronic device is provided and the electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display, one or more processors, and memory storing one or more programs, which when executed by the one or more processors cause the electronic device to perform the method described in any one of A1-A12.

(A14) In an additional aspect, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device including: a touch-sensitive display and means for performing the method described in any one of A1-A12.

(A15) In still one more aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores executable instructions that, when executed by an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display, cause the electronic device to perform the method described in any one of A1-A12.

(A16) In another aspect, a graphical user interface on an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is provided. The graphical user interface includes user interfaces displayed in accordance with the method described in any one of A1-A12.

(B1) In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device (e.g., portable multifunction device100,FIG. 1A) with a touch-sensitive display (e.g., touch screen112,FIG. 1C). The method includes displaying a first application and a second application in a display area that occupies substantially all of a touch-sensitive display. While displaying the first application and the second application in the display area, the method also includes displaying an affordance near an edge of the second application and detecting a contact over the affordance that moves in a direction across the touch-sensitive display. In accordance with a determination that the direction is a first direction, the method further includes: resizing the first application to occupy substantially all of the display area and displaying the second application overlaying the resized first application. In accordance with a determination that the direction is a second direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the method includes moving the second application within the display area. In some instances, users of computing systems must employ inefficient and time-consuming interactions to operate two or more applications. Allowing a user to interact with a handle to either activate a slide-over mode or move a particular application within the display area enables users to easily and efficiently move applications around and switch between a side-by-side view or a slide-over view. Enabling users to easily and efficiently move applications around and to switch between different modes of using two or more applications at the same time enhances operability of the device and makes the human-machine interface more efficient (e.g., by enabling the users to choose how to interact with the two or more applications at the same time, e.g., using a side-by-side view or using a slide-over/overlay mode). Additionally, this enables a sustained interaction with the touch-sensitive display that would not otherwise be possible due to having to employ multiple gestures to customize simultaneous interactions with two or more applications.

(B2) In some embodiments of the method of B1, the method further includes while the second application overlays the resized first application, detecting user input at the first application; and responding to the user input via the first application. Allowing users to interact with the first application, even while the second application is overlaid on top of the first application enables users to customize how they want to simultaneously interact with two applications that are displayed at the same time. Enabling users to customize their user experiences in this way enhances operability of the device and makes the human-machine interface more efficient (e.g., their customized selections will allow them to use various features more efficiently instead of having to make a default arrangement work). Additionally, this enables a sustained interaction with the touch-sensitive display that would not otherwise be possible due to users being forced to interact with two or more applications that are displayed together in a default way and without any user-specific customizations.

(B3) In some embodiments of the method of B2, the method includes, after the determination that the direction is the first direction, in response to a request to open a third application, distinct from the first and the second applications, (i) displaying the third application in a portion of the display area previously occupied by the first application and (ii) displaying the second application overlaying the third application. Allowing an overlaid application to remain displayed after users have opened up a new application helps to ensure that a sustained interaction is maintained with features of the electronic device (e.g., features accessed by the user through the overlaid application that may have to be re-opened again if the overlaid application did not remain displayed). Because users are also able to avoid having to re-open features of the overlaid application, the operability of the device is improved and the human-machine interface is also made to operate more efficiently.

(B4) In some embodiments of the method of any one of B1-B3, the second application is initially displayed as bordering a first edge of the touch-sensitive display, and moving the second application within the display area includes: (i) moving the second application in the second direction until the second application borders a second edge, opposite to the first edge, of the touch-sensitive display; and (ii) displaying the first application in a remaining portion of the display area, distinct from a portion occupied by the second application, so that the first application borders the first edge of the touch-sensitive display. Allowing users to move around an application by dragging the affordance (e.g., a handle that is displayed over the overlaid application) helps to enable users to customize how they want to simultaneously interact with two applications that are displayed at the same time. Enabling users to customize their user experiences in this way enhances operability of the device and makes the human-machine interface more efficient (e.g., their customized selections with respect to where each application should be displayed allows them to use various features more efficiently instead of having to make a default arrangement work). Additionally, this enables a sustained interaction with the touch-sensitive display that would not otherwise be possible due to users being forced to interact with two or more applications that are displayed together in a default way and without any user-specific customizations.

(B5) In some embodiments of the method of B4, before moving the second application until the second application borders the second edge, a preview of the portion occupied by the second application is revealed next to the first application. In some instances, users of computing systems may not appreciate the changes that will result from certain interactions on the touch-sensitive display. Providing clear visual feedback (e.g., showing a preview of where the second application will be move to) gives the user an opportunity to preview changes that will occur after they release (or liftoff) the contact. Providing this clear visual feedback enhances operability of the device and makes the human-machine interface more efficient (e.g., by enabling the users to understand changes that will occur and to avoid having to reverse unwanted changes). Additionally, this enables a sustained interaction with the touch-sensitive display that would not otherwise be possible due to users having to repeatedly undo or reverse undesired changes that they were not able to anticipate.

(B6) In some embodiments of the method of any one of B1-B5, the first direction is a downward direction, relative to the edge of the second application, and the second direction is a lateral direction that is substantially perpendicular to the downward direction. Allowing users to move a handle in different directions helps to offer users additional and simple ways to flexibly customize how they want to simultaneously interact with two applications that are displayed at the same time. Enabling users to customize their user experiences in this way enhances operability of the device and makes the human-machine interface more efficient (e.g., their customized selections with respect to where each application should be displayed allows them to use various features more efficiently instead of having to make a default arrangement work). Additionally, this enables a sustained interaction with the touch-sensitive display that would not otherwise be possible due to users being forced to interact with two or more applications that are displayed together in a default way and without any user-specific customizations.

(B7) In some embodiments of the method of any one of B1-B6, the method includes, before displaying the affordance, detecting user input at the edge of the second application and displaying the affordance in response to detecting the user input. In this way, the users are provided with a simple gesture that is used to activate display of the handle, thereby enhancing operability of the device (e.g., by ensuring that the handle is only displayed when it is needed by a user).

(B8) In some embodiments of the method of B7, the user input includes a contact at the edge of the second application and movement of the contact in the first direction across the touch-sensitive display. As discussed above, this provides users with a simple gesture that is used to activate display of the handle, thereby enhancing operability of the device (e.g., by ensuring that the handle is only displayed when it is needed by a user).

(B8.1) In some embodiments of the method of any one of claims B1-B8, after resizing the first application and displaying the second application overlaying the resized first application: detecting an additional contact over the affordance and movement of the additional contact in a third direction that is opposite to the first direction; in response to detecting that the additional contact has moved the threshold distance in the third direction, ceasing to display the second application overlaying the resized first application and re-displaying the first application and the second application in the display area that occupies substantially all of the touch-sensitive display.

(B8.2) In some embodiments of the method of any one of claims B1-B8, the method further includes, after resizing the first application and displaying the second application overlaying the resized first application: detecting an additional contact over the affordance and movement of the additional contact in the first direction; and in response to detecting that the additional contact has moved a second threshold distance across the touch-sensitive display, scaling down content associated with the second application in accordance with movement of the additional contact until a user interface object with a representation of an affordance corresponding to the second application is displayed.

(B8.3) In some embodiments of the method of B8.2, in accordance with a determination that the additional contact moves over a dock and is lifted off from the touch-sensitive display, dismissing the second application and displaying the first application occupying substantially all of the touch-sensitive display; and in accordance with a determination that the additional contact moves to within a threshold distance of an edge of the touch-sensitive display and is lifted off from the touch-sensitive display, re-displaying the first application and the second application in the display area that occupies substantially all of the touch-sensitive display.

(B9) In some embodiments of the method of any one of B1-B8, displaying the first and second applications in the display area includes simultaneously displaying the first and second applications side-by-side in the display area.

(B10) In yet another aspect, an electronic device is provided and the electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display, one or more processors, and memory storing one or more programs, which when executed by the one or more processors cause the electronic device to perform the method described in any one of B1-B9.

(B11) In an additional aspect, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device including: a touch-sensitive display and means for performing the method described in any one of B1-B9.

(B12) In still one more aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores executable instructions that, when executed by an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display, cause the electronic device to perform the method described in any one of B1-B9.

(B13) In another aspect, a graphical user interface on an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is provided. The graphical user interface includes user interfaces displayed in accordance with the method described in any one of B1-B9.

(C1) In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device (e.g., portable multifunction device100,FIG. 1A) with a touch-sensitive display (e.g., touch screen112,FIG. 1C) and one or more processors. The method includes displaying at least two applications in a display area that occupies substantially all of the touch-sensitive display. The method further includes receiving user input that corresponds to a request to display an application-switcher user interface. In response to receiving the user input, the method further includes displaying the application-switcher user interface on the touch-sensitive display, where the application-switcher user interface includes respective representations of at least some applications that were recently used on the electronic device, and the respective representations include a representation of the display area with the at least two applications.

(C2) In some embodiments of the method of C1, displaying the application-switcher user interface includes displaying a dock that includes a plurality of affordances corresponding to applications available on the electronic device. In some embodiments, the method further includes: (i) detecting contact over an affordance of the plurality of affordances included in the dock; (ii) detecting movement of the contact towards the representation of the display area; and (iii) upon detecting liftoff of the contact over a first application of the at least two applications included in the representation of the display area, the method further includes ceasing to display the first application in the representation of the display area and instead displaying an additional application corresponding to the affordance within the representation of the display area.

(C3) In some embodiments of the method of any one of C1-C2, while displaying the application-switcher user interface, the method further includes: (i) detecting additional user input over a first application of the at least two applications included in the representation of the display area; (ii) in response to detecting the additional user input, displaying a dismiss affordance over at least a portion of the first application; and (iii) upon detecting a selection of the dismiss affordance, closing the first application and displaying an updated representation of a remainder of the at least two applications other than the first application in the application-switcher user interface.

(C4) In some embodiments of the method of any one of C1-C3, the method further includes: (i) detecting a contact over a first application of the at least two applications included in the representation of the display area; (ii) detecting movement of the contact away from the representation of the display area; and (iii) upon detecting that the contact has moved to a predefined area within the application-switcher user interface, ceasing to display the first application in the representation and displaying an updated representation of a remainder of the at least two applications other than the first application in the application-switcher user interface.

(C5) In some embodiments of the method of C4, a dock is displayed overlaying at least the predefined area of the application-switcher user interface, the dock including affordances corresponding to a plurality of applications available on the electronic device.

(C6) In some embodiments of the method of any one of C1-C5, displaying the application-switcher user interface includes gradually decreasing a size of the display area until it reaches a predefined size associated with the representation.

(C7) In some embodiments of the method of any preceding claim, the respective representations include an additional representation of an additional application that is associated with an overlaid application, and the additional representation does not show the overlaid application.

(C8) In some embodiments of the method of any preceding claim, displaying the at least two applications in the display area includes simultaneously displaying the at least two applications side-by-side in the display area, and displaying the representation of the display area with the at least two applications includes simultaneously displaying the at least two applications side-by-side in the representation of the display area.

(C9) In yet another aspect, an electronic device is provided and the electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display, one or more processors, and memory storing one or more programs, which when executed by the one or more processors cause the electronic device to perform the method described in any one of C1-C8.

(C10) In an additional aspect, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device including: a touch-sensitive display and means for performing the method described in any one of C1-C8.

(C11) In still one more aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores executable instructions that, when executed by an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display, cause the electronic device to perform the method described in any one of C1-C8.

(C12) In still another aspect, an information processing apparatus for use in an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is provided. The information processing apparatus includes means for performing the method described in any one of C1-C8.

(C13) In another aspect, a graphical user interface on an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is provided. The graphical user interface includes user interfaces displayed in accordance with the method described in any one of C1-C8.

(D1) In accordance with some embodiments, a method for activating two or more instances of the same application. For example, a first instance of a mail application (e.g., displaying an inbox) is open on one side of the screen, while a second instance of the same mail application (e.g., displaying an individual email reply) is open on the other side of the screen. An instance is a concrete single occurrence of an object, existing usually during the runtime of a computer program, e.g., each time a program or application runs, it is an instance of that program. In some embodiments, the method is performed at an electronic device (e.g., portable multifunction device100,FIG. 1A) with a touch-sensitive display (e.g., touch screen112,FIG. 1C) and one or more processors. In this embodiment, initially, a first instance of an application is displayed on substantially all of the touch-sensitive display. Then, a contact is detected over an affordance displayed within the first instance of the application. Movement of the contact is then detected across the touch-sensitive display. Upon detecting a liftoff of the contact after the contact has moved across the touch-sensitive display, and to within a predefined portion of the touch-sensitive display, activating a split-view mode of operation for the electronic device that includes simultaneously displaying: (i) a second instance, distinct from the first instance, of the application is displayed with content associated with the affordance, and (ii) at least a portion of the first instance of the application, wherein the second instance and the portion of the first instance are displayed as occupying substantially all of the touch-sensitive display.

In some embodiments, the first and second instances of the application are distinct executable processes that are executing on the one or more processors of the electronic device (e.g., two distinct instantiations of the application that are both separately executing on the one or more processors of the electronic device). Stated another way, after detecting the liftoff, the second instance of the application is instantiated and then displayed side-by-side with the first instance of the application, thereby enabling a user to easily/conveniently view and use content from the first instance while also interacting with the second instance.

In some instances, users of computing systems lose access to certain features of an application after selecting to open other features within an application (e.g., users may be unable to view a received email after selecting an option to reply to that received email). Opening multiple instances of a single application allows users to continue viewing and using these certain features. Enabling users to continue viewing and using these certain features enhances operability of the device and makes the human-machine interface more efficient (e.g., by enabling the users to use these certain features without having to provide multiple inputs in order to re-open these certain features after they have been closed). Additionally, this enables a sustained interaction with the touch-sensitive display that would not otherwise be possible due to having to employ multiple gestures or inputs to figure out how to re-open or access these certain features after they have been closed or are no longer displayed.

(D2) In some embodiments of the method of D1, before activating the split-view mode, the system detects at least one of: (i) that the contact has moved at least a threshold distance (e.g., 1-2 centimeters) across the touch-sensitive display, and (ii) the contact has moved to a predefined portion of the touch-sensitive display. In other words, in some embodiments the system determines whether the contact has moved at least a threshold distance (e.g., 1-2 centimeters) across the touch-sensitive display, while in other embodiments, the system determines whether the contact has moved to a predefined portion of the touch-sensitive display (e.g., the right third to half of the screen). In yet other embodiments, the system determines whether either of these movements has occurred, while in other embodiments the system determines whether both of these movements have occurred. In response to detecting that the contact has moved at least the threshold distance or to a predefined portion of the screen, (i) the first instance of the application is resized to occupy a first portion of the touch-sensitive display, and (ii) the predefined portion of the touch-sensitive display adjacent to the first portion is revealed. In this way, users of computing systems are provided with a preview that reveals the second portion of the display, to provide them with a visual preview as to how a split-view mode will look. This enhances operability of the device as users are able to make a decision as to whether to activate the split-view mode or not after viewing the preview, thereby ensuring users are able to discover how to activate a split-view mode and ensuring that users are able to preview such a mode before activating it.

(D3) In some embodiments of the method of D2, activating the split-view mode of operation includes displaying the second instance of the application in the predefined portion of the touch-sensitive display.

(D4) In some embodiments of the method of D1, before detecting movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive display, a preview of content associated with the affordance is displayed beneath the contact. In some embodiments, the preview is displayed only after the contact has remained over the affordance for predetermined period of time (e.g., 1 or 2 seconds). In other embodiments, the preview is displayed only after an intensity of the contact exceeds an intensity threshold (e.g., a hard or deep press).

(D5) In some embodiments of the method of D4, the application is an email application, the affordance is a representation of a message displayed in the first instance of the email application, and the preview is displayed upon detecting that the contact has an intensity of contact that is greater than a predefined intensity threshold.

(D6) In some embodiments of the method of D4, the application is an email application, the affordance is a representation of a message displayed in the first instance of the email application, and the preview is displayed upon detecting that the contact remains on the affordance on the touch-sensitive display for more than a predefined amount of time (e.g., 1, 2, or 3 seconds).

(D7) In some embodiments of the methods of D1-D4, the application is an email application, and the contact over the affordance is a contact over a link (e.g., a reply, a reply all, or a compose new message link) displayed in the first instance of the email application.

(D8) In yet another aspect, an electronic device is provided and the electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display, one or more processors, and memory storing one or more programs, which when executed by the one or more processors cause the electronic device to perform the method described in any one of D1-D7.

(D9) In an additional aspect, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device including: a touch-sensitive display and means for performing the method described in any one of D1-D7.

(D10) In still one more aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores executable instructions that, when executed by an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display, cause the electronic device to perform the method described in any one of D1-D7.

(D11) In another aspect, a graphical user interface on an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is provided. The graphical user interface includes user interfaces displayed in accordance with the method described in any one of D1-D7.

(E1) In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device (e.g., portable multifunction device100,FIG. 1A) with a touch-sensitive display (e.g., touch screen112,FIG. 1C). The method includes: displaying content on the touch-sensitive display and detecting movement of a contact in a direction substantially perpendicular to an edge of the touch-sensitive display. The method also includes upon determining that movement of the contact satisfies a first movement-based threshold (e.g., the contact has moved beyond a first threshold distance away from the edge), displaying a dock overlaying at least a portion of the content, the dock including a plurality of affordances that, when selected, cause the electronic device to open a respective application that is available on the electronic device. While displaying the dock and in accordance with a determination that the contact satisfies a second movement-based threshold (e.g., the contact has moved beyond a second threshold distance greater than the first threshold distance away from the edge), the method further includes activating an application-switcher user interface that includes respective selectable representations of at least some applications that were recently used on the electronic device. By providing a single gesture that is used to activate a dock and then an application-switcher user interface, operability of the device is enhanced and the human-machine interface is made to operated more efficiently (e.g., because users are able to provide a single input to activate a dock and an application-switch user interface, instead of having to employ multiple, inefficient, and time-wasting inputs to separately access a dock and then access an application-switcher user interface at some later point in time).

(E1.5) In some embodiments of the method of E1, the first and second movement-based threshold are selected from the group consisting of distance thresholds, velocity thresholds, or acceleration thresholds.

(E2) In yet another aspect, an electronic device is provided and the electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display, one or more processors, and memory storing one or more programs, which when executed by the one or more processors cause the electronic device to perform the method described in any one of E1 to E1.5.

(E3) In an additional aspect, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device including: a touch-sensitive display and means for performing the method described in any one of E1 to E1.5.

(E4) In still one more aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores executable instructions that, when executed by an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display, cause the electronic device to perform the method described in any one of E1 to E1.5.

(E5) In another aspect, a graphical user interface on an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display is provided. The graphical user interface includes user interfaces displayed in accordance with the method described in any one of E1 to E1.5.

Note that the various embodiments described above can be combined with any other embodiments described herein. The features and advantages described in the specification are not all inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.

