A method of switching an electronic device to a peek view mode of an intermediate mode of operation, comprising: receiving, by the electronic device, a notification message; determining whether the notification message satisfies one or more criteria for display in the intermediate mode of operation; in response to determining that the notification message satisfies the one or more criteria, switching the electronic device to the intermediate mode of operation; while operating in the intermediate mode of operation, activating only a first display portion associated with a touch screen display of the electronic device so as to display a first image portion based upon the notification message at a first area on the touch screen display that is within the first display portion, wherein the first display portion is less than the entire touch screen display; in response to determining that a first touch input has occurred in relation to the touch screen display at the first area, activating a second display portion associated with the touch screen display that encompasses at least some of the first display portion so as to continue to display the first image portion and additionally to display a second image portion at a second area on the touch screen display that is within the second display portion but that is not within the first display portion, wherein the second display portion is less than the entire touch screen display; and in response to determining that a second touch input has occurred in relation to the touch screen display, entering the peek view mode of the intermediate mode by activating a third display portion associated with the touch screen display so as to display a third image portion at a third area on the touch screen display that is within the third display portion, wherein the third display portion does not encompass either of the first or second display portions. receiving, by the electronic device, a notification message; determining whether the notification message satisfies one or more criteria for display in the intermediate mode of operation; in response to determining that the notification message satisfies the one or more criteria, switching the electronic device to the intermediate mode of operation; while operating in the intermediate mode of operation, activating only a first display portion associated with a touch screen display of the electronic device so as to display a first image portion based upon the notification message at a first area on the touch screen display that is within the first display portion, wherein the first display portion is less than the entire touch screen display; in response to determining that a first touch input has occurred in relation to the touch screen display at the first area, activating a second display portion associated with the touch screen display that encompasses at least some of the first display portion so as to continue to display the first image portion and additionally to display a second image portion at a second area on the touch screen display that is within the second display portion but that is not within the first display portion, wherein the second display portion is less than the entire touch screen display; and in response to determining that a second touch input has occurred in relation to the touch screen display, entering the peek view mode of the intermediate mode by activating a third display portion associated with the touch screen display so as to display a third image portion at a third area on the touch screen display that is within the third display portion, wherein the third display portion does not encompass either of the first or second display portions.