Patent ID: 7941761

Claim:
In a computer system having a host graphical user interface including a display device and a user interface selection device, a method of switching between a plurality of online services from within the host graphical user interface, the method comprising: displaying a media player graphical window that includes a single tool bar having both a host application function area and a service function area, the host application function area having application buttons to control functions of a host application for processing a media content, the service function area indicating an active online service for providing the media content, an active online service brand icon, service buttons to control functions associated with the active online service, and a service list menu button to display a list of valid online services and service brand icons from an all-services file; receiving the user input indicating a selection of the service list menu button; in response to the selection of the service list menu button, displaying the list of valid online services and online service brand icons; receiving the user input indicating the selection of a different online service from the list of valid online services; in response to the selection of the different online service, switching the active online service to the different online service, wherein the different online service hosts a corresponding service information file for the different online service, wherein each service file manages customization of a media player; altering the service buttons and providing an associated service brand icon in accordance with the customization of the different online service; and altering an appearance of the service function area in response to the selection of the service button, wherein the altering of the appearance is selected from the group comprising: highlighting the service function area; changing a color of the service function area; adjusting a texture of the service function area; and adjusting a background intensity level within the service function area.