PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9244584-B2
Application Number: US-201113333900-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Device, method, and graphical user interface for navigating and previewing content items

Abstract:
A portable electronic device displays concurrently a first predefined scrollable area and a second predefined scrollable area distinct from the first predefined scrollable area. The first predefined scrollable area includes a plurality of graphical objects and is configured to scroll in a first direction. Each of the plurality of graphical objects represents a respective set of content items. The second predefined scrollable area includes a list of content items and is configured to scroll in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The device detects a gesture that corresponds to selection of a first graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area; and, in response to detecting the gesture, plays respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected first graphical object.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a display; 
 a touch-sensitive surface; 
 one or more processors; 
 memory; and 
 one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:
 displaying a predefined scrollable area, wherein
 the predefined scrollable area concurrently displays a pointer object and at least some of a plurality of album art images; 
 the pointer object is overlaid on a respective album art image in the plurality of album art images; 
 each of the plurality of album art images represents a respective set of content items; and 
 the predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll the plurality of album art images in a first direction; 
 
 detecting a first finger drag gesture or a first finger swipe gesture in a horizontal or a vertical direction; 
 in response to detecting the first finger drag gesture or the first finger swipe gesture:
 scrolling the plurality of album art images such that the pointer object coincides with and is overlaid on at least a portion of a first album art image in the plurality of album art images; and 
 playing respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the first album art image; 
 
 detecting a second finger drag gesture or a second finger swipe gesture in a vertical direction when the first finger drag gesture or the first finger swipe gesture is in a horizontal direction and in a horizontal direction when the first finger drag gesture or the first finger swipe gesture is in a vertical direction, starting in the predefined scrollable area, to expand the predefined scrollable area from a first predefined size to a second predefined size larger than the first predefined size; and 
 in response to detecting the second finger drag gesture or the second finger swipe gesture to expand the predefined scrollable area:
 expanding the predefined scrollable area from the first predefined size to the second predefined size; and 
 displaying a multi-row array of album art images, each respective album art image representing a respective set of content items, in the predefined scrollable area at the second predefined size. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein a respective portion of a respective content item starts playing from a predefined location in the respective content item. 
     
     
       3. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the respective portions are played in an order that corresponds to an order of the content items within the set of content items. 
     
     
       4. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , including instructions for:
 while playing a portion of a first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the first album art image, detecting a scrolling gesture; and, 
 in response to detecting the scrolling gesture:
 scrolling the plurality of album art images in the predefined scrollable area in accordance with the scrolling gesture; 
 ceasing to play the portion of the first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the first album art image; 
 playing respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the first album art image, other than the first content item, while the pointer object coincides with and is overlaid on at least a portion of the first album art image; and 
 playing respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to a second album art image, distinct from the first album art image, while the pointer object coincides with and is overlaid on at least a portion of the second album art image. 
 
 
     
     
       5. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , including instructions for:
 detecting a gesture that corresponds to selection of a second album art image of the plurality of album art images in the predefined scrollable area; and 
 in response to detecting the gesture that corresponds to selection of the second album art image, playing respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected second album art image. 
 
     
     
       6. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 detecting a first finger drag gesture or a first finger swipe gesture includes detecting that the first finger drag gesture or the first finger swipe gesture is in a horizontal direction, 
 scrolling the plurality of album art images includes scrolling the plurality of album art images in the horizontal direction, 
 detecting a second finger drag gesture or a second finger swipe gesture includes detecting that the second finger drag gesture or the second finger swipe gesture is in a vertical direction, and 
 expanding the predefined scrollable area from the first predefined size to the second predefined size includes expanding the predefined scrollable area in the vertical direction. 
 
     
     
       7. A method, comprising:
 at a portable electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface:
 displaying a predefined scrollable area, wherein:
 the predefined scrollable area concurrently displays a pointer object and at least some of a plurality of album art images; 
 the pointer object is overlaid on a respective album art image in the plurality of album art images; 
 each of the plurality of album art images represents a respective set of content items; and 
 the predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll the plurality of album art images in a first direction; 
 
 detecting a first finger drag gesture or a first finger swipe gesture in a horizontal or a vertical direction; 
 in response to detecting the first finger drag gesture or the first finger swipe gesture:
 scrolling the plurality of album art images such that the pointer object coincides with and is overlaid on at least a portion of a first album art image in the plurality of album art images; and 
 playing respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the first album art image; 
 
 detecting a second finger drag gesture or a second finger swipe gesture in a vertical direction when the first finger drag gesture or the first finger swipe gesture is in a horizontal direction and in a horizontal direction when the first finger drag gesture or the first finger swipe gesture is in a vertical direction, starting in the predefined scrollable area, to expand the predefined scrollable area from a first predefined size to a second predefined size larger than the first predefined size; and 
 in response to detecting the second finger drag gesture or the second finger swipe gesture to expand the predefined scrollable area:
 expanding the predefined scrollable area from the first predefined size to the second predefined size; and 
 displaying a multi-row array of album art images, each respective album art image representing a respective set of content items, in the predefined scrollable area at the second predefined size. 
 
 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein a respective portion of a respective content item starts playing from a predefined location in the respective content item. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the respective portions are played in an order that corresponds to an order of the content items within the set of content items. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , including:
 while playing a portion of a first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the first album art image, detecting a scrolling gesture; and, 
 in response to detecting the scrolling gesture:
 scrolling the plurality of album art images in the predefined scrollable area in accordance with the scrolling gesture; 
 ceasing to play the portion of the first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the first album art image; 
 playing respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the first album art image, other than the first content item, while the pointer object coincides with and is overlaid on at least a portion of the first album art image; and 
 playing respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to a second album art image, distinct from the first album art image, while the pointer object coincides with and is overlaid on at least a portion of the second album art image. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7 , including:
 detecting a gesture that corresponds to selection of a second album art image of the plurality of album art images in the predefined scrollable area; and 
 in response to detecting the gesture that corresponds to selection of the second album art image, playing respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected second album art image. 
 
     
     
       12. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a portable electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to:
 display a predefined scrollable area, wherein
 the predefined scrollable area concurrently displays a pointer object and at least some of plurality of album art images; 
 the pointer object is overlaid on a respective album art image in the plurality of album art images; 
 each of the plurality of album art images represents a respective set of content items; and 
 the predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll the plurality of album art images in a first direction; 
 
 detect a first finger drag gesture or a first finger swipe gesture in a horizontal or a vertical direction; 
 in response to detecting the first finger drag gesture or the first finger swipe gesture:
 scroll the plurality of album art images such that the pointer object coincides with and is overlaid on at least a portion of a first album art image in the plurality of album art images; and 
 play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the first album art image; 
 
 detect a second finger drag gesture or a second finger swipe gesture in a vertical direction when the first finger drag gesture or the first finger swipe gesture is in a horizontal direction and in a horizontal direction when the first finger drag gesture or the first finger swipe gesture is in a vertical direction, starting in the predefined scrollable area, to expand the predefined scrollable area from a first predefined size to a second predefined size larger than the first predefined size; and 
 in response to detecting the second finger drag gesture or the second finger swipe gesture to expand the predefined scrollable area:
 expand the predefined scrollable area from the first predefined size to the second predefined size; and 
 display a multi-row array of album art images, each respective album art image representing a respective set of content items, in the predefined scrollable area at the second predefined size. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 12 , wherein a respective portion of a respective content item starts playing from a predefined location in the respective content item. 
     
     
       14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 12 , wherein the respective portions are played in an order that corresponds to an order of the content items within the set of content items. 
     
     
       15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 12 , the one or more programs including instructions, which when executed by the portable electronic device with the display and the touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to:
 while playing a portion of a first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the first album art image, detect a scrolling gesture; and, 
 in response to detecting the scrolling gesture:
 scroll the plurality of album art images in the predefined scrollable area in accordance with the scrolling gesture; 
 cease to play the portion of the first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the first album art image; 
 play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the first album art image, other than the first content item, while the pointer object coincides with and is overlaid on at least a portion of the first album art image; and 
 play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to a second album art image, distinct from the first album art image, while the pointer object coincides with and is overlaid on at least a portion of the second album art image. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 12 , the one or more programs including instructions, which when executed by the portable electronic device with the display and the touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to:
 detect a gesture that corresponds to selection of a second album art image of the plurality of album art images in the predefined scrollable area; and 
 in response to detecting the gesture that corresponds to selection of the second album art image, play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected second album art image.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/528,098, filed Aug. 26, 2011, which incorporated by reference herein its entirety. 
     This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/333,890, filed Dec. 21, 2011, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Navigating and Previewing Content Items,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This relates generally to electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces, including but not limited to electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces that navigate and preview content items. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The use of touch-sensitive surfaces as input devices for computers and other electronic computing devices has increased significantly in recent years. Exemplary touch-sensitive surfaces include touch pads and touch screen displays. Such surfaces are widely used to manipulate user interface objects on a display, such as objects that correspond to digital content (e.g., music and videos). 
     Exemplary manipulations include navigating, viewing, selecting, and playing content items in a video and music player (e.g., iPod from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.). But existing methods for navigating through and previewing content items are cumbersome and inefficient. Previewing can become tedious and create a significant cognitive burden on a user. In addition, existing methods take longer than necessary, thereby wasting energy. This latter consideration is particularly important in battery-operated devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, there is a need for electronic devices with faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for navigating and previewing content items. Such methods and interfaces may complement or replace conventional methods for navigating and previewing content items. Such methods and interfaces reduce the cognitive burden on a user and produce a more efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated devices, such methods and interfaces conserve power and increase the time between battery charges. 
     The above deficiencies and other problems associated with user interfaces for electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces are reduced or eliminated by the disclosed devices. In some embodiments, the device is a desktop computer. In some embodiments, the device is portable (e.g., a notebook computer, tablet computer, or handheld device). In some embodiments, the device has a touchpad. In some embodiments, the device has a touch-sensitive display (also known as a “touch screen” or “touch screen display”). In some embodiments, the device has a graphical user interface (GUI), one or more processors, memory and one or more modules, programs or sets of instructions stored in the memory for performing multiple functions. In some embodiments, the user interacts with the GUI primarily through finger contacts and gestures on the touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the functions may include image editing, drawing, presenting, word processing, website creating, disk authoring, spreadsheet making, game playing, telephoning, video conferencing, e-mailing, instant messaging, workout support, digital photographing, digital videoing, web browsing, digital music playing, and/or digital video playing. Executable instructions for performing these functions may be included in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium or other computer program product configured for execution by one or more processors. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at a portable electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes displaying concurrently on the display a first predefined scrollable area and a second predefined scrollable area distinct from the first predefined scrollable area. The first predefined scrollable area includes a plurality of graphical objects. Each of the plurality of graphical objects represents a respective set of content items. The first predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll in a first direction. The second predefined scrollable area includes a list of content items. The second predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The method also includes detecting a gesture that corresponds to selection of a first graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area; and, in response to detecting the gesture that corresponds to selection of the first graphical object, playing respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected first graphical object. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at a portable electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes displaying concurrently on the display a pointer object and a predefined scrollable area. The predefined scrollable area includes a plurality of graphical objects. Each of the plurality of graphical objects represents a respective set of content items. The predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll in a first direction. The method also includes detecting a finger drag gesture or a finger swipe gesture; and, in response to detecting the finger drag gesture or the finger swipe gesture: scrolling the plurality of graphical objects such that the pointer object coincides with at least a portion of a first graphical object in the plurality of graphical objects; and playing respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the first graphical object. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a portable electronic device includes a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more processors, memory, and one or more programs; the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors and the one or more programs include instructions for performing the operations of any of the methods described above. In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on a portable electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory includes one or more of the elements displayed in any of the methods described above, which are updated in response to inputs, as described in any of the methods above. In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions which when executed by a portable electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to perform the operations of any of the methods described above. In accordance with some embodiments, a portable electronic device includes: a display, a touch-sensitive surface; and means for performing the operations of any of the methods described above. In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatus, for use in a portable electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, includes means for performing the operations of any of the methods described above. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display unit configured to display concurrently on the display unit a first predefined scrollable area and a second predefined scrollable area distinct from the first predefined scrollable area. The first predefined scrollable area includes a plurality of graphical objects. Each of the plurality of graphical objects represents a respective set of content items. The first predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll in a first direction. The second predefined scrollable area includes a list of content items. The second predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The electronic device also includes a touch-sensitive surface unit configured to receive gestures, and a processing unit coupled to the display unit and the touch-sensitive surface unit. The processing unit is configured to: detect a gesture that corresponds to selection of a first graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area; and, in response to detecting the gesture that corresponds to selection of the first graphical object, play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected first graphical object. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display unit configured to display concurrently on the display unit a pointer object and a predefined scrollable area. The predefined scrollable area includes a plurality of graphical objects. Each of the plurality of graphical objects represents a respective set of content items. The predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll in a first direction. The electronic device also includes a touch-sensitive surface unit configured to receive gestures, and a processing unit coupled to the display unit and the touch-sensitive surface unit. The processing unit is configured to: detect a finger drag gesture or a finger swipe gesture; and, in response to detecting the finger drag gesture or the finger swipe gesture: scroll the plurality of graphical objects such that the pointer object coincides with at least a portion of a first graphical object in the plurality of graphical objects, and play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the first graphical object. 
     Thus, portable electronic devices with displays and touch-sensitive surfaces are provided with faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for navigating and previewing content items, thereby increasing the effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction with such devices. Such methods and interfaces may complement or replace conventional methods for navigating and previewing content items. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the aforementioned embodiments of the invention as well as additional embodiments thereof, reference should be made to the Description of Embodiments below, in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures. 
         FIG. 1A  is a block diagram illustrating a portable multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 1B  is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for event handling in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a portable multifunction device having a touch screen in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3A  is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates an exemplary portable electronic device with a touch-screen in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates an exemplary user interface for a menu of applications on a portable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates an exemplary user interface for a multifunction device with a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the display in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 5A-5K  illustrate exemplary user interfaces for navigating and previewing content items in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 6A-6D  are flow diagrams illustrating a method of navigating and previewing content items in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 7A-7D  are flow diagrams illustrating a method of navigating and previewing content items in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a functional block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A user&#39;s media library may include many sets of content items, such as albums of songs. A user may wish to select a subset of that content for playback for a certain situation. Users often want to preview the different sets of content items, in order to make an informed selection. The embodiments described below provide an efficient way to navigate and preview content items. Graphical objects corresponding to sets of content items (e.g., album cover art corresponding to albums) are laid out in a scrollable area with a pointer object. Content items in the set corresponding to a graphical object that is aligned with the pointer object are previewed. The user may scroll the scrollable area to align different graphical objects with the pointer object, and thus quickly preview different sets of content items. 
     Below,  FIGS. 1A-1B ,  2 ,  3 A- 3 B, and  8  provide a description of exemplary devices.  FIGS. 4A-4B  and  5 A- 5 K illustrate exemplary user interfaces for navigating and previewing content items.  FIGS. 6A-6D  and  7 A- 7 D are flow diagrams illustrating methods of navigating and previewing content items. The user interfaces in  FIGS. 5A-5K  are used to illustrate the processes in  FIGS. 6A-6D  and  7 A- 7 D. 
     Exemplary Devices 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. 
     It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact. 
     The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context. 
     Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, and associated processes for using such devices are described. In some embodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as a mobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/or music player functions. Exemplary embodiments of portable multifunction devices include, without limitation, the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Other portable electronic devices, such as laptops or tablet computers with touch-sensitive surfaces (e.g., touch screen displays and/or touch pads), may also be used. It should also be understood that, in some embodiments, the device is not a portable communications device, but is a desktop computer with a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touch screen display and/or a touch pad). 
     In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes a display and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should be understood, however, that the electronic device may include one or more other physical user-interface devices, such as a physical keyboard, a mouse and/or a joystick. 
     The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one or more of the following: a drawing application, a presentation application, a word processing application, a website creation application, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet application, a gaming application, a telephone application, a video conferencing application, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, a workout support application, a photo management application, a digital camera application, a digital video camera application, a web browsing application, a digital music player application, and/or a digital video player application. 
     The various applications that may be executed on the device may use at least one common physical user-interface device, such as the touch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitive surface as well as corresponding information displayed on the device may be adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or within a respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture (such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the device may support the variety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive and transparent to the user. 
     Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices with touch-sensitive displays.  FIG. 1A  is a block diagram illustrating portable multifunction device  100  with touch-sensitive displays  112  in accordance with some embodiments. Touch-sensitive display  112  is sometimes called a “touch screen” for convenience, and may also be known as or called a touch-sensitive display system. Device  100  may include memory  102  (which may include one or more computer readable storage mediums), memory controller  122 , one or more processing units (CPU&#39;s)  120 , peripherals interface  118 , RF circuitry  108 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , microphone  113 , input/output (I/O) subsystem  106 , other input or control devices  116 , and external port  124 . Device  100  may include one or more optical sensors  164 . These components may communicate over one or more communication buses or signal lines  103 . 
     It should be appreciated that device  100  is only one example of a portable multifunction device, and that device  100  may have more or fewer components than shown, may combine two or more components, or may have a different configuration or arrangement of the components. The various components shown in  FIG. 1A  may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both hardware and software, including one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits. 
     Memory  102  may include high-speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memory devices. Access to memory  102  by other components of device  100 , such as CPU  120  and the peripherals interface  118 , may be controlled by memory controller  122 . 
     Peripherals interface  118  can be used to couple input and output peripherals of the device to CPU  120  and memory  102 . The one or more processors  120  run or execute various software programs and/or sets of instructions stored in memory  102  to perform various functions for device  100  and to process data. 
     In some embodiments, peripherals interface  118 , CPU  120 , and memory controller  122  may be implemented on a single chip, such as chip  104 . In some other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips. 
     RF (radio frequency) circuitry  108  receives and sends RF signals, also called electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry  108  converts electrical signals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates with communications networks and other communications devices via the electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry  108  may include well-known circuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited to an antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RF circuitry  108  may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, also referred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local area network (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and other devices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may use any of a plurality of communications standards, protocols and technologies, including but not limited to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol for e-mail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or post office protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messaging and Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or any other suitable communication protocol, including communication protocols not yet developed as of the filing date of this document. 
     Audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , and microphone  113  provide an audio interface between a user and device  100 . Audio circuitry  110  receives audio data from peripherals interface  118 , converts the audio data to an electrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker  111 . Speaker  111  converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves. Audio circuitry  110  also receives electrical signals converted by microphone  113  from sound waves. Audio circuitry  110  converts the electrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data to peripherals interface  118  for processing. Audio data may be retrieved from and/or transmitted to memory  102  and/or RF circuitry  108  by peripherals interface  118 . In some embodiments, audio circuitry  110  also includes a headset jack (e.g.,  212 ,  FIG. 2 ). The headset jack provides an interface between audio circuitry  110  and removable audio input/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headset with both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input (e.g., a microphone). 
     I/O subsystem  106  couples input/output peripherals on device  100 , such as touch screen  112  and other input control devices  116 , to peripherals interface  118 . I/O subsystem  106  may include display controller  156  and one or more input controllers  160  for other input or control devices. The one or more input controllers  160  receive/send electrical signals from/to other input or control devices  116 . The other input control devices  116  may include physical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rocker buttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, and so forth. In some alternate embodiments, input controller(s)  160  may be coupled to any (or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port, USB port, and a pointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons (e.g.,  208 ,  FIG. 2 ) may include an up/down button for volume control of speaker  111  and/or microphone  113 . The one or more buttons may include a push button (e.g.,  206 ,  FIG. 2 ). 
     Touch-sensitive display  112  provides an input interface and an output interface between the device and a user. Display controller  156  receives and/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen  112 . Touch screen  112  displays visual output to the user. The visual output may include graphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof (collectively termed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all of the visual output may correspond to user-interface objects. 
     Touch screen  112  has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensors that accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact. Touch screen  112  and display controller  156  (along with any associated modules and/or sets of instructions in memory  102 ) detect contact (and any movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen  112  and converts the detected contact into interaction with user-interface objects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages or images) that are displayed on touch screen  112 . In an exemplary embodiment, a point of contact between touch screen  112  and the user corresponds to a finger of the user. 
     Touch screen  112  may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD (light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emitting diode) technology, although other display technologies may be used in other embodiments. Touch screen  112  and display controller  156  may detect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of a plurality of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed, including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensor arrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contact with touch screen  112 . In an exemplary embodiment, projected mutual capacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. 
     Touch screen  112  may have a video resolution in excess of 100 dpi. In some embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolution of approximately 160 dpi. The user may make contact with touch screen  112  using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, and so forth. In some embodiments, the user interface is designed to work primarily with finger-based contacts and gestures, which can be less precise than stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of a finger on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translates the rough finger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position or command for performing the actions desired by the user. 
     In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device  100  may include a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particular functions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive area of the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visual output. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from touch screen  112  or an extension of the touch-sensitive surface formed by the touch screen. 
     Device  100  also includes power system  162  for powering the various components. Power system  162  may include a power management system, one or more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), a recharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converter or inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED)) and any other components associated with the generation, management and distribution of power in portable devices. 
     Device  100  may also include one or more optical sensors  164 .  FIG. 1A  shows an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor controller  158  in I/O subsystem  106 . Optical sensor  164  may include charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) phototransistors. Optical sensor  164  receives light from the environment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the light to data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module  143  (also called a camera module), optical sensor  164  may capture still images or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located on the back of device  100 , opposite touch screen display  112  on the front of the device, so that the touch screen display may be used as a viewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In some embodiments, another optical sensor is located on the front of the device so that the user&#39;s image may be obtained for videoconferencing while the user views the other video conference participants on the touch screen display. 
     Device  100  may also include one or more proximity sensors  166 .  FIG. 1A  shows proximity sensor  166  coupled to peripherals interface  118 . Alternately, proximity sensor  166  may be coupled to input controller  160  in I/O subsystem  106 . In some embodiments, the proximity sensor turns off and disables touch screen  112  when the multifunction device is placed near the user&#39;s ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call). 
     Device  100  may also include one or more accelerometers  168 .  FIG. 1A  shows accelerometer  168  coupled to peripherals interface  118 . Alternately, accelerometer  168  may be coupled to an input controller  160  in I/O subsystem  106 . In some embodiments, information is displayed on the touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscape view based on an analysis of data received from the one or more accelerometers. Device  100  optionally includes, in addition to accelerometer(s)  168 , a magnetometer (not shown) and a GPS (or GLONASS or other global navigation system) receiver (not shown) for obtaining information concerning the location and orientation (e.g., portrait or landscape) of device  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory  102  include operating system  126 , communication module (or set of instructions)  128 , contact/motion module (or set of instructions)  130 , graphics module (or set of instructions)  132 , text input module (or set of instructions)  134 , Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set of instructions)  135 , and applications (or sets of instructions)  136 . Furthermore, in some embodiments memory  102  stores device/global internal state  157 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 3 . Device/global internal state  157  includes one or more of: active application state, indicating which applications, if any, are currently active; display state, indicating what applications, views or other information occupy various regions of touch screen display  112 ; sensor state, including information obtained from the device&#39;s various sensors and input control devices  116 ; and location information concerning the device&#39;s location and/or attitude. 
     Operating system  126  (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includes various software components and/or drivers for controlling and managing general system tasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, power management, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardware and software components. 
     Communication module  128  facilitates communication with other devices over one or more external ports  124  and also includes various software components for handling data received by RF circuitry  108  and/or external port  124 . External port  124  (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices or indirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). In some embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin) connector that is the same as, or similar to and/or compatible with the 30-pin connector used on iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) devices. 
     Contact/motion module  130  may detect contact with touch screen  112  (in conjunction with display controller  156 ) and other touch sensitive devices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motion module  130  includes various software components for performing various operations related to detection of contact, such as determining if contact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determining if there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-dragging events), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting a finger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module  130  receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determining movement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series of contact data, may include determining speed (magnitude), velocity (magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitude and/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations may be applied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiple simultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). In some embodiments, contact/motion module  130  and display controller  156  detect contact on a touchpad. 
     Contact/motion module  130  may detect a gesture input by a user. Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contact patterns. Thus, a gesture may be detected by detecting a particular contact pattern. For example, detecting a finger tap gesture includes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting a finger-up (lift off) event at the same position (or substantially the same position) as the finger-down event (e.g., at the position of an icon). As another example, detecting a finger swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surface includes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting one or more finger-dragging events, and subsequently followed by detecting a finger-up (lift off) event. 
     Graphics module  132  includes various known software components for rendering and displaying graphics on touch screen  112  or other display, including components for changing the intensity of graphics that are displayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes any object that can be displayed to a user, including without limitation text, web pages, icons (such as user-interface objects including soft keys), digital images, videos, animations and the like. 
     In some embodiments, graphics module  132  stores data representing graphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code. Graphics module  132  receives, from applications etc., one or more codes specifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinate data and other graphic property data, and then generates screen image data to output to display controller  156 . 
     Text input module  134 , which may be a component of graphics module  132 , provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications (e.g., contacts  137 , e-mail  140 , IM  141 , browser  147 , and any other application that needs text input). 
     GPS module  135  determines the location of the device and provides this information for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone  138  for use in location-based dialing, to camera  143  as picture/video metadata, and to applications that provide location-based services such as weather widgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets). 
     Applications  136  may include the following modules (or sets of instructions), or a subset or superset thereof:
         contacts module  137  (sometimes called an address book or contact list);   telephone module  138 ;   video conferencing module  139 ;   e-mail client module  140 ;   instant messaging (IM) module  141 ;   workout support module  142 ;   camera module  143  for still and/or video images;   image management module  144 ;   browser module  147 ;   calendar module  148 ;   widget modules  149 , which may include one or more of: weather widget  149 - 1 , stocks widget  149 - 2 , calculator widget  149 - 3 , alarm clock widget  149 - 4 , dictionary widget  149 - 5 , and other widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets  149 - 6 ;   widget creator module  150  for making user-created widgets  149 - 6 ;   search module  151 ;   video and music player module  152 , which may be made up of a video player module and a music player module;   notes module  153 ;   map module  154 ; and/or   online video module  155 .       

     Examples of other applications  136  that may be stored in memory  102  include other word processing applications, other image editing applications, drawing applications, presentation applications, JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voice recognition, and voice replication. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , contacts module  137  may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g., stored in application internal state  192  of contacts module  137  in memory  102  or memory  370 ), including: adding name(s) to the address book; deleting name(s) from the address book; associating telephone number(s), e-mail address(es), physical address(es) or other information with a name; associating an image with a name; categorizing and sorting names; providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiate and/or facilitate communications by telephone  138 , video conference  139 , e-mail  140 , or IM  141 ; and so forth. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , microphone  113 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , telephone module  138  may be used to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to a telephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in address book  137 , modify a telephone number that has been entered, dial a respective telephone number, conduct a conversation and disconnect or hang up when the conversation is completed. As noted above, the wireless communication may use any of a plurality of communications standards, protocols and technologies. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , microphone  113 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , optical sensor  164 , optical sensor controller  158 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , contact list  137 , and telephone module  138 , videoconferencing module  139  includes executable instructions to initiate, conduct, and terminate a video conference between a user and one or more other participants in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , e-mail client module  140  includes executable instructions to create, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to user instructions. In conjunction with image management module  144 , e-mail client module  140  makes it very easy to create and send e-mails with still or video images taken with camera module  143 . 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , the instant messaging module  141  includes executable instructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to an instant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit a respective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-based instant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-based instant messages), to receive instant messages and to view received instant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or received instant messages may include graphics, photos, audio files, video files and/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers to both telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) and Internet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS). 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , GPS module  135 , map module  154 , and music player module  146 , workout support module  142  includes executable instructions to create workouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burning goals); communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receive workout sensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; select and play music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workout data. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , optical sensor(s)  164 , optical sensor controller  158 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and image management module  144 , camera module  143  includes executable instructions to capture still images or video (including a video stream) and store them into memory  102 , modify characteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image or video from memory  102 . 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , and camera module  143 , image management module  144  includes executable instructions to arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate, label, delete, present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), and store still and/or video images. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , browser module  147  includes executable instructions to browse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, including searching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages or portions thereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web pages. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , e-mail client module  140 , and browser module  147 , calendar module  148  includes executable instructions to create, display, modify, and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendar entries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , and browser module  147 , widget modules  149  are mini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g., weather widget  149 - 1 , stocks widget  149 - 2 , calculator widget  149 - 3 , alarm clock widget  149 - 4 , and dictionary widget  149 - 5 ) or created by the user (e.g., user-created widget  149 - 6 ). In some embodiments, a widget includes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In some embodiments, a widget includes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript file (e.g., Yahoo! Widgets). 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , and browser module  147 , the widget creator module  150  may be used by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specified portion of a web page into a widget). 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , search module  151  includes executable instructions to search for text, music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory  102  that match one or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified search terms) in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , RF circuitry  108 , and browser module  147 , video and music player module  152  includes executable instructions that allow the user to download and play back recorded music and other sound files stored in one or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, and executable instructions to display, present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., on touch screen  112  or on an external, connected display via external port  124 ). In some embodiments, device  100  may include the functionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.). 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , notes module  153  includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to do lists, and the like in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , GPS module  135 , and browser module  147 , map module  154  may be used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and data associated with maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and other points of interest at or near a particular location; and other location-based data) in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , RF circuitry  108 , text input module  134 , e-mail client module  140 , and browser module  147 , online video module  155  includes instructions that allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., by streaming and/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or on an external, connected display via external port  124 ), send an e-mail with a link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage online videos in one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instant messaging module  141 , rather than e-mail client module  140 , is used to send a link to a particular online video. 
     Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to a set of executable instructions for performing one or more functions described above and the methods described in this application (e.g., the computer-implemented methods and other information processing methods described herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory  102  may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory  102  may store additional modules and data structures not described above. 
     In some embodiments, device  100  is a device where operation of a predefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusively through a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/or a touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device  100 , the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons, dials, and the like) on device  100  may be reduced. 
     The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusively through a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between user interfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user, navigates device  100  to a main, home, or root menu from any user interface that may be displayed on device  100 . In such embodiments, the touchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In some other embodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button or other physical input control device instead of a touchpad. 
       FIG. 1B  is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for event handling in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, memory  102  (in  FIG. 1A ) or  370  ( FIG. 3 ) includes event sorter  170  (e.g., in operating system  126 ) and a respective application  136 - 1  (e.g., any of the aforementioned applications  137 - 151 ,  155 ,  380 - 390 ). 
     Event sorter  170  receives event information and determines the application  136 - 1  and application view  191  of application  136 - 1  to which to deliver the event information. Event sorter  170  includes event monitor  171  and event dispatcher module  174 . In some embodiments, application  136 - 1  includes application internal state  192 , which indicates the current application view(s) displayed on touch sensitive display  112  when the application is active or executing. In some embodiments, device/global internal state  157  is used by event sorter  170  to determine which application(s) is (are) currently active, and application internal state  192  is used by event sorter  170  to determine application views  191  to which to deliver event information. 
     In some embodiments, application internal state  192  includes additional information, such as one or more of: resume information to be used when application  136 - 1  resumes execution, user interface state information that indicates information being displayed or that is ready for display by application  136 - 1 , a state queue for enabling the user to go back to a prior state or view of application  136 - 1 , and a redo/undo queue of previous actions taken by the user. 
     Event monitor  171  receives event information from peripherals interface  118 . Event information includes information about a sub-event (e.g., a user touch on touch-sensitive display  112 , as part of a multi-touch gesture). Peripherals interface  118  transmits information it receives from I/O subsystem  106  or a sensor, such as proximity sensor  166 , accelerometer(s)  168 , and/or microphone  113  (through audio circuitry  110 ). Information that peripherals interface  118  receives from I/O subsystem  106  includes information from touch-sensitive display  112  or a touch-sensitive surface. 
     In some embodiments, event monitor  171  sends requests to the peripherals interface  118  at predetermined intervals. In response, peripherals interface  118  transmits event information. In other embodiments, peripheral interface  118  transmits event information only when there is a significant event (e.g., receiving an input above a predetermined noise threshold and/or for more than a predetermined duration). 
     In some embodiments, event sorter  170  also includes a hit view determination module  172  and/or an active event recognizer determination module  173 . 
     Hit view determination module  172  provides software procedures for determining where a sub-event has taken place within one or more views, when touch sensitive display  112  displays more than one view. Views are made up of controls and other elements that a user can see on the display. 
     Another aspect of the user interface associated with an application is a set of views, sometimes herein called application views or user interface windows, in which information is displayed and touch-based gestures occur. The application views (of a respective application) in which a touch is detected may correspond to programmatic levels within a programmatic or view hierarchy of the application. For example, the lowest level view in which a touch is detected may be called the hit view, and the set of events that are recognized as proper inputs may be determined based, at least in part, on the hit view of the initial touch that begins a touch-based gesture. 
     Hit view determination module  172  receives information related to sub-events of a touch-based gesture. When an application has multiple views organized in a hierarchy, hit view determination module  172  identifies a hit view as the lowest view in the hierarchy which should handle the sub-event. In most circumstances, the hit view is the lowest level view in which an initiating sub-event occurs (i.e., the first sub-event in the sequence of sub-events that form an event or potential event). Once the hit view is identified by the hit view determination module, the hit view typically receives all sub-events related to the same touch or input source for which it was identified as the hit view. 
     Active event recognizer determination module  173  determines which view or views within a view hierarchy should receive a particular sequence of sub-events. In some embodiments, active event recognizer determination module  173  determines that only the hit view should receive a particular sequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, active event recognizer determination module  173  determines that all views that include the physical location of a sub-event are actively involved views, and therefore determines that all actively involved views should receive a particular sequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, even if touch sub-events were entirely confined to the area associated with one particular view, views higher in the hierarchy would still remain as actively involved views. 
     Event dispatcher module  174  dispatches the event information to an event recognizer (e.g., event recognizer  180 ). In embodiments including active event recognizer determination module  173 , event dispatcher module  174  delivers the event information to an event recognizer determined by active event recognizer determination module  173 . In some embodiments, event dispatcher module  174  stores in an event queue the event information, which is retrieved by a respective event receiver module  182 . 
     In some embodiments, operating system  126  includes event sorter  170 . Alternatively, application  136 - 1  includes event sorter  170 . In yet other embodiments, event sorter  170  is a stand-alone module, or a part of another module stored in memory  102 , such as contact/motion module  130 . 
     In some embodiments, application  136 - 1  includes a plurality of event handlers  190  and one or more application views  191 , each of which includes instructions for handling touch events that occur within a respective view of the application&#39;s user interface. Each application view  191  of the application  136 - 1  includes one or more event recognizers  180 . Typically, a respective application view  191  includes a plurality of event recognizers  180 . In other embodiments, one or more of event recognizers  180  are part of a separate module, such as a user interface kit (not shown) or a higher level object from which application  136 - 1  inherits methods and other properties. In some embodiments, a respective event handler  190  includes one or more of: data updater  176 , object updater  177 , GUI updater  178 , and/or event data  179  received from event sorter  170 . Event handler  190  may utilize or call data updater  176 , object updater  177  or GUI updater  178  to update the application internal state  192 . Alternatively, one or more of the application views  191  includes one or more respective event handlers  190 . Also, in some embodiments, one or more of data updater  176 , object updater  177 , and GUI updater  178  are included in a respective application view  191 . 
     A respective event recognizer  180  receives event information (e.g., event data  179 ) from event sorter  170 , and identifies an event from the event information. Event recognizer  180  includes event receiver  182  and event comparator  184 . In some embodiments, event recognizer  180  also includes at least a subset of: metadata  183 , and event delivery instructions  188  (which may include sub-event delivery instructions). 
     Event receiver  182  receives event information from event sorter  170 . The event information includes information about a sub-event, for example, a touch or a touch movement. Depending on the sub-event, the event information also includes additional information, such as location of the sub-event. When the sub-event concerns motion of a touch the event information may also include speed and direction of the sub-event. In some embodiments, events include rotation of the device from one orientation to another (e.g., from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation, or vice versa), and the event information includes corresponding information about the current orientation (also called device attitude) of the device. 
     Event comparator  184  compares the event information to predefined event or sub-event definitions and, based on the comparison, determines an event or sub-event, or determines or updates the state of an event or sub-event. In some embodiments, event comparator  184  includes event definitions  186 . Event definitions  186  contain definitions of events (e.g., predefined sequences of sub-events), for example, event  1  ( 187 - 1 ), event  2  ( 187 - 2 ), and others. In some embodiments, sub-events in an event  187  include, for example, touch begin, touch end, touch movement, touch cancellation, and multiple touching. In one example, the definition for event  1  ( 187 - 1 ) is a double tap on a displayed object. The double tap, for example, comprises a first touch (touch begin) on the displayed object for a predetermined phase, a first lift-off (touch end) for a predetermined phase, a second touch (touch begin) on the displayed object for a predetermined phase, and a second lift-off (touch end) for a predetermined phase. In another example, the definition for event  2  ( 187 - 2 ) is a dragging on a displayed object. The dragging, for example, comprises a touch (or contact) on the displayed object for a predetermined phase, a movement of the touch across touch-sensitive display  112 , and lift-off of the touch (touch end). In some embodiments, the event also includes information for one or more associated event handlers  190 . 
     In some embodiments, event definition  187  includes a definition of an event for a respective user-interface object. In some embodiments, event comparator  184  performs a hit test to determine which user-interface object is associated with a sub-event. For example, in an application view in which three user-interface objects are displayed on touch-sensitive display  112 , when a touch is detected on touch-sensitive display  112 , event comparator  184  performs a hit test to determine which of the three user-interface objects is associated with the touch (sub-event). If each displayed object is associated with a respective event handler  190 , the event comparator uses the result of the hit test to determine which event handler  190  should be activated. For example, event comparator  184  selects an event handler associated with the sub-event and the object triggering the hit test. 
     In some embodiments, the definition for a respective event  187  also includes delayed actions that delay delivery of the event information until after it has been determined whether the sequence of sub-events does or does not correspond to the event recognizer&#39;s event type. 
     When a respective event recognizer  180  determines that the series of sub-events do not match any of the events in event definitions  186 , the respective event recognizer  180  enters an event impossible, event failed, or event ended state, after which it disregards subsequent sub-events of the touch-based gesture. In this situation, other event recognizers, if any, that remain active for the hit view continue to track and process sub-events of an ongoing touch-based gesture. 
     In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer  180  includes metadata  183  with configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate how the event delivery system should perform sub-event delivery to actively involved event recognizers. In some embodiments, metadata  183  includes configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate how event recognizers may interact with one another. In some embodiments, metadata  183  includes configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate whether sub-events are delivered to varying levels in the view or programmatic hierarchy. 
     In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer  180  activates event handler  190  associated with an event when one or more particular sub-events of an event are recognized. In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer  180  delivers event information associated with the event to event handler  190 . Activating an event handler  190  is distinct from sending (and deferred sending) sub-events to a respective hit view. In some embodiments, event recognizer  180  throws a flag associated with the recognized event, and event handler  190  associated with the flag catches the flag and performs a predefined process. 
     In some embodiments, event delivery instructions  188  include sub-event delivery instructions that deliver event information about a sub-event without activating an event handler. Instead, the sub-event delivery instructions deliver event information to event handlers associated with the series of sub-events or to actively involved views. Event handlers associated with the series of sub-events or with actively involved views receive the event information and perform a predetermined process. 
     In some embodiments, data updater  176  creates and updates data used in application  136 - 1 . For example, data updater  176  updates the telephone number used in contacts module  137 , or stores a video file used in video player module  145 . In some embodiments, object updater  177  creates and updates objects used in application  136 - 1 . For example, object updater  176  creates a new user-interface object or updates the position of a user-interface object. GUI updater  178  updates the GUI. For example, GUI updater  178  prepares display information and sends it to graphics module  132  for display on a touch-sensitive display. 
     In some embodiments, event handler(s)  190  includes or has access to data updater  176 , object updater  177 , and GUI updater  178 . In some embodiments, data updater  176 , object updater  177 , and GUI updater  178  are included in a single module of a respective application  136 - 1  or application view  191 . In other embodiments, they are included in two or more software modules. 
     It shall be understood that the foregoing discussion regarding event handling of user touches on touch-sensitive displays also applies to other forms of user inputs to operate multifunction devices  100  with input-devices, not all of which are initiated on touch screens, e.g., coordinating mouse movement and mouse button presses with or without single or multiple keyboard presses or holds, user movements taps, drags, scrolls, etc., on touch-pads, pen stylus inputs, movement of the device, oral instructions, detected eye movements, biometric inputs, and/or any combination thereof, which may be utilized as inputs corresponding to sub-events which define an event to be recognized. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a portable multifunction device  100  having a touch screen  112  in accordance with some embodiments. The touch screen may display one or more graphics within user interface (UI)  200 . In this embodiment, as well as others described below, a user may select one or more of the graphics by making a gesture on the graphics, for example, with one or more fingers  202  (not drawn to scale in the figure) or one or more styluses  203  (not drawn to scale in the figure). In some embodiments, selection of one or more graphics occurs when the user breaks contact with the one or more graphics. In some embodiments, the gesture may include one or more taps, one or more swipes (from left to right, right to left, upward and/or downward) and/or a rolling of a finger (from right to left, left to right, upward and/or downward) that has made contact with device  100 . In some embodiments, inadvertent contact with a graphic may not select the graphic. For example, a swipe gesture that sweeps over an application icon may not select the corresponding application when the gesture corresponding to selection is a tap. 
     Device  100  may also include one or more physical buttons, such as “home” or menu button  204 . As described previously, menu button  204  may be used to navigate to any application  136  in a set of applications that may be executed on device  100 . Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menu button is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touch screen  112 . 
     In one embodiment, device  100  includes touch screen  112 , menu button  204 , push button  206  for powering the device on/off and locking the device, volume adjustment button(s)  208 , Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card slot  210 , head set jack  212 , and docking/charging external port  124 . Push button  206  may be used to turn the power on/off on the device by depressing the button and holding the button in the depressed state for a predefined time interval; to lock the device by depressing the button and releasing the button before the predefined time interval has elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process. In an alternative embodiment, device  100  also may accept verbal input for activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone  113 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with some embodiments. Device  300  need not be portable. In some embodiments, device  300  is a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a multimedia player device, a navigation device, an educational device (such as a child&#39;s learning toy), a gaming system, or a control device (e.g., a home or industrial controller). Device  300  typically includes one or more processing units (CPU&#39;s)  310 , one or more network or other communications interfaces  360 , memory  370 , and one or more communication buses  320  for interconnecting these components. Communication buses  320  may include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controls communications between system components. Device  300  includes input/output (I/O) interface  330  comprising display  340 , which is typically a touch screen display. I/O interface  330  also may include a keyboard and/or mouse (or other pointing device)  350  and touchpad  355 . Memory  370  includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM or other random access solid state memory devices; and may include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices. Memory  370  may optionally include one or more storage devices remotely located from CPU(s)  310 . In some embodiments, memory  370  stores programs, modules, and data structures analogous to the programs, modules, and data structures stored in memory  102  of portable multifunction device  100  ( FIG. 1 ), or a subset thereof. Furthermore, memory  370  may store additional programs, modules, and data structures not present in memory  102  of portable multifunction device  100 . For example, memory  370  of device  300  may store drawing module  380 , presentation module  382 , word processing module  384 , website creation module  386 , disk authoring module  388 , and/or spreadsheet module  390 , while memory  102  of portable multifunction device  100  ( FIG. 1 ) may not store these modules. 
     Each of the above identified elements in  FIG. 3  may be stored in one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices. Each of the above identified modules corresponds to a set of instructions for performing a function described above. The above identified modules or programs (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory  370  may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory  370  may store additional modules and data structures not described above. 
     Though electronic device  300  is depicted as a multifunction device including I/O interface  330  that incorporates keyboard/mouse  350  and touchpad  355 , in some embodiments, electronic device  300 - 1 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3B , is a portable electronic device that uses touch-screen  112  without a keyboard, mouse, or independent touchpad. In some embodiments, device  300  is a portable electronic device with touch-screen  112 , and is used principally as a portable media player. 
     For example, portable electronic device  300 - 1  includes touch-screen  112  with width  112 - w  and height  112 - h , which in this example are both 2 inches. User&#39;s thumb  399 , shown superimposed on touch-screen  112 , is approximately half the width  112 - w  or height  112 - h  of touch-screen  112 . 
     Thus, in some portable media player embodiments, touch-screen  112  may have physical dimensions of 2 inches or less in width and/or height. In some portable media player embodiments, touch-screen  112  may have a screen resolution of 600 pixels or less in width and/or height. In some portable media player embodiments, touch-screen  112  may have a screen resolution of 900 pixels or less in width and/or height. In some portable media player embodiments, touch-screen  112  may have a screen resolution of 1200 pixels or less in width and/or height. 
     In some embodiments, memory  370  may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. In some portable media player embodiments, electronic device  300 - 1  may be a smaller physical device, and typically would not include certain of the module, data structures, and applications identified above that would be used in full-featured portable multifunction devices, e.g., as a portable electronic device  300 - 1  with touch-screen  112 , one or more of the following may not be included: telephone module  138 , chart module  144 , drawing module  380 , presentation module  382 , word processing module  384 , website creation module  386 , and disk authoring module  388 . 
     Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”) that may be implemented on portable multifunction device  100 . 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates an exemplary user interface for a menu of applications on portable multifunction device  100  in accordance with some embodiments. Similar user interfaces may be implemented on device  300 . In some embodiments, user interface  400  includes the following elements, or a subset or superset thereof:
         Signal strength indicator(s)  402  for wireless communication(s), such as cellular and Wi-Fi signals;   Time  404 ;   Bluetooth indicator  405 ;   Battery status indicator  406 ;   Tray  408  with icons for frequently used applications, such as:
           Phone  138 , which may include an indicator  414  of the number of missed calls or voicemail messages;   E-mail client  140 , which may include an indicator  410  of the number of unread e-mails;   Browser  147 ; and   Video and music player  152 , also referred to as iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) module  152 ; and   
           Icons for other applications, such as:
           IM  141 ;   Image management  144 ;   Camera  143 ;   Weather  149 - 1 ;   Stocks  149 - 2 ;   Workout support  142 ;   Calendar  148 ;   Alarm clock  149 - 4 ;   Map  154 ;   Notes  153 ;   Settings  412 , which provides access to settings for device  100  and its various applications  136 ; and   Online video module  155 , also referred to as YouTube (trademark of Google Inc.) module  155 .   
               

       FIG. 4B  illustrates an exemplary user interface on a device (e.g., device  300 ,  FIG. 3 ) with a touch-sensitive surface  451  (e.g., a tablet or touchpad  355 ,  FIG. 3 ) that is separate from the display  450  (e.g., touch screen display  112 ). Although many of the examples which follow will be given with reference to inputs on touch screen display  112  (where the touch sensitive surface and the display are combined), in some embodiments, the device detects inputs on a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the display, as shown in  FIG. 4B . In some embodiments the touch sensitive surface (e.g.,  451  in  FIG. 4B ) has a primary axis (e.g.,  452  in  FIG. 4B ) that corresponds to a primary axis (e.g.,  453  in  FIG. 4B ) on the display (e.g.,  450 ). In accordance with these embodiments, the device detects contacts (e.g.,  460  and  462  in  FIG. 4B ) with the touch-sensitive surface  451  at locations that correspond to respective locations on the display (e.g., in  FIG. 4B ,  460  corresponds to  468  and  462  corresponds to  470 ). In this way, user inputs (e.g., contacts  460  and  462 , and movements thereof) detected by the device on the touch-sensitive surface (e.g.,  451  in  FIG. 4B ) are used by the device to manipulate the user interface on the display (e.g.,  450  in  FIG. 4B ) of the multifunction device when the touch-sensitive surface is separate from the display. It should be understood that similar methods may be used for other user interfaces described herein. 
     Additionally, while the following examples are given primarily with reference to finger inputs (e.g., finger contacts, finger tap gestures, finger swipe gestures), it should be understood that, in some embodiments, one or more of the finger inputs are replaced with input from another input device (e.g., a mouse based input, click wheel input, or stylus input). For example, a swipe gesture may be replaced with a mouse click (e.g., instead of a contact) followed by movement of the cursor along the path of the swipe (e.g., instead of movement of the contact). As another example, a tap gesture may be replaced with a mouse click while the cursor is located over the location of the tap gesture (e.g., instead of detection of the contact followed by ceasing to detect the contact). Similarly, when multiple user inputs are simultaneously detected, it should be understood that multiple computer mice may be used simultaneously, or a mouse and finger contacts may be used simultaneously. 
     User Interfaces and Associated Processes 
     Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”) and associated processes that may be implemented on an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, such as device  300 - 1  or portable multifunction device  100 . 
       FIGS. 5A-5K  illustrate exemplary user interfaces for navigating and previewing content items in accordance with some embodiments. The user interfaces in these figures are used to illustrate the processes described below, including the processes in  FIGS. 6A-6D  and  7 A- 7 D. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates content application interface  500  displayed on touch screen  112  of device  100 . Content application interface  500  may be a part of a content (e.g., digital media) management and/or playback application, such as video and music player module  152 . Content application interface  500  includes playback controls  502  and content items list  504 . 
     Playback controls  502  include virtual buttons and other user interface elements for controlling playback of content items. For example, playback controls may include a play/pause button, forward and backward buttons, and a progress bar with progress indicator. Playback controls  502  may also display information (e.g., title, artist, album, etc.) of the content item being played. 
     Content items list  504  lists one or more content items  506  and display information about content items  506 . The information that may be displayed about content items  506  include, for example, title, artist, album, composer, genre, and so on. Content items list  504  is scrollable along axis  505  to reveal content items  506  that are out of view. Content items list  504  may be scrolled along axis  505  in accordance with a gesture (e.g., drag or swipe gesture) moving parallel to axis  505  that is detected on content items list  504 . For example, a gesture similar to gesture  508  moving in direction  510  scrolls content items list  504  toward the top (i.e., moves list  504  downward so that items nearer to the top of list  504  are displayed). 
     When list  504  has been scrolled to its top, gesture  508 , moving in direction  510 , is detected on touch screen  112  in content items list  504 . In some embodiments, gesture  508  is a finger drag or finger swipe gesture. In response to the detection of gesture  508  when list  504  has been scrolled to its top, content preview area  512  is displayed ( FIG. 5B ). In some embodiments, content preview area  512  is adjacent to content items list  504 . 
     Content preview area  512  includes one or more graphical objects  514 . Each graphical object  514  represents a respective set of content items. The sets of content items may be content items organized by album, artist, genre, or playlist membership. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5C , graphical object  514 - 4  represents a set of content items that include content items  506 -A thru  506 -F and  506 - 16 . Graphical object  514 - 2  represents another set of content items that include content items  506 -H thru  506 -N. The content items in the sets represented by graphical objects  514  are included in content items list  504 . 
     Graphical objects  514  identify the albums, artists, genres, or playlists to which the sets of content items belong. For example, if graphical objects  514  represent albums, graphical objects  514  may be album cover or album art images, or another album identifier (e.g., album name). For example, if graphical objects  514 - 4  and  514 - 2  are album cover images, as illustrated in  FIG. 5C , then the set of content items that include items  506 -A thru  506 -F and  506 - 16  is an album corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4  (hereinafter “Album 16”), and the set of content items that include items  506 -H thru  506 -N is an album corresponding to graphical object  514 - 2  (hereinafter “Album A”). If graphical objects  514  represent artists, graphical objects  514  may be artist photos and, if an artist photo is not available, the artist name. If graphical objects  514  represent genres, graphical objects  514  may be names and/or icons corresponding to respective genres. If graphical objects  514  represent playlists, graphical objects  514  may be playlist names. 
     Graphical objects  514  may be displayed in a single row in content preview area  512 , as shown in  FIG. 5B . Content preview area  512  may be scrollable. Thus, for example, if there are more graphical objects  514  than can be displayed at once, content preview area  512  may be scrolled to reveal graphical objects  514  that were not displayed. In some embodiments, scrolling axis  518  of content preview area  512  is orthogonal to scrolling axis  505  of content items list  504  ( FIG. 5B ). 
     Pointer object  516  is displayed in content preview area  512  concurrently with graphical objects  514 . Pointer object  516  may be displayed at a fixed position (e.g., at the center of content preview area  512 ). 
     Content preview area  512  may be scrolled by a gesture. In some embodiments, the gesture is a gesture in content preview area  512  moving parallel to axis  518  (e.g., gesture  520  moving in direction  522 ,  FIG. 5B ). In some other embodiments, the gesture is a gesture in either content preview area  512  or in content items list  504  moving parallel to axis  518  (e.g., gesture  524  moving in direction  526 ,  FIG. 5B ). When content preview area  512  is scrolled, pointer object  516  may be aligned with a respective graphical object  514 , or at least a portion of that object. For example, in  FIG. 5B , pointer object  516  is aligned with graphical object  514 - 4 . When pointer object  516  is moved into alignment with graphical object  514 - 4  (e.g., in response to a gesture to scroll content preview area  512 ), graphical object  514 - 4  is selected. When graphical object  514 - 4  is selected, respective portions of content items in Album 16 may be played. For example, a portion of Song A  506 -A is played. Then, respective portions of Song B  506 -B, Song C  506 -C, and so on through Album 16 are played. 
     In response to gesture  520  or  524 , content preview area  512  is scrolled, and different graphical objects  514  may be aligned with pointer object  516  as a result. For example, in  FIG. 5D , graphical object  514 - 2  is scrolled into alignment with pointer object  516  in response to gesture  520 . In response to graphical object  514 - 2  being aligned with pointer object  516 , respective portions of content items in Album A (e.g., content items  506 -H thru  506 -N) are played. 
     In some embodiments, playing respective portions of content items in a set of content items corresponding to a graphical object  514  involves playing each respective item for a predefined duration (e.g., 30 seconds, 60 seconds, or 90 seconds) from a starting location in the respective item. In some embodiments, the starting location is predefined (e.g., the beginning of the item, the quarter point in the item, or the halfway point in the item). 
     In some embodiments, when portions of multiple content items in a set of content items are played (e.g., items  506 -A,  506 -B, etc.), the order in which the items are played corresponds to the order of the items within the set of items (e.g., album track order or a playlist order). In some other embodiments, the order in which the items are played is a shuffled (random) order. 
     In some embodiments, when respective portions of all the content items in a set of content items are played, the playback stops. In some other embodiments, the playback loops; the portion of the first item is played again, then the portion of the second item, and so on. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , graphical object  514 - 4  is aligned with pointer object  516 , and a portion of a content item in Album 16 is playing (due to the alignment), when gesture  520  (or gesture  524 ) is detected. In response to the detection of gesture  520  (or gesture  524 ), content preview area  512  is scrolled. In some embodiments, while content preview area  512  is scrolling and pointer object  516  continues to be aligned with graphical object  514 - 4 , the portion of the content item that is playing prior to the scrolling ceases to be played, and portions of other content items in Album 16 are played. While content preview item  512  continues scrolling and another graphical object  514  comes into alignment with pointer object  516 , portions of content items in the set of content items corresponding to the newly aligned graphical object  514  are played. For example, in  FIGS. 5B and 5D , as content preview area  512  scrolls from aligning graphical object  514 - 4  with pointer object  516  to aligning graphical object  514 - 2  with pointer object  516 , graphical object  514 - 3  comes into alignment with pointer object  516  during the scrolling. In response, portions of content items in the set of content items corresponding to graphical object  514 - 3  are played. 
     Thus, content preview area  512  operates in some respects like an analog radio tuner dial. Pointer object  516  is analogous to a marker, on the tuner, of the radio channel being received. As content preview area  512  is scrolled, pointer object  516  comes into alignment with different graphical objects  514 , and content items in sets of content items corresponding to those graphical objects  514  are previewed. 
       FIG. 5E  illustrates graphical object  514 - 4  aligned with pointer object  516  in content preview area  512 ; a portion of a content item (e.g., Song A  506 -A,  FIG. 5C ) in Album 16 is playing. Gesture  544  (e.g., a tap gesture) is detected on pointer object  516  (and on graphical object  514 - 4 ). In response to the detection of gesture  544 , the content item the portion of which was playing prior to gesture  544  is played in its entirety, as shown in  FIG. 5F  where playback controls  502  shows Song A (i.e., Song A  506 -A) as being played in its entirety. 
       FIG. 5F  illustrates gesture  546  starting from content preview area  546  and moving in direction  548  orthogonal to axis  518 . In some embodiments, gesture  546  is a finger drag or finger swipe gesture. In response to the detection of gesture  546 , content preview area  512  is expanded from a single row of graphical objects  514  to multiple rows of graphical objects  514 , as shown in  FIGS. 5G-5H .  FIG. 5G  shows an instant in the transition of content preview area  512  from the single row to the multi-row array shown in  FIG. 5H . The multiple rows of graphical objects  514  form an array of graphical objects  514 . The array of graphical objects  514  may hide content items list  504  completely, as shown in  FIG. 5H . 
       FIG. 5H  illustrates gesture  552  detected on graphical object  514 - 2  while content preview area  512  is in the multi-row size. In response to the detection of gesture  552 , one or more respective portions of content items in Album A (i.e., content items  506 -H thru  506 -N,  FIG. 5C ) are played. 
       FIG. 5I  illustrates content preview area  512  with a pointer object  556  that is outside of and adjacent to content preview area  512 , unlike pointer object  516  that is in, or at least overlaps, content preview area  512 .  FIG. 5I  also illustrates gesture  554  detected on Song 5  506 - 5  in content items list  504 . In response to the detection of gesture  544 , Song 5  506 - 5  is played. For example, playback controls  502  in  FIG. 5J  shows Song 5 displayed as the content item being played (in its entirety). 
       FIG. 5K  illustrates a variant content application interface  557 . Content application interface  557  includes playback controls  502  and content preview area  558 . Content preview area  558  includes genre identifiers  560  (e.g., blues, classical, etc.), pointer object  516 , and hash marks  561  corresponding to respective genre identifiers  560 . In some embodiments, hash marks  561  correspond to individual sets of content items (e.g., albums) under a respective genre identifier  560 . Content preview area  558  may be scrolled parallel to axis  518 , as with content preview area  512 , to bring a hash mark  561  corresponding to a set of content items into alignment with pointer object  516 . Album art  562  and album information  564  corresponding to the album corresponding to the hash mark in alignment with pointer object  516  is displayed in content application interface  557  as well. As different album covers for other albums are displayed in place of album cover  562 , the album covers may scroll parallel to axis  518 . 
       FIGS. 6A-6D  are flow diagrams illustrating a method  600  of navigating and previewing content items in accordance with some embodiments. The method  600  is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device  300 ,  FIG. 3A , device  300 - 1 ,  FIG. 3B , or portable multifunction device  100 ,  FIG. 1 ) with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the display is a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method  600  may be combined and/or the order of some operations may be changed. 
     As described below, the method  600  provides an intuitive way to preview content items. The method reduces the cognitive burden on a user when navigating and previewing content items, thereby creating a more efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated electronic devices, enabling a user to navigate and preview content items faster and more efficiently conserves power and increases the time between battery charges. 
     The device displays ( 602 ) concurrently on the display a first predefined scrollable area ( 604 ) and a second predefined scrollable area ( 612 ) distinct from the first predefined scrollable area. The first predefined scrollable area includes a plurality of graphical objects. Each of the plurality of graphical objects represents a respective set of content items. The first predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll in a first direction (e.g., horizontally, from left to right and from right to left). The second predefined scrollable area includes a list of content items. The second predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction (e.g., vertically, from top to bottom and from bottom to top). 
     For example, in  FIG. 5B , content preview area  512  (the first predefined scrollable area) and content items list  504  (the second predefined scrollable area) are displayed concurrently. Content preview area  512  includes graphical objects  514 . Each graphical object  514  represents a respective set of content items  506 . Content preview area  512  is scrollable parallel to axis  518 . Content items list  504  includes a list of content items  506  and is scrollable parallel to axis  505 , which is orthogonal to axis  518 . 
     In some embodiments, the graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area are displayed in a single row ( 606 ). In  FIG. 5B , for example, graphical objects  514  are displayed in a single row in content preview area  512 . 
     In some embodiments, the graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area are digital images, genre identifiers (e.g., for music genres or movie genres), artist identifiers, album identifiers (e.g., album art), or playlist identifiers ( 608 ). For example, in  FIG. 5B , graphical objects  514  displayed in content preview area  512  may be album cover or album art images. As another example, in  FIG. 5K , genre identifiers  560  are displayed in content preview area  558 . 
     In some embodiments, a respective set of content items is an album, and the respective graphical object representing the respective set of content items is album art associated with the album ( 610 ). For example, the sets of content items corresponding to graphical objects  514  are albums, and graphical objects  514  are the corresponding album cover or album art images. 
     In some embodiments, the first predefined scrollable area is displayed in response to detecting a scrolling gesture on the second predefined scrollable area (e.g., detecting a vertically downward finger drag gesture that scrolls the list of content items to (or beyond) the top of the list of content items) ( 614 ). For example, content preview area  512  is displayed in response to the detection of gesture  508  scrolling content items list  504 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A-5B . 
     In some embodiments, the first predefined scrollable area is adjacent to the second predefined scrollable area ( 616 ). For example, in  FIG. 5B , content preview area  512  is adjacent to content items list  504 . 
     In some embodiments, the list of content items in the second predefined scrollable area includes the content items in the sets of content items represented by the plurality of graphical objects ( 618 ). For example, content items list  504  in  FIG. 5A  includes Song 16  506 - 16 , which is also in the set of content items (Album 16) corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4 , as shown in  FIG. 5C . 
     The device detects ( 620 ) a gesture that corresponds to selection of a first graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area. For example, in response to a scrolling gesture (not shown) scrolling content preview area  512 , graphical object  514 - 4  is selected by aligning graphical object  514 - 4  with pointer object  516 . 
     In some embodiments, the gesture that corresponds to selection of the first graphical object is a finger drag gesture or a finger swipe gesture that scrolls the plurality of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area ( 622 ). In some embodiments, a horizontal finger drag or swipe gesture in either the first predefined scrollable area or the second predefined scrollable area will scroll the plurality of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area. In some embodiments, a vertical finger drag or swipe gesture in either the first predefined scrollable area or the second predefined scrollable area will scroll the list of content items in the second predefined scrollable area. For example, the gesture that brings graphical object  514 - 4  into alignment with pointer object  516  in  FIG. 5B  may be a finger drag or swipe gesture that scrolls graphical objects  514  in content preview area  512 . 
     In some embodiments, the gesture that corresponds to selection of the first graphical object is a finger drag gesture or a finger swipe gesture in the first predefined scrollable area that scrolls the plurality of graphical objects ( 624 ). For example, the gesture that brings graphical object  514 - 4  into alignment with pointer object  516  in  FIG. 5B  may be a finger drag or swipe gesture in content preview area  512  that scrolls graphical objects  514  in content preview area  512 . 
     In response to detecting the gesture that corresponds to selection of the first graphical object, the device plays ( 626 ) respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected first graphical object. For example, in response to the detection of the gesture selecting graphical object  514 - 4 , respective portions of one or more of content items  506 -A thru  506 -F and  506 - 16  ( FIG. 5C ) are played. 
     In some embodiments, a respective portion of a respective content item is played for a predefined duration ( 628 ). A portion of a content item that is played when a graphical object  514  is aligned with pointer object  516  lasts a predefined duration. For example, in  FIG. 5B , item  506 -A in Album 16 corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4  is played for a predefined duration (e.g., 30 seconds), then item  506 -B in Album 16 is played for the same predefined duration, and so on. 
     In some embodiments, a respective portion of a respective content item starts playing from a predefined location in the respective content item ( 630 ). In some embodiments, the predefined location in the respective content item is the beginning of the content item, the quarter point in the content item, or the halfway point in the content item ( 632 ). A portion of a content item that is played when a graphical object  514  is aligned with pointer object  516  starts from a predefined location in the content item. For example, in  FIG. 5B , the portion of item  506 -A in Album 16 corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4  that is played may start from the beginning, the quarter point, or the halfway point of item  506 -A. 
     In some embodiments, the respective portions are played in an order that corresponds to an order of the content items within the set of content items ( 634 ). For example, for a music album, the respective portions are played in the order of the songs on the album (e.g., from the first song to the last song) or in the order of popularity of the songs on the album (e.g., from the most popular to the least popular). In some embodiments, the popularity is based on the rating for the song (by an individual user or by multiple users) or the total downloads for the song to date or over a period of time. For example, for Album 16 corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4 , items  506 -A thru  506 -F and  506 - 16  are played in the album order or in their order of popularity. 
     In some embodiments, the respective portions are played in a shuffled order ( 636 ). For example, for Album 16 corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4 , items  506 -A thru  506 -F and  506 - 16  are played in a shuffled (random) order. 
     In some embodiments, while playing a portion of a first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the selected first graphical object, the device detects ( 638 ) a scrolling gesture (e.g., a horizontal finger drag gesture in the first predefined scrollable area). In response to detecting the scrolling gesture ( 640 ), the device scrolls ( 642 ) the plurality of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area in accordance with the scrolling gesture, ceases to play ( 644 ) the portion of the first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the selected first graphical object, and plays ( 646 ) respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected first graphical object, other than the first content item. For example, in  FIGS. 5B and 5D , while a portion of a content item from Album 16 corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4 , aligned with pointer object  516 , is being played, gesture  520  is detected. In response to the detection of gesture  520 , content preview area  512  is scrolled and the content item portion from Album 16 ceases to be played. Portions of other content items from Album 16 are played. 
     In some embodiments, the device concurrently displays with the first predefined scrollable area a pointer object, where the gesture that corresponds to selection of the first graphical object aligns at least a portion of the first graphical object in the first predefined scrollable area with the pointer object ( 648 ). For example, in  FIGS. 5B and 5D , pointer object  516  is displayed concurrently with content preview area  512 . A scrolling gesture (not shown) selects graphical object  514 - 4  by scrolling graphical objects  514  in content preview area  512  to align graphical object  514 - 4  with pointer object  516 . 
     In some embodiments, the pointer object is located at a fixed position (e.g., at a fixed location next to or within in the first predefined scrollable area) ( 650 ). For example, in  FIG. 5B , pointer object  516  is fixed to be located at the center of content preview area  512 . As another example, in  FIG. 5K , pointer object  516  is fixed to be located at the center of content preview area  558 . 
     In some embodiments, the gesture that corresponds to selection of the first graphical object aligns at least a portion of the first graphical object with the pointer object by scrolling the plurality of graphical objects until the pointer object coincides with (e.g., overlaps with or points to) at least a portion of the first graphical object ( 652 ). For example, in  FIGS. 5B and 5D , a scrolling gesture (not shown) selects graphical object  514 - 4  by scrolling content preview area  512  to align graphical object  514 - 4  with pointer object  516 . 
     In some embodiments, while playing a portion of a first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the selected first graphical object, the device detects ( 654 ) a scrolling gesture (e.g., a horizontal finger drag gesture in the first predefined scrollable area). In response to detecting the scrolling gesture ( 656 ), the device scrolls ( 658 ) the plurality of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area in accordance with the scrolling gesture; ceases to play ( 660 ) the portion of the first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the selected first graphical object; plays ( 662 ) respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected first graphical object, other than the first content item, while the pointer object coincides with (e.g., overlaps with or points to) at least a portion of the first graphical object; and plays ( 664 ) respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to a second graphical object, distinct from the first graphical object, while the pointer object coincides with (e.g., overlaps with or points to) at least a portion of the second graphical object. For example, in  FIGS. 5B and 5D , while a portion of a content item from Album 16 corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4 , aligned with pointer object  516 , is being played, gesture  520  is detected. In response to the detection of gesture  520 , content preview area  512  is scrolled and the content item portion from Album 16 ceases to be played. Portions of other content items from Album 16 are played when graphical object  514 - 4  is still aligned with pointer object  516  while graphical objects  514  in content preview area  512  are scrolling. Then portions of content items corresponding to graphical object  514 - 3  are played when graphical object  514 - 3  is aligned with pointer object  516  while graphical objects  514  in content preview area  512  are scrolling. Then portions of content items from Album A corresponding to graphical object  514 - 2  are played when graphical object  514 - 2  is aligned with pointer object  516  while graphical objects  514  in content preview area  512  are scrolling. 
     In some embodiments, the device detects ( 666 ) an input while playing a respective portion of a content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the selected first graphical object (e.g., a tap gesture on the pointer object, a tap gesture on the first graphical object, a double tap gesture anywhere on the touch-sensitive surface, or any other similar gesture). In response to detecting the input, the device plays ( 668 ) the entire content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the selected first graphical object. For example, in  FIGS. 5E-5F , while a portion of Song A  506 -A in Album 16, corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4  aligned with pointer object  516  is playing, gesture  544  is detected on pointer object  516  (and on graphical object  514 - 4 ). In response to the detection of gesture  544 , Song A  506 -A is played in its entirety, as shown in  FIG. 5F  where playback controls  502  shows Song A  506 -A as being played in its entirety, rather than just playing a preview. 
     In some embodiments, the device detects ( 670 ) a gesture that corresponds to selection of a second graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area. In response to detecting the gesture that corresponds to selection of the second graphical object, the device plays ( 672 ) respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected second graphical object. For example, in  FIGS. 5B and 5D , gesture  520  is detected. In response to the detection of gesture  520 , graphical objects  514  in content preview area  512  are scrolled and graphical object  514 - 2  is selected by aligning graphical object  514 - 2  is aligned with pointer object  516 . Portions of content items from Album A corresponding to graphical object  514 - 2  are played. 
     In some embodiments, the device detects ( 674 ) a gesture to expand the first predefined scrollable area from a first predefined size to a second predefined size larger than the first predefined size (e.g., a finger drag or finger swipe gesture orthogonal to the first direction, which starts in the first predefined scrollable area). In response to detecting the gesture to expand the first predefined scrollable area ( 676 ), the device expands ( 678 ) the first predefined scrollable area from the first predefined size to the second predefined size, and displays ( 680 ) an array of graphical objects, each respective graphical object representing a set of content items, in the first predefined scrollable area at the second predefined size. For example, in  FIGS. 5F-5H , gesture  546  is detected. In response to the detection of gesture  546 , content preview area  512  is expanded from a single-row size to a larger, multi-row size with an array of graphical objects  514 . 
     In some embodiments, display of the array of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area at the second predefined size replaces display of the second predefined scrollable area ( 682 ). For example, in  FIG. 5H , content preview area  512  at the multi-row size replaces display of content items list  504 . 
     In some embodiments, the device detects ( 684 ) a gesture on a graphical object in the array of graphical objects. In response to detecting the gesture on the graphical object, the device plays ( 686 ) respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items corresponding to the graphical object in the array of graphical objects. For example, in  FIG. 5H , gesture  552  is detected on graphical object  514 - 2  in expanded content preview area  512 . In response to the detection of gesture  552 , respective portions of one of more content items  506 -H thru  506 -N in Album A corresponding to graphical object  514 - 2  are played. 
     In some embodiments, the device detects ( 688 ) a gesture in the second predefined scrollable area that corresponds to selection of a content item in the list of content items. In response to detecting the gesture in the second predefined scrollable area, the device plays ( 690 ) the selected content item. For example, in  FIG. 5I , gesture  554  is detected on Song 5  506 - 5  in content items list  504 . In response to the detection of gesture  554 , Song 5  506 - 5  is played in its entirety, as opposed to just playing a preview. 
     It should be understood that the particular order in which the operations in  FIGS. 6A-6D  have been described is merely exemplary and is not intended to indicate that the described order is the only order in which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processes described herein with respect to method  700  (e.g.,  FIGS. 7A-7D ) are also applicable in an analogous manner to method  600  described above with respect to  FIGS. 6A-6D . For example, the first predefined scrollable area described above with reference to method  600  may have one or more of the characteristics of the predefined scrollable area described herein with reference to method  700 . For brevity, these details are not repeated here. 
       FIGS. 7A-7D  are flow diagrams illustrating a method  700  of previewing content items in accordance with some embodiments. The method  700  is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device  300 ,  FIG. 3A , device  300 - 1 ,  FIG. 3B , or portable multifunction device  100 ,  FIG. 1 ) with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the display is a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method  700  may be combined and/or the order of some operations may be changed. 
     As described below, the method  700  provides an intuitive way to preview content items. The method reduces the cognitive burden on a user when navigating and previewing content items, thereby creating a more efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated electronic devices, enabling a user to navigate and preview content items faster and more efficiently conserves power and increases the time between battery charges. 
     The device displays ( 702 ) concurrently on the display a pointer object ( 704 ) and a predefined scrollable area ( 708 ). The predefined scrollable area includes a plurality of graphical objects. Each of the plurality of graphical objects represents a respective set of content items. The predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll in a first direction (e.g., horizontally, from left to right and from right to left). For example, in  FIG. 5B , content preview area  512  (the predefined scrollable area) and pointer object  516  are displayed concurrently. Content preview area  512  includes graphical objects  514 . Each graphical object  514  represents a respective set of content items  506 . Content preview area  512  is scrollable parallel to axis  518 . 
     In some embodiments, the pointer object is located at a fixed position (e.g., at a fixed location next to or within in the predefined scrollable area) ( 706 ). For example, in  FIG. 5B , pointer object  516  is fixed to be located at the center of content preview area  512 . Similarly, in  FIG. 5K , pointer object  516  is fixed to be located at the center of content preview area  558 . 
     In some embodiments, the graphical objects in the predefined scrollable area are displayed in a single row ( 710 ). In  FIG. 5B , for example, graphical objects  514  are displayed in a single row in content preview area  512 . 
     In some embodiments, the graphical objects in the predefined scrollable area are digital images, genre identifiers, artist identifiers, album identifiers (e.g., album art), or playlist identifiers ( 712 ). For example, in  FIG. 5B , graphical objects  514  displayed in content preview area  512  may be album cover or album art images. As another example, in  FIG. 5K , genre identifiers  560  are displayed in content preview area  558 . 
     In some embodiments, a respective set of content items is an album, and the respective graphical object representing the respective set of content items is album art associated with the album ( 714 ). For example, the sets of content items corresponding to graphical objects  514  are albums, and graphical objects  514  are the corresponding album cover or album art images. 
     In some embodiments, the predefined scrollable area is displayed in response to detecting a scrolling gesture on another predefined scrollable area that is configured to scroll in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction (e.g., vertically, from top to bottom and from bottom to top) ( 716 ). For example, content preview area  512  is displayed in response to the detection of gesture  508  scrolling content items list  504 , as shown in FIGS.  5 A- 5 B. Gesture  508  scrolls content items list  504  parallel to axis  505 , which is orthogonal to axis  518 . 
     The device detects a finger drag gesture or a finger swipe gesture (e.g., at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the predefined scrollable area) ( 718 ). For example, a finger drag or swipe gesture (not shown) parallel to axis  518  is detected in content preview area  512 . 
     In response to detecting the finger drag gesture or the finger swipe gesture ( 720 ), the device scrolls ( 722 ) the plurality of graphical objects such that the pointer object coincides with (e.g., overlaps with or points to) at least a portion of a first graphical object in the plurality of graphical objects, and plays ( 724 ) respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the first graphical object. For example, in response to the detection of the finger drag or swipe gesture (not shown), graphical objects  514  in content preview area  512  scroll to align graphical object  514 - 4  with pointer object  516 , as shown in  FIG. 5B . In response to the alignment of graphical object  514 - 4  with pointer object  516 , respective portions of one or more of items  506 -A thru  506 -F and  506 - 16  in Album 16 are played. 
     In some embodiments, a respective portion of a respective content item is played for a predefined duration ( 726 ). A portion of a content item that is played when a graphical object  514  is aligned with pointer object  516  lasts a predefined duration. For example, in  FIG. 5B , item  506 -A in Album 16 corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4  is played for a predefined duration (e.g., 30 seconds), then item  506 -B in Album 16 is played for the same predefined duration, and so on. 
     In some embodiments, a respective portion of a respective content item starts playing from a predefined location in the respective content item ( 728 ). In some embodiments, the predefined location in the respective content item is the beginning of the content item, the quarter point in the content item, or the halfway point in the content item ( 730 ). A portion of a content item that is played when a graphical object  514  is aligned with pointer object  516  starts from a predefined location in the content item. For example, in  FIG. 5B , the portion of item  506 -A in Album 16 corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4  that is played may start from the beginning, the quarter point, or the halfway point of item  506 -A. 
     In some embodiments, the respective portions are played in an order that corresponds to an order of the content items within the set of content items. For example, for a music album, the respective portions are played in the order of the songs on the album (e.g., from the first song to the last song) or in the order of popularity of the songs on the album (e.g., from the most popular to the least popular). In some embodiments, the popularity is based on the rating for the song (by an individual user or by multiple users) or the total downloads for the song to date or over a period of time. For example, for Album 16 corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4 , items  506 -A thru  506 -F and  506 - 16  are played in the album order or in their order of popularity. 
     In some embodiments, the respective portions are played in a shuffled order. For example, for Album 16 corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4 , items  506 -A thru  506 -F and  506 - 16  are played in a shuffled (random) order. 
     In some embodiments, while playing a portion of a first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the first graphical object, the device detects ( 736 ) a scrolling gesture (e.g., a horizontal finger drag gesture at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the predefined scrollable area). In response to detecting the scrolling gesture ( 738 ), the device scrolls ( 740 ) the plurality of graphical objects in the predefined scrollable area in accordance with the scrolling gesture and ceases ( 742 ) to play the portion of the first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the first graphical object. The device plays ( 744 ) respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the first graphical object, other than the first content item, while the pointer object coincides with (e.g., overlaps with or points to) at least a portion of the first graphical object. The device plays ( 746 ) respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to a second graphical object, distinct from the first graphical object, while the pointer object coincides with (e.g., overlaps with or points to) at least a portion of the second graphical object. For example, in  FIGS. 5B and 5D , while a portion of a content item from Album 16 corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4 , aligned with pointer object  516 , is being played, gesture  520  is detected. In response to the detection of gesture  520 , graphical objects  514  in content preview area  512  are scrolled and the content item portion from Album 16 ceases to be played. Portions of other content items from Album 16 are played when graphical object  514 - 4  is still aligned with pointer object  516  while graphical objects  514  in content preview area  512  are scrolling. Then portions of content items corresponding to graphical object  514 - 3  are played when graphical object  514 - 3  is aligned with pointer object  516  while graphical objects  514  in content preview area  512  are scrolling. Then portions of content items from Album A corresponding to graphical object  514 - 2  are played when graphical object  514 - 2  is aligned with pointer object  516  while graphical objects  514  in content preview area  512  are scrolling. 
     In some embodiments, the device detects ( 748 ) an input while playing a respective portion of a content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the first graphical object (e.g., a tap gesture on the pointer object, a tap gesture on the first graphical object, a double tap gesture anywhere on the touch-sensitive surface, or any other similar gesture). In response to detecting the input, the device plays ( 750 ) the entire content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the first graphical object. For example, in  FIGS. 5E-5F , while a portion of Song A  506 -A in Album 16, corresponding to graphical object  514 - 4  aligned with pointer object  516  is playing, gesture  544  is detected on pointer object  516  (and on graphical object  514 - 4 ). In response to the detection of gesture  544 , Song A  506 -A is played in its entirety, as shown in  FIG. 5F  where playback controls  502  shows Song A  506 -A as being played in its entirety, rather than just playing a preview. 
     In some embodiments, the device detects ( 752 ) a gesture that corresponds to selection of a second graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects in the predefined scrollable area (e.g., another finger drag or finger swipe gesture). In response to detecting the gesture that corresponds to selection of the second graphical object, the device plays ( 754 ) respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected second graphical object. For example, in  FIGS. 5B and 5D , gesture  520  is detected. In response to the detection of gesture  520 , graphical objects  514  in content preview area  512  are scrolled and graphical object  514 - 2  is selected by aligning graphical object  514 - 2  is aligned with pointer object  516 . Portions of content items from Album A corresponding to graphical object  514 - 2  are played. 
     In some embodiments, the device detects ( 756 ) a gesture to expand the predefined scrollable area from a first predefined size to a second predefined size larger than the first predefined size (e.g., a finger drag or finger swipe gesture orthogonal to the first direction, which starts in the predefined scrollable area). In response to detecting the gesture to expand the predefined scrollable area ( 758 ), the device expands ( 760 ) the predefined scrollable area from the first predefined size to the second predefined size, and displays ( 762 ) an array of graphical objects, each respective graphical object representing a set of content items, in the predefined scrollable area at the second predefined size. For example, in  FIGS. 5F-5H , gesture  546  is detected. In response to the detection of gesture  546 , content preview area  512  is expanded from a single-row size to a larger, multi-row size with an array of graphical objects  514 . 
     In some embodiments, the device detects ( 764 ) a gesture on a graphical object in the array of graphical objects. In response to detecting the gesture on the graphical object, the device plays ( 766 ) respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items corresponding to the graphical object in the array of graphical objects. For example, in  FIG. 5H , gesture  552  is detected on graphical object  514 - 2  in expanded content preview area  512 . In response to the detection of gesture  552 , respective portions of content items  506 -H thru  506 -N in Album A corresponding to graphical object  514 - 2  are played. 
     It should be understood that the particular order in which the operations in  FIGS. 7A-7D  have been described is merely exemplary and is not intended to indicate that the described order is the only order in which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processes described herein with respect to method  600  (e.g.,  FIGS. 6A-6D ) are also applicable in an analogous manner to method  700  described above with respect to  FIGS. 7A-7D . For example, the predefined scrollable area described above with reference to method  700  may have one or more of the characteristics of the first predefined scrollable area described herein with reference to method  600 . For brevity, these details are not repeated here. 
     In accordance with some embodiments,  FIG. 8  shows a functional block diagram of an electronic device  800  configured in accordance with the principles of the invention as described above. The functional blocks of the device may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of the invention. It is understood by persons of skill in the art that the functional blocks described in  FIG. 8  may be combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of the invention as described above. Therefore, the description herein may support any possible combination or separation or further definition of the functional blocks described herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , an electronic device  800  includes a display unit  802  configured to display concurrently on the display unit  802  a first predefined scrollable area and a second predefined scrollable area distinct from the first predefined scrollable area. The first predefined scrollable area includes a plurality of graphical objects. Each of the plurality of graphical objects represents a respective set of content items. The first predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll in a first direction. The second predefined scrollable area includes a list of content items. The second predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. Electronic device  800  also includes a touch-sensitive surface unit  804  configured to receive gestures, and a processing unit  806  coupled to the display unit  802  and the touch-sensitive surface unit  804 . In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  includes a detecting unit  808 , a playing unit  810 , a display enabling unit  812 , a scrolling unit  814 , a ceasing unit  816 , and an expanding unit  818 . 
     The processing unit  806  is configured to: detect a gesture that corresponds to selection of a first graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area (e.g., with the detecting unit  808 ); and, in response to detecting the gesture that corresponds to selection of the first graphical object, play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected first graphical object (e.g., with the playing unit  810 ). 
     In some embodiments, the graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area are displayed in a single row. 
     In some embodiments, the graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area are digital images, genre identifiers, artist identifiers, album identifiers, or playlist identifiers. 
     In some embodiments, a respective set of content items is an album, and the respective graphical object representing the respective set of content items is album art associated with the album. 
     In some embodiments, the first predefined scrollable area is displayed in response to detecting a scrolling gesture on the second predefined scrollable area. 
     In some embodiments, wherein the first predefined scrollable area is adjacent to the second predefined scrollable area. 
     In some embodiments, the list of content items in the second predefined scrollable area includes the content items in the sets of content items represented by the plurality of graphical objects. 
     In some embodiments, the gesture that corresponds to selection of the first graphical object is a finger drag gesture or a finger swipe gesture that scrolls the plurality of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area. 
     In some embodiments, the gesture that corresponds to selection of the first graphical object is a finger drag gesture or a finger swipe gesture in the first predefined scrollable area that scrolls the plurality of graphical objects. 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  is configured to enable display of a pointer object concurrently with the first predefined scrollable area (e.g., with the display enabling unit  812 ), where the gesture that corresponds to selection of the first graphical object aligns at least a portion of the first graphical object in the first predefined scrollable area with the pointer object. 
     In some embodiments, the pointer object is located at a fixed position. 
     In some embodiments, the gesture that corresponds to selection of the first graphical object aligns at least a portion of the first graphical object with the pointer object by scrolling the plurality of graphical objects until the pointer object coincides with at least a portion of the first graphical object. 
     In some embodiments, a respective portion of a respective content item is played for a predefined duration. 
     In some embodiments, a respective portion of a respective content item starts playing from a predefined location in the respective content item. 
     In some embodiments, the predefined location in the respective content item is the beginning of the content item, the quarter point in the content item, or the halfway point in the content item. 
     In some embodiments, the respective portions are played in an order that corresponds to an order of the content items within the set of content items. 
     In some embodiments, the respective portions are played in a shuffled order. 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  is configured to: while playing a portion of a first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the selected first graphical object, detect a scrolling gesture (e.g., with the detecting unit  808 ); and, in response to detecting the scrolling gesture: scroll the plurality of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area in accordance with the scrolling gesture (e.g., with the scrolling unit  814 ), cease to play the portion of the first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the selected first graphical object (e.g., with the ceasing unit  816 ), and play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected first graphical object, other than the first content item (e.g., with the playing unit  810 ). 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  is configured to: while playing a portion of a first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the selected first graphical object, detect a scrolling gesture (e.g., with the detecting unit  808 ); and, in response to detecting the scrolling gesture: scroll the plurality of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area in accordance with the scrolling gesture (e.g., with the scrolling unit  814 ), cease to play the portion of the first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the selected first graphical object (e.g., with the ceasing unit  816 ), play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected first graphical object, other than the first content item, while the pointer object coincides with at least a portion of the first graphical object (e.g., with the playing unit  810 ), and play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to a second graphical object, distinct from the first graphical object, while the pointer object coincides with at least a portion of the second graphical object (e.g., with the playing unit  810 ). 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  is configured to: detect an input while playing a respective portion of a content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the selected first graphical object (e.g., with the detecting unit  808 ); and, in response to detecting the input, play the entire content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the selected first graphical object (e.g., with the playing unit  810 ). 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  is configured to: detect a gesture that corresponds to selection of a second graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area (e.g., with the detecting unit  808 ); and in response to detecting the gesture that corresponds to selection of the second graphical object, play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected second graphical object (e.g., with the playing unit  810 ). 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  is configured to: detect a gesture to expand the first predefined scrollable area from a first predefined size to a second predefined size larger than the first predefined size (e.g., with the detecting unit  808 ); and in response to detecting the gesture to expand the first predefined scrollable area: expand the first predefined scrollable area from the first predefined size to the second predefined size (e.g., with the expanding unit  818 ), and enable display of an array of graphical objects, each respective graphical object representing a set of content items, in the first predefined scrollable area at the second predefined size (e.g., with the display enabling unit  812 ). 
     In some embodiments, display of the array of graphical objects in the first predefined scrollable area at the second predefined size replaces display of the second predefined scrollable area. 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  is configured to: detect a gesture on a graphical object in the array of graphical objects (e.g., with the detecting unit  808 ); and, in response to detecting the gesture on the graphical object, play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items corresponding to the graphical object in the array of graphical objects (e.g., with the playing unit  810 ). 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  is configured to: detect a gesture in the second predefined scrollable area that corresponds to selection of a content item in the list of content items (e.g., with the detecting unit  808 ); and in response to detecting the gesture in the second predefined scrollable area, play the selected content item (e.g., with the playing unit  810 ). 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device  800  includes a display unit  802  configured to display concurrently on the display unit  802  a pointer object and a predefined scrollable area. The predefined scrollable area includes a plurality of graphical objects. Each of the plurality of graphical objects represents a respective set of content items. The predefined scrollable area is configured to scroll in a first direction. Electronic device  800  also includes a touch-sensitive surface unit  804  configured to receive gestures, and a processing unit  806  coupled to the display unit  802  and the touch-sensitive surface unit  804 . In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  includes a detecting unit  808 , a playing unit  810 , a display enabling unit  812 , a scrolling unit  814 , a ceasing unit  816 , and an expanding unit  818 . 
     The processing unit  806  is configured to: detect a finger drag gesture or a finger swipe gesture (e.g., with the detecting unit  808 ); and, in response to detecting the finger drag gesture or the finger swipe gesture: scroll the plurality of graphical objects such that the pointer object coincides with at least a portion of a first graphical object in the plurality of graphical objects (e.g., with the scrolling unit  814 ), and play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the first graphical object (e.g., with the playing unit  810 ). 
     In some embodiments, the graphical objects in the predefined scrollable area are displayed in a single row. 
     In some embodiments, the graphical objects in the predefined scrollable area are digital images, genre identifiers, artist identifiers, album identifiers, or playlist identifiers. 
     In some embodiments, a respective set of content items is an album, and the respective graphical object representing the respective set of content items is album art associated with the album. 
     In some embodiments, the predefined scrollable area is displayed in response to detecting a scrolling gesture on another predefined scrollable area that is configured to scroll in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. 
     In some embodiments, the pointer object is located at a fixed position. 
     In some embodiments, a respective portion of a respective content item is played for a predefined duration. 
     In some embodiments, a respective portion of a respective content item starts playing from a predefined location in the respective content item. 
     In some embodiments, the predefined location in the respective content item is the beginning of the content item, the quarter point in the content item, or the halfway point in the content item. 
     In some embodiments, the respective portions are played in an order that corresponds to an order of the content items within the set of content items. 
     In some embodiments, the respective portions are played in a shuffled order. 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  is configured to: while playing a portion of a first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the first graphical object, detect a scrolling gesture (e.g., with the detecting unit  808 ); and, in response to detecting the scrolling gesture: scroll the plurality of graphical objects in the predefined scrollable area in accordance with the scrolling gesture (e.g., with the scrolling unit  814 ), cease to play the portion of the first content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the first graphical object (e.g., with the ceasing unit  816 ), play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the first graphical object, other than the first content item, while the pointer object coincides with at least a portion of the first graphical object (e.g., with the playing unit  810 ), and play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to a second graphical object, distinct from the first graphical object, while the pointer object coincides with at least a portion of the second graphical object (e.g., with the playing unit  810 ). 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  is configured to: detect an input while playing a respective portion of a content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the first graphical object (e.g., with the detecting unit  808 ); and, in response to detecting the input, play the entire content item in the set of content items that corresponds to the first graphical object (e.g., with the playing unit  810 ). 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  is configured to: detect a gesture that corresponds to selection of a second graphical object of the plurality of graphical objects in the predefined scrollable area (e.g., with the detecting unit  808 ); and in response to detecting the gesture that corresponds to selection of the second graphical object, play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items that correspond to the selected second graphical object (e.g., with the playing unit  810 ). 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  is configured to: detect a gesture to expand the predefined scrollable area from a first predefined size to a second predefined size larger than the first predefined size (e.g., with the detecting unit  808 ); and in response to detecting the gesture to expand the predefined scrollable area: expand the predefined scrollable area from the first predefined size to the second predefined size (e.g., with the expanding unit  818 ), and enable display of an array of graphical objects, each respective graphical object representing a set of content items, in the predefined scrollable area at the second predefined size (e.g., with the display enabling unit  812 ). 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit  806  is configured to: detect a gesture on a graphical object in the array of graphical objects (e.g., with the detecting unit  808 ); and, in response to detecting the gesture on the graphical object, play respective portions of one or more content items in the set of content items corresponding to the graphical object in the array of graphical objects (e.g., with the playing unit  810 ). 
     The operations in the information processing methods described above may be implemented by running one or more functional modules in information processing apparatus such as general purpose processors or application specific chips. These modules, combinations of these modules, and/or their combination with general hardware (e.g., as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1A and 3 ) are all included within the scope of protection of the invention. 
     The operations described above with reference to  FIGS. 6A-6D ,  7 A- 7 D may be implemented by components depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B . For example, detection operation  620  or  718 , scrolling operation  722 , and playing operation  626  or  724  may be implemented by event sorter  170 , event recognizer  180 , and event handler  190 . Event monitor  171  in event sorter  170  detects a contact on touch-sensitive display  112 , and event dispatcher module  174  delivers the event information to application  136 - 1 . A respective event recognizer  180  of application  136 - 1  compares the event information to respective event definitions  186 , and determines whether a first contact at a first location on the touch-sensitive surface corresponds to a predefined event or sub-event, such as selection of an object on a user interface. When a respective predefined event or sub-event is detected, event recognizer  180  activates an event handler  190  associated with the detection of the event or sub-event. Event handler  190  may utilize or call data updater  176  or object updater  177  to update the application internal state  192 . In some embodiments, event handler  190  accesses a respective GUI updater  178  to update what is displayed by the application. Similarly, it would be clear to a person having ordinary skill in the art how other processes can be implemented based on the components depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
     The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20111221
Publication Date: 20160126
Grant Date: 20160126
Priority Date: 20110826
Inventors: FINO JORGE
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/0485", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04883", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04886", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0481", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04886", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0485", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04883", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0481", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04886", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0485", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04883", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 47745479