Application command control for small screen display

#Usable space on a display of a smaller screen processing device (e.g., mobile phone or tablet) is limited as compared with desktop devices. When developing graphical control elements for applications, developers do not typically consider screen size limitations in developing and programming of such graphical control elements. Functionality and usability issues are presented when many applications are run on smaller displays, such issues including graphical control elements not functioning properly (e.g., display, processing of actions/data and usability issues). Graphical control elements that are robust and include many elements/functions typically lose functionality when displayed under smaller screen-size constraints. It is with respect to this general technical area that the present application is directed.

#Examples of the present disclosure describe application command control for small-screens. When detecting a display width associated with a processing device is equal to or less than a threshold value, the processing device launches an application command control programmed for display on small screens. The application command control interfaces with an application and comprises a plurality of top-level palettes and a plurality of drill-in palettes programmed for the application. A top-level palette for the application is vertically scrollable and comprises a collection of rows comprising one or more selectable command elements. A row of one or more command elements of the top-level palette comprises a drill-in feature that when selected presents a drill-in palette. A drill-in palette is vertically scrollable and comprises one or more rows of selectable command elements.

#This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additional aspects, features, and/or advantages of examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

#Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples are described with reference to the following figures.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computing device with which aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced.

#FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified block diagrams of a mobile computing device with which aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced.

#Usable display space is at a premium for users of smaller screen devices. Users desire improved functionality and usability of applications on smaller screens rather than relying on larger devices that traditionally have more display space and greater processing capability. A user expects a device displaying an application on a small portion of a display to have functionality that is greater than or at least similar to that of a larger screen device. Users of small screen devices also expect familiarity with applications that they may use on larger screen devices.

#Examples of the present disclosure describe application command control for small screens, for example, having a display width associated with a processing device that is equal to or less than a threshold value. As examples, the threshold value may relate to screen size including but not limited to a width of a display of a processing device (e.g., mobile device), an effective resolution of a display or a measurement related to a diagonal of a display of the processing device, and an operating size of a display window for an application executing on the processing device. Application command control is displayable on a display of a processing device in a form-factor appropriate manner, for example in a portrait or landscape view. The application command control hosts a majority of an application's command set, organized in a hierarchical structure of individual palettes, chunks, and commands. Further, the application command control may be programmed to dynamically interact with an application and display simultaneously with applications and/or user interface components such as a soft input panel (SIP) or on screen keyboard. In one example, the application command control may intelligently adapt based on content of an application (e.g., displayed or selected on an application canvas).

#Positioning of the application command control may depend on a state of the application command control. Positioning and display of an application command control may also be affected by the applications interfacing with the application command control as well as other user interface features such as an SIP or other command container such as a pane or contextual menu as examples. In one example, the application command control may display on at least one portion of a display of a device running an application. For instance, an application command control may display on a bottom portion of a display while an application is running. However, an application command control may comprise multiple parts. For example, a part of the application command control may display at a bottom portion of a display while certain features related to the application command control may display at a top portion of a display while an application is running Size of the application command control may be programmed or variable. In an example open state, the application command control may be a half-screen control. In at least one example, palettes of an application command control are presented in a vertical layout and are vertically scrollable. Commands may be laid out in chunks that stack vertically on top of one another. Menus or palettes of an application command control may comprise top-level palettes (e.g., corresponding to groupings) and drill-in palettes correspond to overflows and drill-ins hosted in callouts.