Split-screen user interface

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored executable instructions for providing a split-screen user interface on a device, that when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:

• display a primary application in a single application mode on a display associated with the device;
• and
• based on a mode change request received from a user:
• launch to a split-screen mode for enabling simultaneous display of multiple applications;
• and
• transition from the single application mode to a split-screen mode, wherein when in split-screen mode the primary application is shown within a first display area and a plurality of applications are shown within a second display area adjacent to the first display area.

A computer-implemented method for providing a split-screen user interface on a portable electronic device, the method comprising:

• displaying a primary application in a single application mode on a display associated with the device;
• receiving a mode change request from the user to launch to a split-screen mode for enabling simultaneous display of multiple applications, wherein the mode change request represents user activation of a link associated with the primary application, user activation of a menu option or function key on the device while working within the primary application, or the user execution of a drag and drop operation through movement of an application icon associated with a second application into a display area associated with the primary application;
• and
• transitioning from the single application mode to a split-screen mode based on the mode change request such that the primary application is shown within a first display area and a plurality of applications are shown within a second display area adjacent to the first display area,
• wherein the plurality of applications within the second display area are is stacked on top of each other such that at least a portion of each application is shown within the second display area, and
• wherein when in split screen mode the first display area associated with the primary application is substantially half the size of the secondary display area associated with the plurality of applications.