Task completion across devices using a shared work space

A system, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• a display that supports a user interface (UI) for interacting with a device user;
• a touch-based input sub-system;
• and
• a memory storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, perform a method for working on a task or project across devices and applications, the method comprising the steps of:
• providing a facility for the user to select and drop an item for later handling into a shared work space, the selection and dropping being performed using a gesture on the touch-based input sub-system, the facility being exposed within experiences supported by one or more applications on the device,
• determining a contextually-relevant time for reminding the user about the item in the shared work space based on contextual information associated with one or more of the device, the user, the applications, items in the shared work space or the user's contacts,
• reminding the user about the item in the shared work space at the determined contextually-relevant time,
• enabling the user to work on a task or project using the one or more applications and the item in the shared work space, and
• enabling the user to access the shared work space using a second device to work on the task or project.

A method for generating a reminder of an unfinished task or project that is presented on a device employed by a user, the method comprising the steps of:

• collecting contextual information pertaining to the device or the user;
• identifying characteristics of an item selected and dropped by a user into a shared work space that is accessible by one or more devices using one or more applications;
• determining applicability of one or more pieces of collected contextual information to the identified characteristics;
• and
• generating a contextually-relevant time to present the reminder based on the determination.