Method and apparatus for providing a user interface on a device that indicates content operators

A computer-implemented method of operating an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display for receiving touch input, the method comprising:

• display a list of items in a graphical user interface on the touch-sensitive display;
• determine that a time duration of a user input representing a selection of an item from the list exceeds a predetermined period of time;
• in response to the determination that the time duration exceeds the predetermined period of time, displaying on the touch-sensitive display a menu adjacent an edge of the display, the menu containing one or more icons, each icon representing a function operable in relation to the selected item and being selectable by the user;
• and
• in response to continued detection of the user input representing the user selection of the item and detection of a second, concurrent touch in relation to one of the one or more icons, displaying a description of the function of the icon, wherein the description is displayed projecting from the menu.

An electronic device comprising:

• a touch-sensitive display;
• one or more processors;
• and
• memory comprising instructions which when executed by one or more of the processors cause the electronic device to:
• display a list of items in a graphical user interface on the touch-sensitive display;
• determine that a time duration of a user input representing a selection of an item from the list exceeds a predetermined period of time;
• in response to the determination that the time duration exceeds the predetermined period of time, display on the touch-sensitive display a menu adjacent an edge of the display, the menu containing one or more icons, each icon representing a function operable in relation to the selected item and being selectable by the user;
• and
• in response to continued detection of the user input representing the user selection of the item and detection of a second, concurrent touch in relation to one of the one or more icons, displaying a description of the function of the icon, wherein the description is displayed projecting from the menu.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which when executed by one or more of the processors of an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display cause the electronic device to:

• display a list of items in a graphical user interface on the touch-sensitive display;
• determine that a time duration of a user input representing a selection of an item from the list exceeds a predetermined period of time;
• in response to the determination that the time duration exceeds the predetermined period of time, display on the touch-sensitive display a menu adjacent an edge of the display, the menu containing one or more icons, each icon representing a function operable in relation to the selected item and being selectable by the user;
• and
• in response to continued detection of the user input representing the selection of the item and detection of a second, concurrent touch input in relation to one of the one or more icons, display cause the device to display a description of the function of the icon, wherein the description is displayed projecting from the menu.