Pushbutton user interface with functionality preview

User interface apparatus for enabling a user to preview the effect of activating a mechanical input apparatus, comprising:

• preview sensing means for sensing an input to the mechanical input apparatus that does not produce an activation of the mechanical input apparatus, but determines the nature of the input and preview display functionality of the mechanical input apparatus;
• and
• preview display means for displaying, in response to the sensed input, a preview comprising at least a portion of content data that would be provided as output if the mechanical input apparatus were activated, wherein the content of the preview varies in accordance with the degree of force applied to the input to the mechanical input apparatus.

A method for enabling a user to preview the effect of activating a physical pushbutton, comprising the steps of:

• sensing an input to the pushbutton that does not produce an activation of the pushbutton, but determines the nature of the input and preview display functionality of the pushbutton;
• and
• displaying, in response to the sensed input, a preview comprising at least a portion of content data that would be provided as output if the pushbutton were activated, wherein the content of the preview varies in accordance with the degree of force applied to the pushbutton.

A computer readable storage medium or media on which is stored one or more computer programs for enabling a user to preview the effect of activating a physical pushbutton, the one or more computer programs comprising:

• instructions for sensing an input to the pushbutton that does not produce an activation of the pushbutton, but determines the nature of the input and preview display functionality of the pushbutton;
• and
• instructions for displaying, in response to the sensed input, a preview comprising at least a portion of content data that would be provided as output if the pushbutton were activated, wherein the content of the preview varies in accordance with the degree of force applied to the pushbutton.