DATA SYNCHRONIZATION LATENCY INDICATOR

1 . A method comprising:

determining a synchronization latency describing a time interval until a portable computing device exchanges data with a server;

generating a synchronization latency indicator providing a visual representation of the synchronization latency; and

displaying the synchronization latency indicator.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving an interaction with the synchronization latency indicator; and

responsive to receiving the interaction, displaying synchronization detail information describing data exchange between the portable computing device and the server.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein displaying synchronization detail information describing data exchange between the portable computing device and the server comprises:

displaying a type of data exchange between the portable computing device and the server; and

displaying a time elapsed from a current time to a prior data exchange between the portable computing device and the server.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein displaying synchronization detail information describing data exchange between the portable computing device and the server comprises:

displaying an estimated time until a network is available to the portable computing device.

5 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising

displaying a type of data exchange between the portable computing device and the server;

displaying a synchronization initiator; and

responsive to receiving an interaction with the synchronization initiator, exchanging data between the portable computing device and the server.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying the synchronization latency indicator comprises:

displaying a count down timer indicating a time until the portable computing device exchanges data with the server.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying the synchronization latency indicator comprises:

modifying an appearance of a displayed image responsive to a decrease in time or an increase in time until a data exchange between the portable computing device and the server.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying the synchronization latency indicator comprises:

displaying an alphanumeric representation of the synchronization latency.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying the synchronization latency indicator comprises:

generating a tone or haptic feedback responsive to the synchronization latency equaling a threshold value.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the synchronization latency describing the time interval until the portable computing device exchanges data with the server comprises:

determining whether a network is available to the portable computing device;

determining a type of data exchange between the portable computing device and the server; and

determining the time interval used by the type of data exchange.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

responsive to determining the network is not available to the portable computing device, calculating an estimated time until the network is available to the portable computing device.

12 . An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a display device coupled to the processor;

a non-transitory computer readable storage device coupled to the processor and to the display device, the non-transitory computer readable storage device including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

determine a synchronization latency describing a time interval until an exchange of data with a server;

generate a synchronization latency indicator providing a visual representation of the synchronization latency; and

display the synchronization latency indicator on the display device.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage device further includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

receive an interaction with the synchronization latency indicator; and

responsive to receiving the interaction, display synchronization detail information describing the exchange of data with the server on the display device.

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein display the synchronization latency indicator on the display device comprises:

displaying a type of data exchange with the server on the display device; and

displaying a time elapsed from a current time to a prior data exchange with the server on the display device.

15 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein display synchronization detail information describing the exchange of data with the server on the display device comprises:

displaying an estimated time until a network is available.

16 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage device further includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

display a type of data exchange with the server on the display device;

display a synchronization initiator on the display device; and

responsive to receiving an interaction with the synchronization initiator, exchange data with the server.

17 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein display the synchronization latency indicator on the display device comprises:

displaying, on the display device, a count down timer indicating a time until the exchange of data with the server.

18 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein display the synchronization latency indicator on the display device comprises:

modifying an appearance of an image displayed on the display device responsive to a decrease in time until the exchange of data with the server.

19 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein display the synchronization latency indicator on the display device comprises:

displaying an alphanumeric representation of the synchronization latency on the display device.

20 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein determine the synchronization latency describing the time interval until the exchange of data with the server comprises:

determining whether a network is available;

determining a type of data exchange with the server; and

determining the time interval used by the type of data exchange.

21 . The apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising:

responsive to determining the network is not available, calculating an estimated time until the network is available.

22 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium coupled to a processor, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

determine a synchronization latency describing a time interval until an exchange of data with a server;

generate a synchronization latency indicator providing a visual representation of the synchronization latency; and

display the synchronization latency indicator on a display device.

23 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22 , wherein display the synchronization latency indicator on the display device comprises:

displaying, on the display device, a count down timer indicating a time until the exchange of data with the server.

24 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22 , wherein display the synchronization latency indicator on the display device comprises:

modifying an appearance of an image displayed on the display device responsive to a decrease in time until the exchange of data with the server.

25 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22 , wherein display the synchronization latency indicator on the display device comprises:

displaying an alphanumeric representation of the synchronization latency on the display device.

26 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22 , wherein determine the synchronization latency describing the time interval until the exchange of data with the server comprises:

determining whether a network is available;

determining a type of data exchange with the server; and

determining the time interval used by the type of data exchange.