DISPLAYING A UNIFIED DESKTOP ACROSS CONNECTED DEVICES
Embodiments provide for a handheld device with a unified desktop for integrating the functionality of the handheld device with a larger computer system. When connected to a peripheral display and/or a display of the larger computer system, the handheld device provides a unified desktop displayed across the screen(s) of the handheld device and the peripheral display. The unified desktop unifies the functionality provided by the larger computer system and the handheld functionality, e.g., communication applications (e.g., phone, SMS, MMS). A user can seamlessly interact with applications, e.g., open, move, close, receive notifications, on the unified desktop whether the applications are displayed on the screens of the handheld device, or the peripheral display of the larger computer system.
1 . A method, comprising:
displaying a first desktop by at least one processor of a multi-screen device, wherein the desktop is displayed on at least one screen of the multi-screen device;
displaying a window of an open application on the first desktop;
determining that the multi-screen device is connected to a peripheral display;
in response to the determining:
displaying a unified desktop, wherein the first desktop is a second portion of the unified desktop, and a first portion of the unified desktop is displayed on the peripheral display; and
displaying an indication of the open application on the first portion of the unified desktop.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the indication is displayed in a window of an application manager.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the indication is a window.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral display is part of a personal computer.
5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
determining that the personal computer has a second application open; and
in response to the determining, displaying an indication of the second application on the second portion of the unified desktop.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the indication of the second application is displayed in a second window of the application manager on the second portion of the unified desktop.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the indication is a window.
8 . The method of claim 1 , determining that the multi-screen device is disconnected from the peripheral screen.
9 . The method of claim 8 , in response to the determining that the multi-screen device is disconnected from the peripheral screen, removing the indication from display on the first portion.
10 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions that when executed by at least one processor perform a method comprising:
displaying a first desktop by at least one processor of a multi-screen device, wherein the desktop is displayed on at least one screen of the multi-screen device;
displaying a window of an open application on the first desktop;
determining that the multi-screen device is connected to a peripheral display;
in response to the determining:
displaying a unified desktop, wherein the first desktop is a second portion of the unified desktop, and a first portion of the unified desktop is displayed on the peripheral display; and
displaying an indication of the open application on the first portion of the unified desktop.
11 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the indication is displayed in a window of an application manager.
12 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the indication is a window.
13 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12 , wherein the peripheral display is part of a personal computer.
14 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13 , further comprising:
determining that the personal computer has a second application open; and
in response to the determining, displaying an indication of the second application on the second portion of the unified desktop.
15 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the indication of the second application is displayed in a second window of the application manager on the second portion of the unified desktop.
16 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the indication is a window.
17 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10 , determining that the multi-screen device is disconnected from the peripheral screen.
18 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , in response to the determining that the multi-screen device is disconnected from the peripheral screen, removing the indication from display on the first portion.
19 . A dual screen communication device, comprising:
a first touch sensitive display on a first screen;
a second touch sensitive display on a second screen;
a computer readable medium that stores computer executable instructions that when executed by at least one processor perform a method comprising:
displaying a first desktop by at least one processor of a multi-screen device, wherein the desktop is displayed on at least one screen of the multi-screen device;
displaying a window of an open application on the first desktop;
determining that the multi-screen device is connected to a peripheral display;
in response to the determining:
displaying a unified desktop, wherein the first desktop is a second portion of the unified desktop, and a first portion of the unified desktop is displayed on the peripheral display; and
displaying an indication of the open application on the first portion of the unified desktop.
20 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the method further comprises:
determining that the personal computer has a second application open; and
in response to the determining, displaying an indication of the second application on the second portion of the unified desktop.