Application-centric user interface techniques
Various application-centric user interface techniques are described. A user can easily launch, add, or update applications. An application-centric activity center can be presented as part of a user interface for an operating system shell. A file defining metadata for an application can be defined. The techniques can be applied to game-related software.
1. A system comprising:
a computing device configured for displaying, within a game pane of an application-centric user interface, information about a plurality of videogames;
the computing device further configured for displaying, within a user pane of the application-centric user interface, a user profile of a user;
the computing device further configured for displaying, within a chat pane of the application-centric user interface, a buddy list that includes a buddy of the user, wherein the buddy list includes information that identifies a multiplayer videogame of the plurality of videogames; and
the chat pane of the application-centric user interface configured for sending to the buddy an invite to join the multiplayer videogame.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein a portion of the plurality of videogames are stored on the computing device and another portion of the plurality of videogames are available for purchase from a provider.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the user profile includes a depiction and username that are each associated with the user.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the user profile includes information that identifies a videogame usage history of the user.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the information about a plurality of videogames comprises a list that is limited to the videogames.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the displayings are in response to the user accessing a folder.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the user profile includes a motto of the user.
8. A method comprising:
displaying, by a computer within a game pane of an application-centric user interface, information about a plurality of videogames;
displaying, by the computing device within a user pane of the application-centric user interface, a user profile of a user;
displaying, by the computing device within a chat pane of the application-centric user interface, a buddy list that includes a buddy of the user, wherein the buddy list includes information that identifies a multiplayer videogame of the plurality of videogames; and
the chat pane of the application-centric user interface configured for sending to the buddy an invite to join the multiplayer videogame.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein a portion of the plurality of videogames are stored on the computing device and another portion of the plurality of videogames are available for purchase from a provider.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the user profile includes a depiction and username that are each associated with the user.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the user profile includes information that identifies a videogame usage history of the user.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein the information about a plurality of videogames comprises a list that is limited to the videogames.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein the displayings are in response to the user accessing a folder.
14. The method of claim 8 wherein the user profile includes a motto of the user.
15. At least one storage device storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising:
displaying, by a computer within a game pane of an application-centric user interface, information about a plurality of videogames;
displaying, by the computing device within a user pane of the application-centric user interface, a user profile of a user;
displaying, by the computing device within a chat pane of the application-centric user interface, a buddy list that includes a buddy of the user, wherein the buddy list includes information that identifies a multiplayer videogame of the plurality of videogames; and
the chat pane of the application-centric user interface configured for sending to the buddy an invite to join the multiplayer videogame.
16. The at least one storage device of claim 15 wherein a portion of the plurality of videogames are stored on the computing device and another portion of the plurality of videogames are available for purchase from a provider.
17. The at least one storage device of claim 15 wherein the user profile includes a depiction, username, and motto that are each associated with the user.
18. The at least one storage device of claim 15 wherein the user profile includes information that identifies a videogame usage history of the user.
19. The at least one storage device of claim 15 wherein the information about a plurality of videogames comprises a list that is limited to the videogames.
20. The at least one storage device of claim 15 wherein the displayings are in response to the user accessing a folder.