14 DAY TRIAL // A recently published patent application gives a hint to what the Zune Phone interface might be like. While the Zune phone was pretty much confirmed, meaning everyone knows Microsoft is planning on releasing it throughout this year and rumor also has it that it will not be running Windows Mobile, not a lot of extra details are provided.
According to previous information, the handset's interface was supposed to be a mix between the ones used with the Zune and Xbox 360. Now, the patent that was filled on the 16th of June last year and published on the 12th of April 2007 includes Tile Space User Interface for Mobile Devices and explains that users generally find it difficult to access commonly used data and functions on most mobile phones, due to their small screens and large number of included features.
The document describes how an improved user interface for mobile devices can be provided by using dynamic tiles. And, since a picture is worth a thousand words, in this case it's easier to deduce how the UI works from the several photos available. For more details, here's what the document includes: The user interface can include a set of dynamic tiles. The tiles can include graphics, text or any other visual data. A number of tiles can be displayed using thumbnail views that provide minimal data. In addition, a tile can be selected as the active tile and displayed in an enlarged view including additional content. Tiles can be updated to reflect changes to associated content accessible through the mobile device.
Content can be local to the mobile device or located remotely. For example, a tile can include data provided by an Internet subscription news service. Tiles can also provide independent functionality, including simple tasks, to users without requiring users to navigate away from the tile display space. In addition, tiles can provide users with quick, direct access to launch software applications available through the mobile device.
