1. A computer-implemented method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI), comprising:
- receiving first input indicating a first cursor navigation direction in a first visual area of the GUI, the first visual area presenting one or more first topic indicators that are destinations for cursor navigation in the first visual area;
- in response to the first input, selecting a next topic indicator from the first topic indicators based on the first cursor navigation direction;
- presenting a second visual area in the GUI such that the next topic indicator is not visible but one or more of the first topic indicators are visible, the second visual area having one or more content items regarding the next topic indicator that are destinations for cursor navigation in the second visual area;
- receiving second input indicating a second cursor navigation direction in the second visual area other than the first cursor navigation direction; and
- in response to the second input, selecting a next content item from the content items based on the second cursor navigation direction.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- enlarging the next content item while the next content item is selected.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
- creating space for the enlarged next content item in the second visual area by partially clipping another of the content items or by moving others of the content items apart.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the content items in the second visual area have a configuration selected from:
- a vertical list;
- a rectangular grid; and
- a multidimensional configuration.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- receiving a third input indicating user selection of the next content item in the second visual area; and
- in response to the third input, launching an application for the next content item.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second visual area has a wraparound configuration that allows indefinite scrolling among the content items.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- when the first topic indicators are too many to be simultaneously visible in the GUI, presenting a hint at an edge of the first visual area adjacent at least one currently non-visible first topic indicator.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second inputs comprises touch navigation generated using a touchscreen.
9. A computer program product, encoded on a computer-readable medium, operable to cause data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:
- receiving first input indicating a first cursor navigation direction in a first visual area of the GUI, the first visual area presenting one or more first topic indicators that are destinations for cursor navigation in the first visual area;
- in response to the first input, selecting a next topic indicator from the first topic indicators based on the first cursor navigation direction;
- presenting a second visual area in the GUI such that the next topic indicator is not visible but one or more of the first topic indicators are visible, the second visual area having one or more content items regarding the next topic indicator that are destinations for cursor navigation in the second visual area;
- receiving second input indicating a second cursor navigation direction in the second visual area other than the first cursor navigation direction; and
- in response to the second input, selecting a next content item from the content items based on the second cursor navigation direction.
10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the content items in the second visual area have a configuration selected from:
- a vertical list;
- a rectangular grid; and
- a multidimensional configuration.
11. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise:
- receiving a third input indicating user selection of the next content item in the second visual area; and
- in response to the third input, launching an application for the next content item.
12. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second inputs comprises touch navigation generated using a touchscreen.
13. A system comprising:
- a display device; and
- a device operable to interact with the display device and to perform operations comprising:
- receiving first input indicating a first cursor navigation direction in a first visual area of the GUI, the first visual area presenting one or more first topic indicators that are destinations for cursor navigation in the first visual area;
- in response to the first input, selecting a next topic indicator from the first topic indicators based on the first cursor navigation direction;
- presenting a second visual area in the GUI such that the next topic indicator is not visible but one or more of the first topic indicators are visible, the second visual area having one or more content items regarding the next topic indicator that are destinations for cursor navigation in the second visual area;
- receiving second input indicating a second cursor navigation direction in the second visual area other than the first cursor navigation direction; and
- in response to the second input, selecting a next content item from the content items based on the second cursor navigation direction.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the content items in the second visual area have a configuration selected from:
- a vertical list;
- a rectangular grid; and
- a multidimensional configuration.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise:
- receiving a third input indicating user selection of the next content item in the second visual area; and
- in response to the third input, launching an application for the next content item.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein the display device comprises a touchscreen, and at least one of the first and second inputs comprises touch navigation generated using the touchscreen.
17. A computer program product, encoded on a computer-readable medium, operable to cause data processing apparatus to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising:
- topic indicators configured for cursor navigation in at least a first direction; and
- one or more content items associated with one of the first topic indicators that currently has focus, wherein upon cursor navigation in the first direction the focus moves to a next topic indicator, and wherein upon cursor navigation in a second direction the focus moves to a next content item.
18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the content items have a configuration selected from:
- a vertical list;
- a rectangular grid; and
- a multidimensional configuration.
19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the GUI further comprises:
- application output generated by an application for the next content item, the application launched in response to an input indicating user selection of the next content item.
20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the cursor navigation in at least one of the first and second directions comprises touch navigation generated using a touchscreen.
