Browsing or searching user interfaces and other aspects

摘要

User interfaces for browsing and/or searching are described. In some embodiments, the metadata of a file includes a field having an indicator to indicate whether a preview of the content of the file is available. If the preview is available, then a plug-in associated with the creator application of the file is executed to present the preview within the icon. Furthermore, if the preview is interactive according to the metadata, then various user interface control may be generated to allow users to manipulate the presentation of the preview. Other embodiments are also described, and computer readable media and apparatuses are also described.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
in response to a request from a client application, a background process requesting icon data of an icon from a plug-in, the icon representing a file, the icon is associated with a creator application and the plug-in is separate from the client application; the background process receiving the icon data from the plug-in, the icon data including one or more decorations of the icon and image metadata indicative of whether a preview of content of the file is available, wherein the background process receives the icon data from the plug-in without launching the creator application; and forwarding the icon data to the client application, wherein the file is one of a plurality of data files created by different types of application programs and the client application comprises a search application capable of searching a metadata database comprising metadata corresponding to the data files created by the different types of application programs using a single search request.