Glossary

This page provides a list of terms and acronyms for the HP webOS platform.

Term	Definition
Account List view	A view that appears when the user opens the Email app, showing all of the accounts that have been set up.
address bar	The area at the top of the screen for direct entry of URLs, and for entry of text to filter bookmarks, history, and online search options such as Google™ and Wikipedia®.
Album Art Now Playing view	A view in the music player that shows album art for the currently playing track.
Amazon Music	The application that allows users to browse, discover, and play music from Amazon®.
App Catalog	The catalog on the device that allows users to browse, discover, and install webOS applications on demand over-the-air.
application	A software program that allows the user to perform a specific collection of tasks.
application icons	Icons that appear on the Launcher. Tapping an icon opens the corresponding application.
application menu	A menu that appears when the user taps the left half of the status bar from any screen of an application. It contains both application-specific items and standard items such as Edit, Preferences, and Help.
application search	A method of finding data by entering text to display a list of matching items.
application update	Feature that allows a user to update to a newer version of an application or service (such as Google or Yahoo!®) on the device.
Application view	The full view of the card that fills the entire screen, unless there are notifications at the bottom. (This is not the same as Full-screen mode.)
assistant	The JavaScript that controls the behavior of a stage or scene. The assistants are located in the app/assistants directory in the application directory.

Term	Definition
back	(Gesture.) Swipe across the left or right portion of the gesture area, without crossing the Center button, to return to the previous view.
backdrop	An optional element that lies behind everything drawn in a scene.
Backup	(Application)
banner notification	A notification that crawls across the notification bar.
Bluetooth	An application that allows the user to set Bluetooth preferences and connect to Bluetooth devices.
bookmark	A shortcut to a page.
Bookmarks view	A view in a web browser showing all of the user's bookmarks.
Buddy view	A view in Messaging that lists all of a user's IM buddies.
button	A simple, labeled control that performs a single action when tapped. Buttons are the most basic UI element that binds an action to a region.
button bar	A group of up to five buttons that opens at the bottom of the screen when the user taps the gesture area. Tapping a button opens a menu or submenu.

Term	Definition
Calculator	An application that mimics a pocket calculator.
Calendar	An application for tracking events and appointments.
calendar source	An online service (such as EAS, Gmail™, or Yahoo!) where users can compose email, or enter contacts or calendar events. The user can then sync this information with the device.
Camera	An application that allows the user to take photographs, which can then be managed in the Photos application.
card	A window or screen in an application. When the user is interacting with the application, its card fills the screen. Pressing the Center button minimizes the card and shows its position in the deck.
Card Organizer view	A view of multiple cards where the cards are smaller than the Card view, and they can be rearranged.
Card view	The main view of the deck, displayed when a user minimizes a card by pressing the Center button. The Card view allows a user to switch between applications by scrolling cards to the left or right.
cascading style sheet	A simple mechanism for adding consistent style to Web documents; for example, fonts, colors, spacing, etc.
center button	The button at the center of the gesture area. With an application open, press this button to minimize the card.
character selector	A control that allows the user to select from a grid of items. A character selector only scrolls vertically.
chat style messaging	A text conversation showing all communication between two people, independent of the chat mechanisms used. Chat style messaging can combine IM, SMS and other protocols in a single view.
Chat view	A view of messages showing all communication between two people, regardless of the chat mechanisms used, in a single view.
check box	A control that allows the user to toggle a single value. Check boxes used in a group can be toggled in any combination. Use check boxes when the values are not related to each other. If toggling one value in a group should un-toggle other values, use radio buttons.
command buttons	Buttons that are displayed at the bottom of the screen when the user taps the gesture area. Command buttons are specific to their scene.
Connection menu	A menu containing connection options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Airplane mode. The connection menu appears when user taps right half of the status bar.
controller	An object that creates and manages an assistant. The three main controller types are application controllers, stage controllers, and scene controllers.
contact source	Service or location from which a contact originates. The user can create local contacts by typing on the device, or import contacts from Google, Yahoo!, or Facebook®.
Contacts	An application that allows the user to create and manage records about friends, colleagues, and business contacts.
contiguous selection	Selection of multiple items as a group. To select items contiguously: press and hold Shift key, then drag across the items.
control	A reusable part of a graphical user interface, allowing the user to perform a function or group of related functions. Controls can present a single function, multiple functions, or an integrated media viewer. Also called a widget.
curtains	Controls that are attached to the window frame itself instead of being associated with the scene. The system uses curtains to render certain menus, filter and search, headers, panels, etc.

Term	Definition
D-Bus	An open source technology that offers a simple way for applications to communicate with each another. D-Bus was developed by Red Hat® as part of the freedesktop.org project.
dashboard	Expanded view of all notifications that have not been dealt with by the user.
dashboard panel	A single Dashboard's stage within the Dashboard view.
Date & Time	An application that allows the user to set the date and time on the device.
date or time Selector	See Numeric Date or Time Selector.
Device Info	An application that displays information about the device, and allows the user to give the device a name.
Doc View	An application for viewing documents from the desktop in formats such as Microsoft® Office and Adobe® PDF.
double-tap	(Gesture.) Two taps in quick succession. Tap twice on the screen to zoom in a specific amount; tap twice on the gesture strip to zoom out a specific amount; tap twice on an item to zoom the display to fit the item.
drag	(Gesture.) Moving a finger in contact with the screen, to move a card or other object.
drag and drop	Using the drag gesture to relocate a card or other object on the screen. To drag and drop: tap and hold the object, then drag it to a new location and release.

Term	Definition
Email	An application for sending and receiving email.
event	An internal or external signal that the application code processes. Most events are generated by actions (gestures) made by the user on the touchscreen, such as tapping a button.
flick	(Gesture.) Make a fast vertical movement on the screen. A flick is like a fast drag, but the finger is lifted while still in motion. Make the flick gesture to scroll with momentum; scrolling continues even after the finger is lifted.
forms	A way to organize a group of related UI components.
free time	A visual treatment in the Calendar application that compresses free time to save space.
Full-screen view	A view that uses the entire screen to show a card, photo, video, etc. Tap an item to view it full-screen.
gesture	A specific finger movement for controlling the device. Examples: tapping, dragging, and flicking.
gesture area	The area below the screen, containing the Center button.
grid date selector	A control that allows the user to select the date from a calendar grid. A grid date selector only scrolls vertically.

Term	Definition
headless	Without a stage or scene; running in the background, without presenting a card to the user.
headless application	An application that includes a dashboard stage but no card stages.
headset jack	A receptacle for a 3.5 mm headset plug.
History view	A view in Messaging that lists all of a user's conversations.
hold	(Gesture.) Press, wait, and release.
hold and drag	(Gesture.) Press, wait, move, stop, and release.
insertion point	The point marked by a cursor where text will appear when typed in a text field. Press and hold in the gesture area with one finger, drag or scroll on the screen with another finger, or tap anywhere within text to change the cursor position.

Term	Definition
Language	An application for setting the language on the device.
launch gesture	Flicking up from the gesture area onto the screen to display the Launcher.
Launcher	A series of screens that display icons that the user can tap to launch applications and preferences.
Launcher page	A single page of icons in the Launcher.
launch point	The entry point into an application for launching or relaunching the application. May or may not have launch parameters associated with it.
layered calendars	A view that shows calendars from multiple sources.
linked contact	An aggregated contact created by combining contacts from multiple sources.
linking	The act of joining two or more contacts together from various sources.
lists	A way to organize multiples of the same item in a variety of ways.
list selector	A control that lets the user select an item from a list.
Location	An application that allows the user to set preferences for the GPS on the device.

Term	Definition
Maps	An application that displays the current location and facilitates searching for businesses, addresses, or other points of interest.
make a gesture	To perform a finger action, such as flicking or dragging, using the screen or gesture area on the device.
Memos	An application for typing quick notes.
menu	A list of commands.
Messaging	An application for conversing over IM, SMS, and other protocols.
meta-tap	(Gesture.) Tap and hold in the gesture area with one finger, then press the shortcut key associated with the desired action. For example, the Edit menu "Copy" command shortcut is the letter "C.
micro-USB connector	A small USB connector, commonly used for portable devices.
micro-USB port	A receptacle for a Micro-USB connector.
mini-USB port	A receptacle for the the power cable.
mirror	An area of polished metal on the back of the device, exposed when the slide-out keyboard is open.
multi-tasking	Not just the ability to run multiple applications or processes at once, but an umbrella term that talks about how webOS provides the user the ability to have multiple activities going on simultaneously and provides facilities (card view, notification manager, gestures) to easily move between these activities.
multi-toggle button	A control, similar to a toggle except that it lets the user cycle through more than two states.
Music	An application for playing music on the device.

Term	Definition
News	An application for reading news.
next	(Gesture.) Swipe fully across the gesture strip from right to left to display the next card or item.
notification	An alert that provides immediate information to the user. A notification appears either in the notification bar at the bottom of the screen or as a pop-up.
notification summary icon	The icon that appears at the right side of the notification bar after the notification disappears. Tapping the notification summary icon displays information about the notification.
Now Playing List view	A view in the music player that shows the playlist.
numeric date or time selector	A group of associated list selectors that allow the user to enter a date or time.

Term	Definition
Option key	The key that a user holds down while pressing another key to enter the symbol or special character displayed at the top of the second key.

Term	Definition
page/process	Maps to a single WebKit page instance, and may or may not have a window associated with it. A single running application can have multiple pages associated with it.
palm-generate	A command-line utility that generates a basic application or scene template.
palm-install	A command-line utility that installs a packaged webOS application on the emulator or device.
palm-launch	A command-line utility that launches an installed webOS application on the emulator or device.
palm-package	A command-line utility that packages a webOS application for installation on the emulator or device.
Palm profile	An account the user creates when using the phone for the first time. The Palm profile provides access to services offered by HP, including Backup and Restore, Application Catalog, Software Updates, etc.
PDF View	An application for viewing Adobe PDF files.
peek	(Gesture.) Partially drag left or right across the screen to see a portion of the next screen.
Phone	An application for making telephone calls.
Phone Prefs	An application for setting the preferences for the phone.
Photos	An application for managing a collection of photographs taken with the Camera application.
pinch in	(Gesture.) Place two fingers on the screen and pinch them together to zoom out the display.
pinch out	(Gesture.) Place two fingers on the screen and spread them apart to zoom in the display.
pop	Deactivate and exit a scene by removing it from the stage’s scene stack (unlike swap that deactivates a scene and moves it down the stack).
pop-up calendar	See grid date selector.
pop-up notification	A notification that pops up at the bottom of the screen for time-sensitive events like phone calls or calendar appointments.
power button	The button at the top right corner of the device, used to turn the device on and off.
preference panels	Screens that allow the user to set preferences.
preferences	Device settings.
press and hold	(Gesture.) Touch the screen in one spot for at least two seconds.
preview list Selector	Like a list selector, but with a preview button before each list item.
previous	(Gesture.) Swipe fully across the gesture area from right to left to move to the previous card or item.
push	Activate a scene, placing it at the top of the stage's scene stack, where it becomes visible to the user.

Term	Definition
Quick Launch	(Gesture.) Drag up from the gesture strip into the screen to display the Quick Launch bar.
Quick Launch bar	Set of four application icons that users can tap to open four default applications without going to the Launcher, plus an icon for the Launcher.

Term	Definition
radio buttons	A control that allows the user to select one choice from a group. Only one radio button in a group can be selected at one time. If more than one choice can be selected, use check boxes.
recover	Protection for your Contacts and Calendar, as well certain device settings and configurations. Maintains a list of applications that you have downloaded from the Application Catalog. Allows the user to restore data and applications in the event of a problem with the device, or to migrate to another Palm smartphone. To restore or move applications and data, a user signs in with Palm Account credentials during the First Use process, which is activated when a device is powered on for the first time or after a hard reset.
ringer switch	A switch at the top of the device that turns system sounds on or off.

Term	Definition
scene	A screen layout, displayed on a stage, that presents a related group of controls to the user.
scene stack	The scenes that have been pushed on a particular stage. Only the top scene is active and visible.
screen	The touch-sensitive display area on the device.
screen lock	A protective feature that prevents the device from responding to touch or gestures while it is not in use. The screen locks five seconds after turning off automatically or immediately after being turned off manually.
search bar	The area at the top of the screen for direct entry of URLs, and for entry of text to filter bookmarks, history, and online search options such as Google and Wikipedia.
Securescreen Lock	A more secure version of Screen Lock that requires the user to enter a password to unlock the screen.
select	(Gesture.) Press and hold in gesture strip with one finger, drag or scroll on screen with another finger.
selector	A control that allows the user to set or enter a value.
slide-out keyboard	A keyboard that is hidden inside the device until exposed by sliding it from behind its cover.
slider	A control the user taps and drags to select a value along a continuum. Example: the Volume slider is used to adjust the volume.
smart folder	A folder that always appears at the bottom of the email folder list view. The three default smart folders include: All Inbox Messages, All Unread Messages, and All Flagged Messages.
snap	To automatically adjust to fit into a predefined space. Example: in the Launcher, if a user drags a screen partway, the screen snaps into place.
Software Update	A service that regularly updates the device with new webOS software.
Sounds & Alerts	An application for setting the sounds and alerts on the device.
stage	The template on which the user interface for an application is built. A stage generally corresponds to a single card, or application window.
stage assistant	The JavaScript object that provides setup and other logic to a stage.
starred folder	A folder that a user has marked as a favorite, important, etc. These folders stay visible in the folder list view even when the parent folder is collapsed.
status bar	The bar at the top of every screen showing date and time, battery life, connection status, etc.
summary icon	The icon that appears to the right of a notification after the notification text disappears. The user taps the summary icon to open the notification.
symbol key	The key, to the right of the period ('.') key, that brings up a menu of symbols and diacritical marks for text entry.
Synergy	The HP Synergy information manager feature brings your information from all the places it resides into one logical view. Applications that use Synergy include Calendar, Contacts, Messaging, and Email.
System menu	The menu, containing date and battery information and connection options, that appears when the user taps right half of the status bar.
System Updates	A feature that allows a user to update to a newer version of the device system software.

Term	Definition
tap	(Gesture.) Touch and quickly release; use to select or activate something.
Tap Feedback	The ripple effect that occurs on the touchscreen when you tap it.
throw	(Gesture.) Drag, swipe, or flick an item to delete or close it. In Card View, throw a card up to close the associated application. In a list view, throw an item right or left to delete it.
toggle button	A control that switches between two values when tapped.
transitions	The visual effects that occur after the user makes a gesture on the touchscreen to move from one scene to another.

Term	Definition
universal search	A feature that activates when a user begins typing a search term in the Launcher or Card view to provide multiple search options including applications, contacts, and the web.
unlink	In the Contacts application, to separate contacts that had previously been linked.
Updates	An application that checks for and installs updated software for the device.

Term	Definition
Videos	An application for watching videos.
View menu	The menu at the top of a screen in an application. Each view menu is specific to a scene.
volume button	The button, on the side of the device, that controls call and ringer volume.

Term	Definition
wallpaper	The background image that appears behind cards in the Card view.
Wallpaper	An application for selecting the background image that appears behind cards in the Card view.
Web	An application for browsing the web.
Web view	A view that appears when the user opens the web browser, displaying bookmarks and the history list.
WebKit	An open source web browser engine.
webOS	The HP mobile operating system, based on web technology.
widget	See control.
YouTube	An application for watching YouTube™ videos.

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