Contextual Activity Discovery in Web Browser New Tab Pages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of tabbed browsing often face difficulties in discovering and accessing relevant activities or services related to selected objects within their browser, as they need to navigate separately to find and apply these services, which can be cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A Web browser configuration that allows users to open a new tab and display available activities directly in that tab, enabling users to select activities relevant to objects they have chosen, such as text, images, or web pages, by using an in-page discovery button or clipboard content, with features like cascading menus for categorization and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users navigate separately to find and apply services related to selected objects, then services can be accessed, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically detecting selected objects and proactively presenting relevant activities in the new tab page before the user needs them. The browser monitors object selections and pre-prepresents contextual activities, eliminating the need for users to manually search for services.
Solution Approach 2:
The new tab page serves as an intermediary between the user's selected objects and the available activities. Instead of users directly navigating to service pages, the intermediary new tab page presents contextualized activity options based on selected objects, simplifying the access path.
2Adaptability or versatility
If activities are made available through browser chrome interface, then activities can be installed and accessed, but users remain unfamiliar with the concept and have difficulty discovering them
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by presenting activities specifically contextualized to the user's current selection rather than showing all available activities uniformly. The new tab page dynamically adapts its content based on what the user has selected, making relevant activities visible in the appropriate context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by monitoring user interactions with selected objects and automatically responding by presenting relevant activities in the new tab page. This closed-loop feedback mechanism helps users discover activities through their natural browsing behavior rather than requiring them to know activity concepts in advance.
3Reliability
If users manually navigate to find services related to selected objects, then services can be located, but the process becomes complex and multi-step
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the service discovery function with the new tab page, combining two previously separate operations (opening a new tab and searching for services) into a single integrated experience. Relevant activities are automatically presented in the new tab page based on selected objects, eliminating separate navigation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The new tab page is given multi-functionality by making it not only a blank starting point but also an automatic service discovery interface. It universally handles both traditional new tab purposes and the new function of presenting contextualized activities related to selected objects across different browsing scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
In one or more embodiments, a Web browser is configured to enable a user to open a new tab and, responsively, display one or more activities in a new tab page for the user. The user can then select, from the new tab page, one or more activities to be performed. In at least some embodiments, a user can select an object in a first tab page, open a new tab page, and select an activity on the new tab page that is to be performed relative to the selected object.