ADAPTABLE INTERFACE FOR A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE

A mobile computing device may be configured to run more than one operating system. Each operating system may require one or more specialized buttons to perform or enable various functions. The layout, shape, and function corresponding the buttons for each operating system may be unique. Adapting the buttons for a particular operating system may be accomplished by using soft buttons displayed as part of the graphical user interface. Here, however, valuable display area must be dedicated to the buttons. Another adaptation approach requires reconfiguring the hardware. Both approaches have drawbacks. In the invention disclosed, two sets of hardware buttons are incorporated in the same touch panel. Enabling a button is based on the choice of operating system. Enabled buttons are visible and operable while not enabled buttons or not visible and not operable. In this way, the hardware buttons in the mobile computing device may be reconfigured without using display area and without requiring hardware disassembly.