1. A method for allowing a plurality of applications, each implemented on user equipment and associated with a resource requirement, to assume control of the user equipment, wherein one of the plurality of applications is an interactive program guide, the method comprising: receiving, with a control request processor, a control request from a requesting application, wherein the requesting application is one of the plurality of applications; comparing a first plurality of buttons associated with an active mode of the requesting application with a second plurality of buttons associated with an active mode of a second application of the plurality of applications; determining, with the control request processor and without user input, whether any button in the first plurality of buttons is included in the second plurality of buttons; and transferring control of the user equipment to the requesting application in response to determining that none of the first plurality of buttons is included in the second plurality of buttons.