1. A computer-implemented user input method, comprising: outputting, by a mobile device, an active application for display; sensing a user manipulation of the mobile device; in response to the user manipulation of the mobile device and before receiving typed user input, determining whether the active application is search-associated by identifying whether the active application can provide search results associated with the active application in response to a user-submitted search request, wherein determining whether the active application is search-associated comprises determining which resources in the active application are in use; and in response to a determination that the active application is search-associated: outputting, for display, an application-specific search window, receiving, from a user, a search request in the application-specific search window, submitting the search request to a specialized search engine, wherein the specialized search engine is adapted to provide search results tailored to the active application, and outputting, for display in the active application, search results responsive to the search request.