1. A computer-implemented method for providing realistic movement of objects manipulated using multi-touch input, the method comprising: determining that a user has released an application object by removing one or more contacts from a multi-touch input device; invoking an inertia API to process a simulation of movement of the application object for a current inertia processing period, wherein the inertia API provides an application-independent platform for simulating realistic movement independent of a type of the application object; receiving an inertia event that describes a manipulation of the object based on simulated inertia; handling the received inertia event based on an effect of the manipulation in a context of the application by modifying the application object.