8. A mobile device comprising: at least one sensor generating a sensor value; a context information server receiving the sensor value and setting at least one context attribute based on the sensor value, the at least one context attribute indicating a rapid linear acceleration of the mobile device upon which the mobile device experiences a bulk translation in a substantially linear direction, the at least one context attribute distinguishing the linear acceleration of the mobile device from a tilting of the mobile device and a shaking of the mobile device; and an application using the at least one context attribute to: determine that a flinging gesture has been made with the mobile device, as if a user is throwing the mobile device, the flinging gesture being distinguished from a tilting gesture and a shaking gesture based on the at least one context attribute; and change an image on a display on the device in response to the flinging gesture, wherein the application sends a request to the context information server to be notified when a context attribute changes; wherein the context information server receives requests to be notified when a context attribute changes from multiple applications and wherein the context information server notifies all applications that previously sent a request to be notified that the context attribute has changed when the context attribute changes.
13. The mobile device of claim 8 wherein the device switches applications in response to the flinging gesture.