Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing content previews. One apparatus operates to display one or more user interface controls as a foreground against a background on a display device; receive user input resulting in a user interface state that has an associated action; and display as the background a preview of the associated action. In another aspect, the user input gives focus to a user interface control that has associated content; and a preview of the associated content is displayed without further action on the part of the user. In another aspect, user interface controls are displayed; and giving input focus to a particular user interface control that has associated content causes an apparatus to play a preview of the associated content without further action on the part of a user.