diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 410e9930c..87278026f 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ fi
 
 AM_CONDITIONAL(BUILD_RECORDER, $build_recorder)
 
-PKG_CHECK_MODULES(MUTTER_PLUGIN, gtk+-2.0 dbus-glib-1 metacity-plugins gjs-gi-1.0 $recorder_modules)
+PKG_CHECK_MODULES(MUTTER_PLUGIN, gtk+-2.0 dbus-glib-1 metacity-plugins gjs-gi-1.0 libgnome-menu $recorder_modules)
 PKG_CHECK_MODULES(TIDY, clutter-0.9)
 PKG_CHECK_MODULES(BIG, clutter-0.9 gtk+-2.0 librsvg-2.0)
 PKG_CHECK_MODULES(GDMUSER, dbus-glib-1 gtk+-2.0)
diff --git a/js/ui/appDisplay.js b/js/ui/appDisplay.js
index 45bd9bfe3..ab2dd089c 100644
--- a/js/ui/appDisplay.js
+++ b/js/ui/appDisplay.js
@@ -1,13 +1,23 @@
 /* -*- mode: js2; js2-basic-offset: 4; indent-tabs-mode: nil -*- */
 
+const Big = imports.gi.Big;
 const Clutter = imports.gi.Clutter;
+const Pango = imports.gi.Pango;
 const Gio = imports.gi.Gio;
 const Gtk = imports.gi.Gtk;
 const Gdk = imports.gi.Gdk;
 const Shell = imports.gi.Shell;
+const Lang = imports.lang;
 const Signals = imports.signals;
 
 const GenericDisplay = imports.ui.genericDisplay;
+const GtkUtil = imports.ui.gtkutil;
+
+const ENTERED_MENU_COLOR = new Clutter.Color();
+ENTERED_MENU_COLOR.from_pixel(0x00ff0022);
+
+const MENU_ICON_SIZE = 24;
+const MENU_SPACING = 15;
 
 // TODO - move this into GConf once we're not a plugin anymore
 // but have taken over metacity
@@ -55,29 +65,11 @@ AppDisplayItem.prototype = {
 
         let description = appInfo.get_description();
 
-        let icon = new Clutter.Texture({ width: GenericDisplay.ITEM_DISPLAY_ICON_SIZE, height: GenericDisplay.ITEM_DISPLAY_ICON_SIZE});
+        let iconTheme = Gtk.IconTheme.get_default();
 
-        this._gicon = appInfo.get_icon();
-        let iconPath = null;
-        if (this._gicon != null) {
-            let iconTheme = Gtk.IconTheme.get_default();
-            let iconInfo = iconTheme.lookup_by_gicon(this._gicon, GenericDisplay.ITEM_DISPLAY_ICON_SIZE, Gtk.IconLookupFlags.NO_SVG);
-            if (iconInfo)
-                iconPath = iconInfo.get_filename();
-        }
-
-        if (iconPath) {
-            try {
-                icon.set_from_file(iconPath);
-                icon.x = GenericDisplay.ITEM_DISPLAY_PADDING;
-                icon.y = GenericDisplay.ITEM_DISPLAY_PADDING;
-            } catch (e) {
-                // we can get an error here if the file path doesn't exist on the system
-                log('Error loading AppDisplayItem icon ' + e);
-            }
-        }
-
-        this._setItemInfo(name, description, icon); 
+        let gicon = appInfo.get_icon();
+        let icon = GtkUtil.loadIconToTexture(gicon, GenericDisplay.ITEM_DISPLAY_ICON_SIZE, true);
+        this._setItemInfo(name, description, icon);
     },
 
     //// Public methods ////
@@ -130,6 +122,86 @@ AppDisplayItem.prototype = {
     }
 };
 
+const MENU_UNSELECTED = 0;
+const MENU_SELECTED = 1;
+const MENU_ENTERED = 2;
+
+function MenuItem(name, id, icon_name) {
+    this._init(name, id, icon_name);
+}
+
+/**
+ * MenuItem:
+ * Shows the list of menus in the sidebar.
+ */
+MenuItem.prototype = {
+    _init: function(name, id, icon_name) {
+        this.id = id;
+
+        this.actor = new Big.Box({ orientation: Big.BoxOrientation.HORIZONTAL,
+                                   spacing: 4,
+                                   corner_radius: 4,
+                                   padding_right: 4,
+                                   reactive: true });
+        this.actor.connect('button-press-event', Lang.bind(this, function (a, e) {
+            this.setState(MENU_SELECTED);
+        }));
+
+        let iconTheme = Gtk.IconTheme.get_default();
+        let pixbuf = null;
+        this._icon = new Clutter.Texture({ width: MENU_ICON_SIZE,
+                                           height: MENU_ICON_SIZE });
+        // Wine manages not to have an icon
+        try {
+            pixbuf = iconTheme.load_icon(icon_name, MENU_ICON_SIZE, 0 /* flags */);
+        } catch (e) {
+            pixbuf = iconTheme.load_icon('gtk-file', MENU_ICON_SIZE, 0);
+        }
+        if (pixbuf != null)
+            Shell.clutter_texture_set_from_pixbuf(this._icon, pixbuf);
+        this.actor.append(this._icon, 0);
+        this._text = new Clutter.Text({ color: GenericDisplay.ITEM_DISPLAY_NAME_COLOR,
+                                        font_name: "Sans 14px",
+                                        ellipsize: Pango.EllipsizeMode.END,
+                                        text: name });
+        this.actor.append(this._text, Big.BoxPackFlags.EXPAND);
+
+        let box = new Big.Box({ orientation: Big.BoxOrientation.HORIZONTAL,
+                                y_align: Big.BoxAlignment.CENTER
+                              });
+
+        this._arrow = new Shell.Arrow({ surface_width: MENU_ICON_SIZE/2,
+                                        surface_height: MENU_ICON_SIZE/2,
+                                        direction: Gtk.ArrowType.RIGHT,
+                                        opacity: 0
+                                      });
+        box.append(this._arrow, 0);
+        this.actor.append(box, 0);
+    },
+
+    getState: function() {
+        return this._state;
+    },
+
+    setState: function (state) {
+        if (state == this._state)
+            return;
+        this._state = state;
+        if (this._state == MENU_UNSELECTED) {
+            this.actor.background_color = null;
+            this._arrow.set_opacity(0);
+        } else if (this._state == MENU_ENTERED) {
+            this.actor.background_color = ENTERED_MENU_COLOR;
+            this._arrow.set_opacity(0xFF/2);
+        } else {
+            this.actor.background_color = GenericDisplay.ITEM_DISPLAY_SELECTED_BACKGROUND_COLOR;
+            this._arrow.set_opacity(0xFF);
+        }
+        this.emit('state-changed')
+    }
+}
+Signals.addSignalMethods(MenuItem.prototype);
+
 /* This class represents a display containing a collection of application items.
  * The applications are sorted based on their popularity by default, and based on
  * their name if some search filter is applied.
@@ -147,8 +219,11 @@ AppDisplay.prototype = {
     _init : function(width, height, numberOfColumns, columnGap) {
         GenericDisplay.GenericDisplay.prototype._init.call(this, width, height, numberOfColumns, columnGap);
 
+        this._menus = [];
+        this._menuDisplays = [];
+
         // map<itemId, array of category names>
-        this._categories = {};
+        this._appCategories = {};
   
         let me = this;
         this._appMonitor = new Shell.AppMonitor();
@@ -158,12 +233,116 @@ AppDisplay.prototype = {
             // We still need to determine what events other than search can trigger
             // a change in the set of applications that are being shown while the
             // user in in the overlay mode, however let's redisplay just in case.
-            me._redisplay(false); 
+            me._redisplay(false);
+            me._redisplayMenus();
         });
 
         // Load the GAppInfos now so it doesn't slow down the first
         // transition into the overlay
         this._refreshCache();
+
+        this._focusInMenus = true;
+        this._activeMenuIndex = -1;
+        this._activeMenu = null;
+        this._activeMenuApps = null;
+        this._menuDisplay = new Big.Box({ orientation: Big.BoxOrientation.VERTICAL,
+                                          spacing: MENU_SPACING
+                                       });
+        this._redisplayMenus();
+
+        this.connect('expanded', Lang.bind(this, function (self) {
+            this._filterReset();
+        }));
+    },
+
+    moveRight: function() {
+        if (this._expanded && this._focusInMenu) {
+            this._focusInMenu = false;
+            this._activeMenu.setState(MENU_ENTERED);
+            this.selectFirstItem();
+        }
+    },
+
+    moveLeft: function() {
+        if (this._expanded && !this._focusInMenu) {
+            this._activeMenu.setState(MENU_SELECTED);
+            this.unsetSelected();
+            this._focusInMenu = true;
+        }
+    },
+
+    // Override genericDisplay.js
+    getSideArea: function() {
+        return this._menuDisplay;
+    },
+
+    selectUp: function() {
+        if (!(this._expanded && this._focusInMenu))
+            return GenericDisplay.GenericDisplay.prototype.selectUp.call(this);
+        this._selectMenuIndex(this._activeMenuIndex - 1);
+        return true;
+    },
+
+    selectDown: function() {
+        if (!(this._expanded && this._focusInMenu))
+            return GenericDisplay.GenericDisplay.prototype.selectDown.call(this);
+        this._selectMenuIndex(this._activeMenuIndex+1);
+        return true;
+    },
+
+    // Protected overrides
+
+    _filterActive: function() {
+        return !!this._search || this._activeMenuIndex >= 0;
+    },
+
+    _filterReset: function() {
+        GenericDisplay.GenericDisplay.prototype._filterReset.call(this);
+        if (this._activeMenu != null)
+            this._activeMenu.setState(MENU_UNSELECTED);
+        this._activeMenuIndex = -1;
+        this._activeMenu = null;
+        this._focusInMenu = true;
+    },
+
+    //// Private ////
+
+    _emitStateChange: function() {
+        this.emit('state-changed');
+    },
+
+    _selectMenuIndex: function(index) {
+        if (index < 0 || index >= this._menus.length)
+            return;
+        if (this._activeMenu != null)
+            this._activeMenu.setState(MENU_UNSELECTED);
+        this._activeMenu = this._menuDisplays[index];
+        this._activeMenu.setState(MENU_SELECTED);
+    },
+
+    _redisplayMenus: function() {
+        this._menuDisplay.remove_all();
+        for (let i = 0; i < this._menus.length; i++) {
+            let menu = this._menus[i];
+            let display = new MenuItem(menu.name, menu.id, menu.icon);
+            this._menuDisplays.push(display);
+            let menuIndex = i;
+            display.connect('state-changed', Lang.bind(this, function (display) {
+                let activated = display.getState() != MENU_UNSELECTED;
+                if (!activated && display == this._activeMenu) {
+                    this._activeMenuIndex = -1;
+                    this._activeMenu = null;
+                } else if (activated) {
+                    if (this._activeMenu != null)
+                        this._activeMenu.setState(MENU_SELECTED);
+                    this._activeMenuIndex = menuIndex;
+                    this._activeMenu = display;
+                    this._activeMenuApps = this._appMonitor.get_applications_for_menu(menu.id);
+                }
+                this._redisplay();
+            }));
+            this._menuDisplay.append(display.actor, 0);
+        }
     },
 
     //// Protected method overrides //// 
@@ -174,7 +353,10 @@ AppDisplay.prototype = {
         if (!this._appsStale)
             return;
         this._allItems = {};
-        this._categories = {}; 
+        this._appCategories = {};
+
+        this._menus = this._appMonitor.get_menus();
+
         let apps = Gio.app_info_get_all();
         for (let i = 0; i < apps.length; i++) {
             let appInfo = apps[i];
@@ -186,7 +368,7 @@ AppDisplay.prototype = {
             this._allItems[appId] = appInfo;
             // [] is returned if we could not get the categories or the list of categories was empty
             let categories = Shell.get_categories_for_desktop_file(appId);
-            this._categories[appId] = categories;
+            this._appCategories[appId] = categories;
         }
         this._appsStale = false;
     },
@@ -217,6 +399,25 @@ AppDisplay.prototype = {
     // Item info is expected to be GAppInfo.
     // Returns a boolean flag indicating if itemInfo is a match.
     _isInfoMatching : function(itemInfo, search) {
+        // Search takes precedence; not typically useful to search within a
+        // menu
+        if (this._activeMenu == null || search != "")
+            return this._isInfoMatchingSearch(itemInfo, search);
+        else
+            return this._isInfoMatchingMenu(itemInfo, search);
+    },
+
+    _isInfoMatchingMenu : function(itemInfo, search) {
+        let id = itemInfo.get_id();
+        for (let i = 0; i < this._activeMenuApps.length; i++) {
+            let activeId = this._activeMenuApps[i];
+            if (activeId == id)
+                return true;
+        }
+        return false;
+    },
+
+    _isInfoMatchingSearch: function(itemInfo, search) {
         if (search == null || search == '')
             return true;
 
@@ -239,8 +440,8 @@ AppDisplay.prototype = {
                 return true;
         }
 
-        // we expect this._categories.hasOwnProperty(itemInfo.get_id()) to always be true here     
-        let categories = this._categories[itemInfo.get_id()]; 
+        // we expect this._appCategories.hasOwnProperty(itemInfo.get_id()) to always be true here
+        let categories = this._appCategories[itemInfo.get_id()];
         for (let i = 0; i < categories.length; i++) {
             let category = categories[i].toLowerCase();
             if (category.indexOf(search) >= 0)
@@ -253,7 +454,7 @@ AppDisplay.prototype = {
     // Creates an AppDisplayItem based on itemInfo, which is expected be a GAppInfo object.
     _createDisplayItem: function(itemInfo) {
         return new AppDisplayItem(itemInfo, this._columnWidth);
-    } 
+    }
 };
 
 Signals.addSignalMethods(AppDisplay.prototype);
diff --git a/js/ui/genericDisplay.js b/js/ui/genericDisplay.js
index e5c75ec26..79215de93 100644
--- a/js/ui/genericDisplay.js
+++ b/js/ui/genericDisplay.js
@@ -415,6 +415,7 @@ function GenericDisplay(width, height, numberOfColumns, columnGap) {
 GenericDisplay.prototype = {
     _init : function(width, height, numberOfColumns, columnGap) {
         this._search = '';
+        this._expanded = false;
         this._width = null;
         this._height = null;
         this._columnWidth = null;
@@ -425,8 +426,10 @@ GenericDisplay.prototype = {
             this._columnGap = DEFAULT_COLUMN_GAP;
 
         this._maxItemsPerPage = null;
-        this._setDimensionsAndMaxItems(width, height);
         this._grid = new Tidy.Grid({width: this._width, height: this._height});
+
+        this._setDimensionsAndMaxItems(width, 0, height);
+
         this._grid.column_major = true;
         this._grid.column_gap = this._columnGap;
         // map<itemId, Object> where Object represents the item info
@@ -440,6 +443,9 @@ GenericDisplay.prototype = {
         this._pageDisplayed = 0;
         this._selectedIndex = -1;
         this._keepDisplayCurrent = false;
+        // These two are public - .actor is the normal "actor subclass" property,
+        // but we also expose a .displayControl actor which is separate.
+        // See also getSideArea.
         this.actor = this._grid;
         this.displayControl = new Big.Box({ background_color: ITEM_DISPLAY_BACKGROUND_COLOR,
                                             corner_radius: 4,
@@ -540,13 +546,23 @@ GenericDisplay.prototype = {
     },
 
     // Readjusts display layout and the items displayed based on the new dimensions.
-    updateDimensions: function(width, height, numberOfColumns) {
+    setExpanded: function(expanded, baseWidth, expandWidth, height, numberOfColumns) {
+        this._expanded = expanded;
         this._numberOfColumns = numberOfColumns;
-        this._setDimensionsAndMaxItems(width, height);
+        this._setDimensionsAndMaxItems(baseWidth, expandWidth, height);
         this._grid.width = this._width;
         this._grid.height = this._height;
         this._pageDisplayed = 0;
         this._displayMatchedItems(true);
+        let gridWidth = this._width;
+        let sideArea = this.getSideArea();
+        if (sideArea) {
+            if (expanded)
+                sideArea.show();
+            else
+                sideArea.hide();
+        }
+        this.emit('expanded');
     },
 
     // Updates the displayed items and makes the display actor visible.
@@ -559,10 +575,17 @@ GenericDisplay.prototype = {
     // Hides the display actor.
     hide: function() {
         this._grid.hide();
+        this._filterReset();
         this._removeAllDisplayItems();
         this._keepDisplayCurrent = false;
     },
 
+    // Returns an actor which acts as a sidebar; this is used for
+    // the applications category view
+    getSideArea: function () {
+        return null;
+    },
+
     //// Protected methods ////
 
     /*
@@ -691,13 +714,24 @@ GenericDisplay.prototype = {
             this._removeDisplayItem(itemId);
      },
 
+    // Return true if there's an active search or other constraint
+    // on the list
+    _filterActive: function() {
+        return this._search != "";
+    },
+
+    // Called when we are resetting state
+    _filterReset: function() {
+        this.unsetSelected();
+    },
+
     /*
      * Updates the displayed items, applying the search string if one exists.
      *
      * resetPage - indicates if the page selection should be reset when displaying the matching results.
      *             We reset the page selection when the change in results was initiated by the user by  
      *             entering a different search criteria or by viewing the results list in a different
-     *             size mode, but we keep the page selection the same if the results got updated on 
+     *             size mode, but we keep the page selection the same if the results got updated on
      *             their own while the user was browsing through the result pages.
      */
     _redisplay: function(resetPage) {
@@ -705,7 +739,7 @@ GenericDisplay.prototype = {
             return;
 
         this._refreshCache();
-        if (!this._search)
+        if (!this._filterActive())
             this._setDefaultList();
         else
             this._doSearchFilter();
@@ -754,18 +788,27 @@ GenericDisplay.prototype = {
 
     // Sets this._width, this._height, this._columnWidth, and this._maxItemsPerPage based on the 
     // space available for the display, number of columns, and the number of items it can fit.
-    _setDimensionsAndMaxItems: function(width, height) {
-        this._width = width; 
-        this._columnWidth = (this._width - this._columnGap * (this._numberOfColumns - 1)) / this._numberOfColumns; 
+    _setDimensionsAndMaxItems: function(baseWidth, expandWidth, height) {
+        this._width = baseWidth + expandWidth;
+        let gridWidth;
+        let sideArea = this.getSideArea();
+        if (this._expanded && sideArea) {
+            gridWidth = expandWidth;
+            sideArea.width = baseWidth;
+            sideArea.height = this._height;
+        } else {
+            gridWidth = this._width;
+        }
+        this._columnWidth = (gridWidth - this._columnGap * (this._numberOfColumns - 1)) / this._numberOfColumns;
         let maxItemsInColumn = Math.floor(height / ITEM_DISPLAY_HEIGHT);
         this._maxItemsPerPage =  maxItemsInColumn * this._numberOfColumns;
         this._height = maxItemsInColumn * ITEM_DISPLAY_HEIGHT;
+        this._grid.width = gridWidth;
+        this._grid.height = this._height;
     },
 
-    // Applies the search string to the list of items to find matches, and displays the matching items.
-    _doSearchFilter: function() {
+    _getSearchMatchedItems: function() {
         let matchedItemsForSearch = {};
-
         // Break the search up into terms, and search for each
         // individual term.  Keep track of the number of terms
         // each item matched.
@@ -783,6 +826,22 @@ GenericDisplay.prototype = {
                 }
             }
         }
+        return matchedItemsForSearch;
+    },
+
+    // Applies the search string to the list of items to find matches,
+    // and displays the matching items.
+    _doSearchFilter: function() {
+        let matchedItemsForSearch;
+
+        if (this._filterActive()) {
+            matchedItemsForSearch = this._getSearchMatchedItems();
+        } else {
+            matchedItemsForSearch = {};
+            for (let itemId in this._allItems) {
+                matchedItemsForSearch[itemId] = 1;
+            }
+        }
 
         this._matchedItems = [];
         for (itemId in matchedItemsForSearch) {
diff --git a/js/ui/overlay.js b/js/ui/overlay.js
index 819249c81..2a936816c 100644
--- a/js/ui/overlay.js
+++ b/js/ui/overlay.js
@@ -76,6 +76,11 @@ const ROWS_FOR_WORKSPACES_WIDE_SCREEN = 8;
 const WORKSPACES_X_FACTOR_ASIDE_MODE_WIDE_SCREEN = 5 - 0.25;
 const EXPANDED_SIDESHOW_COLUMNS_WIDE_SCREEN = 3;
 
+// A multi-state; PENDING is used during animations
+const STATE_ACTIVE = true;
+const STATE_PENDING_INACTIVE = false;
+const STATE_INACTIVE = false;
+
 let wideScreen = false;
 let displayGridColumnWidth = null;
 let displayGridRowHeight = null;
@@ -88,8 +93,8 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
     _init : function() {
         let me = this;
 
-        this._moreAppsMode = false;
-        this._moreDocsMode = false;
+        this._moreAppsMode = STATE_INACTIVE;
+        this._moreDocsMode = STATE_INACTIVE;
 
         let asideXFactor = wideScreen ? WORKSPACES_X_FACTOR_ASIDE_MODE_WIDE_SCREEN : WORKSPACES_X_FACTOR_ASIDE_MODE_REGULAR_SCREEN; 
         this._expandedSideshowColumns = wideScreen ? EXPANDED_SIDESHOW_COLUMNS_WIDE_SCREEN : EXPANDED_SIDESHOW_COLUMNS_REGULAR_SCREEN;       
@@ -181,7 +186,11 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
                 // too, but there doesn't seem to be any flickering if we first select 
                 // something in one display, but then unset the selection, and move
                 // it to the other display, so it's ok to do that.
-                if (me._appDisplay.hasSelected() && !me._appDisplay.selectUp() && me._docDisplay.hasItems()) {
+                if (me._moreAppsMode)
+                    me._appDisplay.selectUp();
+                else if (me._moreDocsMode)
+                    me._docDisplay.selectUp();
+                else if (me._appDisplay.hasSelected() && !me._appDisplay.selectUp() && me._docDisplay.hasItems()) {
                     me._appDisplay.unsetSelected();
                     me._docDisplay.selectLastItem();
                 } else if (me._docDisplay.hasSelected() && !me._docDisplay.selectUp() && me._appDisplay.hasItems()) {
@@ -190,7 +199,11 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
                 }
                 return true;
             } else if (symbol == Clutter.Down) {
-                if (me._appDisplay.hasSelected() && !me._appDisplay.selectDown() && me._docDisplay.hasItems()) {
+                if (me._moreAppsMode)
+                    me._appDisplay.selectDown();
+                else if (me._moreDocsMode)
+                    me._docDisplay.selectDown();
+                else if (me._appDisplay.hasSelected() && !me._appDisplay.selectDown() && me._docDisplay.hasItems()) {
                     me._appDisplay.unsetSelected();
                     me._docDisplay.selectFirstItem();
                 } else if (me._docDisplay.hasSelected() && !me._docDisplay.selectDown() && me._appDisplay.hasItems()) {
@@ -198,6 +211,20 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
                     me._appDisplay.selectFirstItem();
                 }
                 return true;
+            } else if (me._moreAppsMode && me._searchEntry.text == '') {
+                if (symbol == Clutter.Right) {
+                    me._appDisplay.moveRight();
+                    return true;
+                } else if (symbol == Clutter.Left) {
+                    me._appDisplay.moveLeft();
+                    return true;
+                }
+                return false;
+            } else if (symbol == Clutter.Right && me._searchEntry.text == '') {
+                if (me._appDisplay.hasSelected())
+                    me._setMoreAppsMode();
+                else
+                    me._setMoreDocsMode();
             }
             return false;
         });
@@ -219,8 +246,13 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
 
         this._itemDisplayHeight = global.screen_height - this._appsSection.y - SIDESHOW_SECTION_MISC_HEIGHT * 2 - bottomHeight;
         
+        this._appsContent = new Big.Box({ orientation: Big.BoxOrientation.HORIZONTAL });
+        this._appsSection.append(this._appsContent, Big.BoxPackFlags.EXPAND);
         this._appDisplay = new AppDisplay.AppDisplay(this._width, this._itemDisplayHeight / 2, SIDESHOW_COLUMNS, SIDESHOW_PAD);
-        this._appsSection.append(this._appDisplay.actor, Big.BoxPackFlags.EXPAND);
+        let sideArea = this._appDisplay.getSideArea();
+        sideArea.hide();
+        this._appsContent.append(sideArea, Big.BoxPackFlags.NONE);
+        this._appsContent.append(this._appDisplay.actor, Big.BoxPackFlags.EXPAND);
 
         let moreAppsBox = new Big.Box({x_align: Big.BoxAlignment.END});
         this._moreAppsLink = new Link.Link({ color: SIDESHOW_TEXT_COLOR,
@@ -249,7 +281,7 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
                                             height: LABEL_HEIGHT});
         this._docsSection.append(this._docsText, Big.BoxPackFlags.EXPAND);
 
-        this._docDisplay = new DocDisplay.DocDisplay(this._width, this._itemDisplayHeight - this._appDisplay.actor.height, SIDESHOW_COLUMNS, SIDESHOW_PAD);
+        this._docDisplay = new DocDisplay.DocDisplay(this._width, this._itemDisplayHeight - this._appsContent.height, SIDESHOW_COLUMNS, SIDESHOW_PAD);
         this._docsSection.append(this._docDisplay.actor, Big.BoxPackFlags.EXPAND);
 
         let moreDocsBox = new Big.Box({x_align: Big.BoxAlignment.END});
@@ -328,7 +360,8 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
     show: function() {
         let global = Shell.Global.get();
 
-        this._appDisplay.show(); 
+        this._appDisplay.show();
+        this._appsContent.show();
         this._docDisplay.show();
         this._appDisplay.selectFirstItem();   
         if (!this._appDisplay.hasSelected())
@@ -339,7 +372,7 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
     },
 
     hide: function() {
-        this._appDisplay.hide(); 
+        this._appsContent.hide();
         this._docDisplay.hide();
         this._searchEntry.text = '';
         this._unsetMoreAppsMode();
@@ -368,7 +401,9 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
         if (this._moreAppsMode)
             return;
         
-        this._moreAppsMode = true;
+        // No corresponding STATE_PENDING_ACTIVE, because we call updateAppsSection
+        // immediately below.
+        this._moreAppsMode = STATE_ACTIVE;
 
         this._docsSection.set_clip(0, 0, this._docsSection.width, this._docsSection.height);
 
@@ -377,9 +412,9 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
 
         // Move the selection to the applications section if it was in the docs section.
         this._docDisplay.unsetSelected();
-        if (!this._appDisplay.hasSelected())
-            this._appDisplay.selectFirstItem();
-        
+        // Because we have menus in applications, we want to reset the selection for applications
+        // as well.  The default is no menu.
+        this._appDisplay.unsetSelected();
         this._updateAppsSection();
  
         Tweener.addTween(this._docsSection,
@@ -389,7 +424,7 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
                            transition: "easeOutQuad"
                          });
 
-        // We need to be expandig the clip on the applications section so that the first additional
+        // We need to expand the clip on the applications section so that the first additional
         // application to be displayed does not appear abruptly. 
         Tweener.addTween(this._appsSection,
                          { clipHeightBottom: this._itemDisplayHeight + SIDESHOW_SECTION_MISC_HEIGHT * 2 - LABEL_HEIGHT - SIDESHOW_SECTION_SPACING,
@@ -407,7 +442,7 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
         if (!this._moreAppsMode)
             return;
 
-        this._moreAppsMode = false;
+        this._moreAppsMode = STATE_PENDING_INACTIVE;
 
         this._moreAppsLink.actor.hide();
 
@@ -447,8 +482,11 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
     // Removes the clip from the applications section to reveal the 'More...' text. 
     // Removes the clip from the documents section, so that the clip does not limit the size of 
     // the section if it is expanded later.
-    _onAppsSectionReduced: function() { 
-        this._updateAppsSection(); 
+    _onAppsSectionReduced: function() {
+        if (this._moreAppsMode != STATE_PENDING_INACTIVE)
+            return;
+        this._moreAppsMode = STATE_INACTIVE;
+        this._updateAppsSection();
         if (!this._appDisplay.hasItems())
             this._docDisplay.selectFirstItem();
         this._appsSection.remove_clip();
@@ -460,15 +498,18 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
     // changed, which is ensured by _setMoreAppsMode() and _unsetMoreAppsMode() functions. 
     _updateAppsSection: function() {
         if (this._moreAppsMode) {
-            this._appDisplay.updateDimensions(this._width + this._additionalWidth, 
-                                              this._itemDisplayHeight + SIDESHOW_SECTION_MISC_HEIGHT,
-                                              this._expandedSideshowColumns);
+            // Subtract one from columns since we are displaying menus
+            this._appDisplay.setExpanded(true, this._width, this._additionalWidth,
+                                         this._itemDisplayHeight + SIDESHOW_SECTION_MISC_HEIGHT,
+                                         this._expandedSideshowColumns - 1);
             this._moreAppsLink.setText("Less...");
-            this._appsSection.insert_after(this._appsDisplayControlBox, this._appDisplay.actor, Big.BoxPackFlags.NONE); 
+            this._appsSection.insert_after(this._appsDisplayControlBox, this._appsContent, Big.BoxPackFlags.NONE);
             this.actor.add_actor(this._details);
             this._details.append(this._appDisplay.selectedItemDetails, Big.BoxPackFlags.NONE);
         } else {
-            this._appDisplay.updateDimensions(this._width, this._appsSectionDefaultHeight - SIDESHOW_SECTION_MISC_HEIGHT, SIDESHOW_COLUMNS);
+            this._appDisplay.setExpanded(false, this._width, 0,
+                                         this._appsSectionDefaultHeight - SIDESHOW_SECTION_MISC_HEIGHT,
+                                         SIDESHOW_COLUMNS);
             this._moreAppsLink.setText("More...");
             this._appsSection.remove_actor(this._appsDisplayControlBox);
             this.actor.remove_actor(this._details);
@@ -532,7 +573,7 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
          
         this._docsSection.set_clip(0, 0, this._docsSection.width, this._docsSection.height);
 
-        this._appDisplay.show();
+        this._appsContent.show();
 
         Tweener.addTween(this._docsSection,
                          { y: this._docsSection.y + this._appsSectionDefaultHeight,
@@ -555,7 +596,7 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
     // Hides the applications section so that it doesn't get updated on new searches.
     _onDocsSectionExpanded: function() {
         this._docsSection.remove_clip(); 
-        this._appDisplay.hide();
+        this._appsContent.hide();
     },
 
     // Updates the documents section to contain fewer items. Selects the first item in the 
@@ -576,15 +617,17 @@ Sideshow.prototype = {
     // changed, which is ensured by _setMoreDocsMode() and _unsetMoreDocsMode() functions. 
     _updateDocsSection: function() {
         if (this._moreDocsMode) {
-            this._docDisplay.updateDimensions(this._width + this._additionalWidth, 
-                                              this._itemDisplayHeight + SIDESHOW_SECTION_MISC_HEIGHT,
-                                              this._expandedSideshowColumns);
+            this._docDisplay.setExpanded(true, this._width + this._additionalWidth,
+                                         this._itemDisplayHeight + SIDESHOW_SECTION_MISC_HEIGHT,
+                                         this._expandedSideshowColumns);
             this._moreDocsLink.setText("Less...");
             this._docsSection.insert_after(this._docsDisplayControlBox, this._docDisplay.actor, Big.BoxPackFlags.NONE); 
             this.actor.add_actor(this._details);
             this._details.append(this._docDisplay.selectedItemDetails, Big.BoxPackFlags.NONE);
         } else {
-            this._docDisplay.updateDimensions(this._width, this._docsSectionDefaultHeight - SIDESHOW_SECTION_MISC_HEIGHT, SIDESHOW_COLUMNS);
+            this._docDisplay.setExpanded(false, this._width,
+                                         this._docsSectionDefaultHeight - SIDESHOW_SECTION_MISC_HEIGHT,
+                                         SIDESHOW_COLUMNS);
             this._moreDocsLink.setText("More...");
             this._docsSection.remove_actor(this._docsDisplayControlBox); 
             this.actor.remove_actor(this._details); 
diff --git a/src/Makefile.am b/src/Makefile.am
index 9b2da575f..688f2798d 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/Makefile.am
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ libgnome_shell_la_SOURCES =			\
 	gnome-shell-plugin.c			\
 	shell-app-monitor.c			\
 	shell-app-monitor.h			\
+	shell-arrow.c			\
+	shell-arrow.h			\
 	shell-gtkwindow-actor.c			\
 	shell-gtkwindow-actor.h			\
 	shell-process.c				\
diff --git a/src/shell-app-monitor.c b/src/shell-app-monitor.c
index 3a0ea9fa9..570829019 100644
--- a/src/shell-app-monitor.c
+++ b/src/shell-app-monitor.c
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@
 
 #include <gio/gio.h>
 
+#define GMENU_I_KNOW_THIS_IS_UNSTABLE
+#include <gmenu-tree.h>
+
 enum {
    PROP_0,
 
@@ -17,16 +20,41 @@ enum {
 static guint signals[LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
 
 struct _ShellAppMonitorPrivate {
-  GList *desktop_dir_monitors;
+  GMenuTree *tree;
+  GMenuTreeDirectory *trunk;
+
+  GList *cached_menus;
 };
 
 static void shell_app_monitor_finalize (GObject *object);
-static void on_monitor_changed (GFileMonitor *monitor, GFile *file,
-				GFile *other_file, GFileMonitorEvent event_type,
-				gpointer user_data);
+static void on_tree_changed (GMenuTree *tree, gpointer user_data);
+static void reread_menus (ShellAppMonitor *self);
 
 G_DEFINE_TYPE(ShellAppMonitor, shell_app_monitor, G_TYPE_OBJECT);
 
+static gpointer
+shell_app_menu_entry_copy (gpointer entryp)
+{
+  ShellAppMenuEntry *entry;
+  ShellAppMenuEntry *copy;
+  entry = entryp;
+  copy = g_new0 (ShellAppMenuEntry, 1);
+  copy->name = g_strdup (entry->name);
+  copy->id = g_strdup (entry->id);
+  copy->icon = g_strdup (entry->icon);
+  return copy;
+}
+
+static void
+shell_app_menu_entry_free (gpointer entryp)
+{
+  ShellAppMenuEntry *entry = entryp;
+  g_free (entry->name);
+  g_free (entry->id);
+  g_free (entry->icon);
+  g_free (entry);
+}
+
 static void shell_app_monitor_class_init(ShellAppMonitorClass *klass)
 {
   GObjectClass *gobject_class = (GObjectClass *)klass;
@@ -48,33 +76,18 @@ static void shell_app_monitor_class_init(ShellAppMonitorClass *klass)
 static void
 shell_app_monitor_init (ShellAppMonitor *self)
 {
-  const gchar *const *iter;
-  self->priv = G_TYPE_INSTANCE_GET_PRIVATE (self,
-					    SHELL_TYPE_APP_MONITOR,
-					    ShellAppMonitorPrivate);
-  for (iter = g_get_system_data_dirs (); *iter; iter++) 
-    {
-      char *app_path;
-      GFile *dir;
-      GFileMonitor *monitor;
-      GError *error = NULL;
+  ShellAppMonitorPrivate *priv;
+  self->priv = priv = G_TYPE_INSTANCE_GET_PRIVATE (self,
+                                                   SHELL_TYPE_APP_MONITOR,
+                                                   ShellAppMonitorPrivate);
 
-      app_path = g_build_filename (*iter, "applications", NULL);
+  priv->tree = gmenu_tree_lookup ("applications.menu", GMENU_TREE_FLAGS_NONE);
 
-      dir = g_file_new_for_path (app_path);
-      g_free (app_path);
-      monitor = g_file_monitor_directory (dir, 0, NULL, &error);
-      if (!monitor) {
-        g_warning ("failed to monitor %s", error->message);
-        g_clear_error (&error);
-        continue;
-      }
-      g_signal_connect (monitor, "changed", G_CALLBACK (on_monitor_changed), self);
-      self->priv->desktop_dir_monitors
-        = g_list_prepend (self->priv->desktop_dir_monitors,
-                          monitor);
-      g_object_unref (dir);
-    }
+  priv->trunk = gmenu_tree_get_root_directory (priv->tree);
+
+  gmenu_tree_add_monitor (priv->tree, on_tree_changed, self);
+
+  reread_menus (self);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -82,18 +95,112 @@ shell_app_monitor_finalize (GObject *object)
 {
   ShellAppMonitor *self = SHELL_APP_MONITOR (object);
 
-  g_list_foreach (self->priv->desktop_dir_monitors, (GFunc) g_object_unref, NULL);
-  g_list_free (self->priv->desktop_dir_monitors);
-
   G_OBJECT_CLASS (shell_app_monitor_parent_class)->finalize(object);
 }
 
 static void
-on_monitor_changed (GFileMonitor *monitor, GFile *file,
-		    GFile *other_file, GFileMonitorEvent event_type,
-		    gpointer user_data)
+reread_menus (ShellAppMonitor *self)
+{
+  GSList *entries = gmenu_tree_directory_get_contents (self->priv->trunk);
+  GSList *iter;
+  ShellAppMonitorPrivate *priv = self->priv;
+
+  g_list_foreach (self->priv->cached_menus, (GFunc)shell_app_menu_entry_free, NULL);
+  g_list_free (self->priv->cached_menus);
+  self->priv->cached_menus = NULL;
+
+  for (iter = entries; iter; iter = iter->next)
+    {
+      GMenuTreeEntry *entry = iter->data;
+      ShellAppMenuEntry *shell_entry = g_new0 (ShellAppMenuEntry, 1);
+
+      shell_entry->name = g_strdup (gmenu_tree_entry_get_name (entry));
+      shell_entry->id = g_strdup (gmenu_tree_entry_get_desktop_file_id (entry));
+      shell_entry->icon = g_strdup (gmenu_tree_entry_get_icon (entry));
+
+      priv->cached_menus = g_list_prepend (priv->cached_menus, shell_entry);
+
+      gmenu_tree_item_unref (entry);
+    }
+  priv->cached_menus = g_list_reverse (priv->cached_menus);
+
+  g_slist_free (entries);
+}
+
+static void
+on_tree_changed (GMenuTree *monitor, gpointer user_data)
 {
   ShellAppMonitor *self = SHELL_APP_MONITOR (user_data);
 
   g_signal_emit (self, signals[CHANGED], 0);
+
+  reread_menus (self);
+}
+
+GType
+shell_app_menu_entry_get_type (void)
+{
+  static GType gtype = G_TYPE_INVALID;
+  if (gtype == G_TYPE_INVALID)
+    {
+      gtype = g_boxed_type_register_static ("ShellAppMenuEntry",
+          shell_app_menu_entry_copy,
+          shell_app_menu_entry_free);
+    }
+  return gtype;
+}
+
+/**
+ * shell_app_monitor_get_applications_for_menu:
+ *
+ * Return value: (transfer full) (element-type utf8): List of desktop file ids
+ */
+GList *
+shell_app_monitor_get_applications_for_menu (ShellAppMonitor *monitor,
+                                             const char *menu)
+{
+  GList *ret = NULL;
+  GSList *contents;
+  GSList *iter;
+  char *path;
+  GMenuTreeDirectory *menu_entry;
+
+  path = g_strdup_printf ("/%s", menu);
+  menu_entry = gmenu_tree_get_directory_from_path (monitor->priv->tree, path);
+  g_free (path);
+  g_assert (menu_entry != NULL);
+
+  contents = gmenu_tree_directory_get_contents (menu_entry);
+
+  for (iter = contents; iter; iter = iter->next)
+    {
+      GMenuTreeItem *item = iter->data;
+      switch (gmenu_tree_item_get_type (item))
+        {
+          case GMENU_TREE_ITEM_ENTRY:
+            {
+              GMenuTreeEntry *entry = (GMenuTreeEntry *)item;
+              const char *id = gmenu_tree_entry_get_desktop_file_id (entry);
+              ret = g_list_prepend (ret, g_strdup (id));
+            }
+            break;
+          default:
+            break;
+        }
+      gmenu_tree_item_unref (item);
+    }
+  g_slist_free (contents);
+
+  return ret;
+}
+
+/**
+ * shell_app_monitor_get_menus:
+ *
+ * Return value: (transfer none) (element-type AppMenuEntry): List of toplevel menus
+ */
+GList *
+shell_app_monitor_get_menus (ShellAppMonitor *monitor)
+{
+  return monitor->priv->cached_menus;
 }
diff --git a/src/shell-app-monitor.h b/src/shell-app-monitor.h
index e5d8923cb..9a777428e 100644
--- a/src/shell-app-monitor.h
+++ b/src/shell-app-monitor.h
@@ -31,4 +31,18 @@ struct _ShellAppMonitorClass
 GType shell_app_monitor_get_type (void) G_GNUC_CONST;
 ShellAppMonitor* shell_app_monitor_new(void);
 
+GList *shell_app_monitor_get_applications_for_menu (ShellAppMonitor *monitor, const char *menu);
+
+typedef struct _ShellAppMenuEntry ShellAppMenuEntry;
+
+struct _ShellAppMenuEntry {
+  char *name;
+  char *id;
+  char *icon;
+};
+
+GType shell_app_menu_entry_get_type (void);
+
+GList *shell_app_monitor_get_menus (ShellAppMonitor *monitor);
+
 #endif /* __SHELL_APP_MONITOR_H__ */
diff --git a/src/shell-arrow.c b/src/shell-arrow.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1d961f3b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/shell-arrow.c
@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+/* -*- mode: C; c-file-style: "gnu"; indent-tabs-mode: nil; -*- */
+
+#include "shell-arrow.h"
+
+#include <clutter/clutter.h>
+#include <gtk/gtk.h>
+#include <cairo.h>
+
+enum {
+   PROP_0,
+
+   PROP_DIRECTION
+};
+
+G_DEFINE_TYPE(ShellArrow, shell_arrow, CLUTTER_TYPE_CAIRO_TEXTURE);
+
+struct _ShellArrowPrivate {
+  GtkArrowType direction;
+};
+
+static void shell_arrow_redraw (ShellArrow *self);
+
+static void
+shell_arrow_set_property (GObject         *object,
+                          guint            prop_id,
+                          const GValue    *value,
+                          GParamSpec      *pspec)
+{
+  ShellArrow *self = SHELL_ARROW (object);
+
+  switch (prop_id)
+    {
+    case PROP_DIRECTION:
+      self->priv->direction = g_value_get_enum (value);
+      break;
+
+    default:
+      G_OBJECT_WARN_INVALID_PROPERTY_ID (object, prop_id, pspec);
+      break;
+    }
+
+  shell_arrow_redraw (self);
+}
+
+static void
+shell_arrow_get_property (GObject         *object,
+                                     guint            prop_id,
+                                     GValue          *value,
+                                     GParamSpec      *pspec)
+{
+  ShellArrow *self = SHELL_ARROW (object);
+
+  switch (prop_id)
+    {
+    case PROP_DIRECTION:
+      g_value_set_enum (value, self->priv->direction);
+      break;
+
+    default:
+      G_OBJECT_WARN_INVALID_PROPERTY_ID (object, prop_id, pspec);
+      break;
+    }
+}
+
+static void
+shell_arrow_redraw (ShellArrow *self)
+{
+  cairo_t *cr;
+  guint width, height;
+
+  g_object_get (G_OBJECT (self), "surface-width", &width,
+                                 "surface-height", &height,
+                                 NULL);
+
+  if (width == 0)
+    return;
+
+  cr = clutter_cairo_texture_create (CLUTTER_CAIRO_TEXTURE (self));
+
+  cairo_set_source_rgb (cr, 1, 1, 1);
+
+  switch (self->priv->direction)
+  {
+    case GTK_ARROW_RIGHT:
+      cairo_move_to (cr, 0, 0);
+      cairo_line_to (cr, width, height*0.5);
+      cairo_line_to (cr, 0, height);
+      break;
+    case GTK_ARROW_LEFT:
+      cairo_move_to (cr, width, 0);
+      cairo_line_to (cr, 0, height*0.5);
+      cairo_line_to (cr, width, height);
+      break;
+    case GTK_ARROW_UP:
+      cairo_move_to (cr, 0, height);
+      cairo_line_to (cr, width*0.5, 0);
+      cairo_line_to (cr, width, height);
+      break;
+    case GTK_ARROW_DOWN:
+      cairo_move_to (cr, 0, 0);
+      cairo_line_to (cr, width*0.5, height);
+      cairo_line_to (cr, width, height);
+      break;
+    case GTK_ARROW_NONE:
+    default:
+      break;
+  }
+
+  cairo_close_path (cr);
+  cairo_fill (cr);
+
+  cairo_destroy (cr);
+}
+
+static void
+shell_arrow_class_init (ShellArrowClass *klass)
+{
+  GObjectClass *object_class = G_OBJECT_CLASS (klass);
+
+  g_type_class_add_private (klass, sizeof (ShellArrowPrivate));
+
+  object_class->get_property = shell_arrow_get_property;
+  object_class->set_property = shell_arrow_set_property;
+
+  g_object_class_install_property (object_class,
+                                   PROP_DIRECTION,
+                                   g_param_spec_enum ("direction",
+                                                      "Direction",
+                                                      "Direction",
+                                                      GTK_TYPE_ARROW_TYPE,
+                                                      GTK_ARROW_NONE,
+                                                      G_PARAM_READWRITE));
+}
+
+static void
+shell_arrow_init (ShellArrow *actor)
+{
+  actor->priv = G_TYPE_INSTANCE_GET_PRIVATE (actor, SHELL_TYPE_ARROW,
+                                             ShellArrowPrivate);
+  g_signal_connect (actor, "notify::surface-width", G_CALLBACK (shell_arrow_redraw), NULL);
+}
diff --git a/src/shell-arrow.h b/src/shell-arrow.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..500d201ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/shell-arrow.h
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+#ifndef __SHELL_ARROW_H__
+#define __SHELL_ARROW_H__
+
+#include <clutter/clutter.h>
+#include <gtk/gtk.h>
+
+#define SHELL_TYPE_ARROW                 (shell_arrow_get_type ())
+#define SHELL_ARROW(obj)                 (G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE_CAST ((obj), SHELL_TYPE_ARROW, ShellArrow))
+#define SHELL_ARROW_CLASS(klass)         (G_TYPE_CHECK_CLASS_CAST ((klass), SHELL_TYPE_ARROW, ShellArrowClass))
+#define SHELL_IS_ARROW(obj)              (G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE_TYPE ((obj), SHELL_TYPE_ARROW))
+#define SHELL_IS_ARROW_CLASS(klass)      (G_TYPE_CHECK_CLASS_TYPE ((klass), SHELL_TYPE_ARROW))
+#define SHELL_ARROW_GET_CLASS(obj)       (G_TYPE_INSTANCE_GET_CLASS ((obj), SHELL_TYPE_ARROW, ShellArrowClass))
+
+typedef struct _ShellArrow        ShellArrow;
+typedef struct _ShellArrowClass   ShellArrowClass;
+
+typedef struct _ShellArrowPrivate ShellArrowPrivate;
+
+struct _ShellArrow
+{
+    ClutterCairoTexture parent;
+
+    ShellArrowPrivate *priv;
+};
+
+struct _ShellArrowClass
+{
+    ClutterCairoTextureClass parent_class;
+};
+
+GType shell_arrow_get_type (void) G_GNUC_CONST;
+
+#endif /* __SHELL_ARROW_H__ */