In an electronic device, a method of enabling a first application to employ an action/data handler of a second application includes registering the handler of the second application, receiving an incoming request for the handler from the first application, matching the handler in the request to the handler registered by the second application, delivering the request to the second application for execution and returning a result of execution to the first application. An electronic device comprises an operating system supporting i) an application layer that includes one or more applications having action/data type handlers. The electronic device also includes ii) an exchange manager interfacing with the application layer to provide a central location for registry of the handlers of the one or more applications, and iii) transports coupled to the application layer and exchange manager and adapted to receive incoming requests to employ the handlers of the one or more applications.