An apparatus for processing visual information includes a controller to control display of information in an application window based on first visual information stored in a buffer and second visual information received from one or more sources. The controller outputs the first visual information for display in a first area of the application window and outputs the second visual information for simultaneous display in a second area of the application window. The first visual information is visual information that does not change between a first time and a second time, and the second visual information is visual information that changes between the first time and the second time. The controller may be different from a central processing unit of a host device.