I show my infinte progress bar in the action bar \"as usual\":
requestWindowFeature(Window.FEATURE_INDETERMINATE_PROGRESS);
...
setProgressBarIndeterminateVisibi
What you can do is to bring up an invisible dialog and prevent it from being cancellable. It will show whatever is underneath it but disable all underlying user interaction. Then once you are done with your business you simply dismiss it and go on with your life:
Dialog mOverlayDialog = new Dialog(mContext, android.R.style.Theme_Panel); //display an invisible overlay dialog to prevent user interaction and pressing back
mOverlayDialog.setCancelable(false);
mOverlayDialog.show();