Abstract: In aspects of variable concurrent access to content of a device by multiple devices, content of a primary device is detected as being accessed concurrently by a primary user via the primary device and by a secondary user via a secondary device communicatively coupled to the primary device. Unrestricted access to the content of the primary device is provided to the primary device and restricted access to the content of the primary device is provided to the secondary device. The restricted access prevents the secondary user from accessing a subset of the content of the primary device. A first portion of the content of the primary device is output via the primary device. Further, a second portion of the content of the primary device is caused to be output by the secondary device while the primary device outputs the first portion of the content.

Abstract: The present application provides a method and a user device for monitoring a use condition. The method includes determining a baseline level of performance for each of one or more elements of the device including a determined replacement threshold level. The method further includes running a diagnostic determining the current performance of at least some of the one or more elements for which a baseline level of performance has been determined, wherein the running of the diagnostic includes a diagnostic determination triggered by a detected non-standard use condition. The current performance of the at least some of the one or more elements is compared to the determined baseline level performance for the respective ones of the one or more elements of the user device. When the determined current performance of at least one of the one or more elements falls below the determined replacement threshold level, the user is notified of a need for service of the user device.

Abstract: The present application provides a method and a user device for monitoring a use condition. The method includes determining a baseline level of performance for each of one or more elements of the device including a determined replacement threshold level. The method further includes running a diagnostic determining the current performance of at least some of the one or more elements for which a baseline level of performance has been determined, wherein the running of the diagnostic includes a diagnostic determination triggered by a detected non-standard use condition. The current performance of the at least some of the one or more elements is compared to the determined baseline level performance for the respective ones of the one or more elements of the user device. When the determined current performance of at least one of the one or more elements falls below the determined replacement threshold level, the user is notified of a need for service of the user device.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an ability to synchronize notifications with media playback. In one or more embodiments, when a user is consuming content, such as music, television, a game, an audible notification can be synchronized with the user's content consumption experience. For example, various embodiments can detect what type of content the user is consuming and changes in the content. For example, when the content is music, various embodiments can detect when the music changes or stops, and can then provide audible notifications to the user. Audible notifications can pertain to notifications associated with incoming messages, calls, and other information such as passive assistance notifications.

Abstract: Various embodiments receive, by a personal assistant embodied on a computing device, a verbal instruction. The personal assistant ascertains whether the verbal instruction is intact. Responsive to the verbal instruction not being received intact, noise in an ambient environment around the computing device is monitored and responsive to the noise in the ambient environment being below a noise threshold, clarification of the verbal instruction is requested.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an ability to synchronize notifications with media playback. In one or more embodiments, when a user is consuming content, such as music, television, a game, an audible notification can be synchronized with the user's content consumption experience. For example, various embodiments can detect what type of content the user is consuming and changes in the content. For example, when the content is music, various embodiments can detect when the music changes or stops, and can then provide audible notifications to the user. Audible notifications can pertain to notifications associated with incoming messages, calls, and other information such as passive assistance notifications.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a display (102). The electronic device can also include a user interface (110) to detect gesture input. One or more control circuits (116), operable with the display and the user interface, can detect a predefined gesture input (401) and alter a timer (122) controlling a duration in which the display is in an operational mode. This allows a user (300) to make a quick gesture to extend the time the display will be active without interaction so that the user can read long documents or other items without the display turning OFF.

Abstract: A method 400 and apparatus for setting a notification readout mode based on proximity detection includes an electronic computing device configured to determine 402 that a notification readout function is enabled on the electronic computing device. The electronic computing device is further configured to determine 404 a proximity status for the electronic computing device using at least one sensor of the electronic computing device and to set 410, based on the determined proximity status, a notification readout mode for the electronic computing device.

Abstract: A method 400 and apparatus for setting a notification readout mode based on proximity detection includes an electronic computing device configured to determine 402 that a notification readout function is enabled on the electronic computing device. The electronic computing device is further configured to determine 404 a proximity status for the electronic computing device using at least one sensor of the electronic computing device and to set 410, based on the determined proximity status, a notification readout mode for the electronic computing device.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a display (102). The electronic device can also include a user interface (110) to detect gesture input. One or more control circuits (116), operable with the display and the user interface, can detect a predefined gesture input (401) and alter a timer (122) controlling a duration in which the display is in an operational mode. This allows a user (300) to make a quick gesture to extend the time the display will be active without interaction so that the user can read long documents or other items without the display turning OFF.