Abstract: A system and method for accommodating various device and application security levels collects authentication data such as voice and fingerprint in advance of opening an application or process potentially requiring different security than the device itself requires. The device is then able to execute a user's voiced command, request or query without further user actions if the command, request or query is related to an application or process for which the already-gathered authentication data is sufficient.

Abstract: A method and electronic device that enables quick presentation of user briefs on the electronic device includes: receiving, at the electronic device, an informational brief (IB) request (IBR) input that includes an identifier of a topic and a trigger that causes the electronic device to open an IB content screen that temporarily presents specific information corresponding to the topic. In response to receipt of the IB input, the method further includes: retrieving the IB content screen, with content that includes at least one of the specific information; presenting the IB content screen on the electronic device; monitoring an elapsed presentation time for the IB content screen on the electronic device; comparing the elapsed presentation time against a time limit allocated for presenting the IB content screen; and in response to expiration of the time limit, closing the IB content screen to return the device to its previous operating state.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, at an information handling device, an indication to initiate a conversational session with a user; receiving, from the user, a query input; completing, using a processor, a function associated with the received query input; and sustaining, at the information handling device, the conversational session after completing the function. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for accommodating various device and application security levels collects authentication data such as voice and fingerprint in advance of opening an application or process potentially requiring different security than the device itself requires. The device is then able to execute a user's voiced command, request or query without further user actions if the command, request or query is related to an application or process for which the already-gathered authentication data is sufficient.

Abstract: A portable electronic communication device includes a user input receiver, one or more user outputs, and a processor programmed to receive user input from the user input receiver and to determine based on the user input whether the user desires the device to enter a private mode. The device alters communications from the device via the one or more user outputs while in the private mode, and enters the private mode if the user input indicates that the user desires the device to enter the private mode. While in the private mode, the device may alter the manner in which it communicates to the user.

Abstract: An electronic device (200) includes a user interface (205), a communication circuit (206), and an audio capture device (212) to receive ambient audio signals from an environment about the electronic device. A voice control interface engine (214) is operable with the audio capture device to process signals received from the audio capture device to identify at least some speech from the ambient audio signals. One or more processors (203) are operable with the voice control interface engine to compute a noise index as a function of the ambient audio signals and the at least some speech. The one or more processors can optionally identify a source of the at least some speech. Where the noise index exceeds a predefined criterion, the one or more processors can execute a communication operation on one or more of the user interface or the communication circuit.

Abstract: A portable electronic communication device includes a user input receiver, one or more user outputs, and a processor programmed to receive user input from the user input receiver and to determine based on the user input whether the user desires the device to enter a private mode. The device alters communications from the device via the one or more user outputs while in the private mode, and enters the private mode if the user input indicates that the user desires the device to enter the private mode. While in the private mode, the device may alter the manner in which it communicates to the user.

Abstract: A method and electronic device that enables quick presentation of user briefs on the electronic device includes: receiving, at the electronic device, an informational brief (IB) request (IBR) input that includes an identifier of a topic and a trigger that causes the electronic device to open an IB content screen that temporarily presents specific information corresponding to the topic. In response to receipt of the IB input, the method further includes: retrieving the IB content screen, with content that includes at least one of the specific information; presenting the IB content screen on the electronic device; monitoring an elapsed presentation time for the IB content screen on the electronic device; comparing the elapsed presentation time against a time limit allocated for presenting the IB content screen; and in response to expiration of the time limit, closing the IB content screen to return the device to its previous operating state.

Abstract: A portable electronic communication device includes a user input receiver, one or more user outputs, and a processor programmed to receive user input from the user input receiver and to determine based on the user input whether the user desires the device to enter a private mode. The device alters communications from the device via the one or more user outputs while in the private mode, and enters the private mode if the user input indicates that the user desires the device to enter the private mode. While in the private mode, the device may alter the manner in which it communicates to the user.

Abstract: An electronic device (200) includes a user interface (205), a communication circuit (206), and an audio capture device (212) to receive ambient audio signals from an environment about the electronic device. A voice control interface engine (214) is operable with the audio capture device to process signals received from the audio capture device to identify at least some speech from the ambient audio signals. One or more processors (203) are operable with the voice control interface engine to compute a noise index as a function of the ambient audio signals and the at least some speech. The one or more processors can optionally identify a source of the at least some speech. Where the noise index exceeds a predefined criterion, the one or more processors can execute a communication operation on one or more of the user interface or the communication circuit.