Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more sensors, one or more processors operable with the one or more sensors, one or more extendable gripping feet, and an actuation engine operable to extend and retract the one or more extendable gripping feet. The one or more sensors detect a condition of the electronic device and, in response to the one or more sensors detecting the condition, the one or more processors cause the actuation engine to transition the one or more extendable gripping feet from a retracted position to an extended position where the one or more extendable gripping feet extend distally away from the electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more sensors, one or more processors operable with the one or more sensors, one or more extendable gripping feet, and an actuation engine operable to extend and retract the one or more extendable gripping feet. The one or more sensors detect a condition of the electronic device and, in response to the one or more sensors detecting the condition, the one or more processors cause the actuation engine to transition the one or more extendable gripping feet from a retracted position to an extended position where the one or more extendable gripping feet extend distally away from the electronic device.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed that presents, to a user of a device, content items accessible from the device with the content items being identified as familiar to an actual user of the device. In addition, one or more comparable items are also presented with the comparable items being identified as unfamiliar to the actual user of the device. A response is received from the user at the device that differentiates the content items the comparable items with the user being authenticated, or not, based on the response.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, program products, and systems are disclosed for dynamically determining recipients of electronic messages. An apparatus includes a processor and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to evaluate one or more characteristics of a received electronic message to determine a context of the electronic message. The code is executable by the processor to determine, based on the determined context of the electronic message, one or more users who are target recipients of the electronic message. The code is executable by the processor to forward the electronic message to the determined one or more target recipients.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a computer enclosure with a first fan, a second fan, a fan controller, and an input for receiving a signal from a microphone indicating an amount of noise at a target location. The apparatus further includes a first actuator coupled to the first fan for adjusting an axial position of the first fan, wherein the controller controls the operation of the first actuator to position the first fan to reduce the noise indicated by the signal from the microphone with the first and second fans in operation. The microphone senses sound pressure and the controller automatically adjusts a position of one or more fans using an actuator to change the distance from the fan to the microphone, which may be co-located with a user, to provide destructive interference at the location of the microphone.

Abstract: For validating information provided in a conversation, apparatus, methods, and program products are disclosed. The apparatus includes an association module that associates a plurality of items of caller identification data with a caller, an information module that identifies, using a speech recognition application, caller information from speech of the caller during a telephonic conversation with a call recipient, a comparison module that compares the plurality of items of caller identification data with the caller information, and a validation module that calculates a confidence score based on the comparison of the plurality of items of caller identification data with the caller information and presents, to the call recipient, the confidence score.

Abstract: One method includes identifying driving conditions associated with a current location of a mobile communication device, receiving a notification to be output on the device, preventing the device from outputting the notification in response to identifying a first driving condition, and outputting the notification on the device in response to identifying a second driving condition. A second method includes identifying one or more driving conditions associated with a current location of a mobile communication device and calculating a driving hazard score as a function of the identified one or more driving conditions. The second method further includes receiving a notification to be output on the device, preventing the device from outputting the notification in response to the driving hazard score exceeding a first threshold value, and outputting the notification on the device in response to the driving hazard score being less than a second threshold value.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, systems, and program products are disclosed for connecting to a conference device. A device module detects a client device within a short-range wireless communication distance of a conference device. The conference device is reservable for a conference and configured to present content received from the client device. A notification module that sends a notification to the client device in response to determining that the conference device is available. The notification invites the client device to connect to the conference device. A connection module connects the conference device to the client device in response to receiving a connection confirmation from the client device.

Abstract: An approach is provided that determines that power from at least one battery cell in a multi-battery cell configuration is not required to power the device based on a power requirement of the device. The approach then regulates voltages from the battery cells so that first set of the battery cells is shunted (0 v) and a second set of the battery cells is regulated with the voltage being set to one or more voltage levels to satisfy the power requirement.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for securing personally identifiable information include: identifying, present on a computer system, personally identifiable information (‘PII’); ranking the PII for a user identifiable by the PII; setting a time limit for the PII based on the rank; and responsive to the time limit elapsing, performing one or more actions to secure the PII.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for balancing utilization of infrastructure in a networked computing environment. One example embodiment includes: mapping, for each of a plurality of workloads operating on source devices in a networked computing environment, a corresponding target device within said networked computing environment; accessing topological information defining the networked computing environment; and reducing unbalanced utilization of infrastructure in the networked computing environment including migrating a workload to an alternate device within the networked computing environment, in dependence upon the mapping and topological information.

Abstract: A method of management notifications on a mobile communication device includes pairing a wearable smart device with the mobile communication device, and automatically disabling notifications on the mobile communication device in response to determining that the paired wearable smart device has moved away from the mobile communication device. For example, the mobile communication device may be a smartphone and the wearable smart device may be a smartwatch. Optionally, the mobile communication device and the wearable smart device may pair using a wireless personal area network standard, such as Bluetooth™, and may also communicate using a wireless local area network, such as Wi-Fi™.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a computer enclosure with a first fan, a second fan, a fan controller, and an input for receiving a signal from a microphone indicating an amount of noise at a target location. The apparatus further includes a first actuator coupled to the first fan for adjusting an axial position of the first fan, wherein the controller controls the operation of the first actuator to position the first fan to reduce the noise indicated by the signal from the microphone with the first and second fans in operation. The microphone senses sound pressure and the controller automatically adjusts a position of one or more fans using an actuator to change the distance from the fan to the microphone, which may be co-located with a user, to provide destructive interference at the location of the microphone.

Abstract: An approach is provided that determines that power from at least one battery cell in a multi-battery cell configuration is not required to power the device based on a power requirement of the device. The approach then regulates voltages from the battery cells so that first set of the battery cells is shunted (0 v) and a second set of the battery cells is regulated with the voltage being set to one or more voltage levels to satisfy the power requirement.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing video communication among two or more users is provided. According to an aspect, a method is provided. The method comprises receiving user input of a subject, wherein the user input was captured by a user interface, and determining an interpretation of the captured user input of the subject. The method further comprises determining one or more commands for moving an avatar of the subject based on the interpretation and using the one or more commands for controlling movement of the avatar presented via a computing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for rerouting electronic communication is disclosed. A method and computer program product also perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a process and a memory that stores code executable by the processor to detect that a primary user is occupied, intercept an electronic communication directed to a portable communication device of the primary user, detect that a portable communication device of a trusted user on a list of one more trusted users is in proximity to the primary user, and reroute the electronic communication to the portable communication device of the trusted user, where the trusted user is determined to be in proximity with the primary user.

Abstract: A method includes sensing sound pressure at a specified location, and a controller automatically adjusting a position of one or more fans among a plurality of fans to reduce the sound pressure sensed at the specified location. The position of the one or more fans may, for example, be adjusted using an actuator to change the distance from the fan and the specified location, which may be a location of a user. Optionally, the method may further include the controller automatically adjusting a speed of one or more fans among the plurality of fans to reduce the sound pressure sensed at the specified location. The position and speed of one or more fans may be adjusted to provide destructive interference at the specified location.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed that detects that a unencrypted nonvolatile storage device, such as a hard disk drive, is failing. When the detection is made, the approach encrypts files stored on the nonvolatile storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus for rerouting electronic communication is disclosed. A method and computer program product also perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a process and a memory that stores code executable by the processor to detect that a primary user is occupied, intercept an electronic communication directed to a portable communication device of the primary user, detect that a portable communication device of a trusted user on a list of one more trusted users is in proximity to the primary user, and reroute the electronic communication to the portable communication device of the trusted user, where the trusted user is determined to be in proximity with the primary user.

Abstract: A method and a computer program product for causing a processor to perform the method are provided. The method includes creating a virtual machine having a virtual machine identifier, and storing an entry in a temporary virtual machine registry, wherein the entry includes the virtual machine identifier, inactivity criteria for the virtual machine, and a responsive action for the virtual machine. The method further includes monitoring the activity of the virtual machine, and initiating the responsive action associated with the virtual machine in response to the virtual machine satisfying the inactivity criteria.