Abstract: A method of bringing a user of a first electronic device up to date with an ongoing electronic communication thread including previous communications exchanged among existing participants to the communication. The method includes detecting that the user has been added to the communication thread. The method includes identifying, within the thread, a main topic, roles of participants, and specific topics of interest. The method includes identifying a list of open tasks. The method includes retrieving from secondary sources a main topic or sub-topic. The method includes extracting and parsing topic-related data to determine prior participation by and knowledge of the user. The method includes generating a tailored personalized summary of the thread, based on details from the thread and prior participation by and knowledge of the user. The method includes rendering and outputting the summary on the electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device, method and computer program product provide recommendations for a wearable audio output device that is appropriate for a scheduled use. A controller of the electronic device determines, based on schedule data, a context (e.g., sound quality and volume level of ambient sound) of presentation of audio output via wearable audio output device(s). The controller associates, for each wearable audio output device, a respective ambient sound attenuation value compatible with a range of sound quality and volume level of the context. The controller identifies a candidate wearable audio output device that has an associated ambient sound attenuation value that is compatible with the context of presentation. The controller presents, via an output device, a recommendation to have the candidate wearable audio output device available to successfully present the audio output for the context of presentation of the audio output during a scheduled time.

Abstract: A method of enabling dynamic surfacing of transcripts of communication exchanges between first and second communicatively connected electronic communication devices. The method includes, during a communication exchange between the first and second electronic communication devices, determining whether a trusted person is detected within a threshold distance in proximity of a first display of the first electronic device. The method includes, in response to detecting a trusted person within the threshold distance, determining whether the trusted person is in an inquisitive mode relative to at least one of a user of the first electronic device and the communication exchange. The method includes, in response to determining that the trusted person is in an inquisitive mode, activating a transcript sharing mode of the first electronic device and starting surfacing of a transcript of an ongoing communication on the first display of the first electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device detects user engagement with an opt-in selection (OIS) user interface (UI) that includes selectable options and request for action(s) configured to encourage a user to accept the pre-selected content in response to the request for action. In response to detecting a request for action within the OIS UI that triggers automatic selection of the selectable option, a processor of the electronic device causes the electronic device to analyze all content of the OIS UI to identify whether any one of the options are pre-selected and whether the call to action is potentially misleading. The processor causes the electronic device to: generate a modified OIS UI presenting at least one clearly visible option for bypassing a selection of the request for action; and render and present the modified OIS UI to enable an option for moving past the OIS UI without completing the request for action.

Abstract: An electronic device provides various techniques for continuing to present an inferred location of a second electronic device after a location service stops receiving location signals from the second electronic device, while the user of the second electronic device is in transit. A processor of the electronic device is configured to cause the electronic device to identify that a user of the second electronic device is aboard a transport carrier. The processor of the electronic device is configured to cause the electronic device to retrieve, from carrier location tracking system(s) associated with the transport carrier, a current carrier location of the transport carrier. The processor of the electronic device is configured to cause the electronic device to generate and render, at a display, a location tracking affordance indicating an inferred current location of the second electronic device based on the current carrier location.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided for remembering and recalling information related to activities engaged in by a user while using services associated with an electronic device and services associated with one or more connected electronic devices. By remembering the information related to the activities associated with the electronic device and the information related to the activities associated with one or more connected electronic devices, the techniques may enable grouping and remembering different activities that share the similar context. The techniques may further enable recalling information related to multiple activities that share the similar context. The techniques may include using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze the information related to different activities to determine whether the information have similar context.

Abstract: A system manages alarms across connected electronic devices by detecting companion devices within an environment and determining their relative locations to an authorized user. The system actuates an alarm on the device closest to the user. If no user input is detected, the system shifts the alarm to the next closest device. This dynamic alarm management ensures user engagement by leveraging spatial arrangements of devices, thereby reducing the risk of oversleeping. The system includes various electronic devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, and Internet of Things devices, and can operate in a daisy-chain mode or simultaneously across multiple devices.

Abstract: An electronic device provides techniques for creating appealing and eye catching home screens that combine animated and integrated wallpaper features with useful information from a widget, personalizing the electronic device and improving a user experience. A processor is configured to cause the electronic device to: (i) analyze a wallpaper to identify characteristics of enabling portion(s) thereof to be presented as a background or a foreground image; (ii) analyze the widget to identify presentation content that should be visible in a foreground of the first wallpaper; (iii) assign a fixed or a moving location of the widget relative to the first wallpaper presented in a background of a combined image; and (iv) generate and render an animated combined display image comprising the first widget presented in the assigned one of the fixed or the moving location with presentation content visible relative to the foreground or background of the first wallpaper.

Abstract: In aspects of adjusting volume of audio playback based on a detected user sleeping, a first computing device implements a volume manager that determines whether a user of the first computing device is sleeping. The volume manager detects audio playback that is output from speakers of a second computing device located within a threshold proximity to the first computing device. The volume manager then outputs a trigger to cause the second computing device to adjust a volume of the audio playback based on a determination that the user of the first computing device is sleeping.

Abstract: In aspects of adjusting volume of audio playback based on microphone status, a first computing device implements a volume manager that determines whether a microphone associated with a first computing device is turned on. The volume manager detects audio playback that is output from speakers of a second computing device located within a threshold proximity to the first computing device. The volume manager then outputs a trigger to cause one or more of the second computing device to adjust a volume of the audio playback or the first computing device to mute the microphone based on a determination that the microphone associated with the first computing device is turned on.

Abstract: An electronic device provides various techniques for augmenting a journal entry with content based on associating user activity (e.g., searches, chats, texts, emails, downloads). A processor of the electronic device is configured to cause the electronic device to monitor communication and actions occurring via and around the electronic device for contextual information. The processor is configured to cause the electronic device to store a timeline of the contextual information to a repository. In response to detecting creation of a digital artifact, the processor is configured to cause the electronic device to analyze content of the digital artifact and metadata associated with the digital artifact for subject information. The processor causes the electronic device to identify, from among the stored contextual information, additional content associated with the content and metadata of the digital artifact and store the digital artifact with the additional content as a journal entry for a timeline remembrance.

Abstract: An electronic device provides techniques for monitoring and enforcing data privacy policies for applications executed by the electronic device. The electronic device includes a memory having application(s) and a privacy policy settings corresponding to the application(s). The electronic device includes a communications subsystem that links the electronic device to a network entity associated with a first application. A processor is communicatively coupled to the memory and the communications subsystem. In response to detecting an action by the first application to transmit selected data via the communications subsystem to the network entity, the processor is configured to cause the electronic device to identify a privacy policy applicable to the data, based on the privacy policy settings. In response to determining that transmitting the data would violate the privacy policy, the processor is configured to cause the electronic device to at least partially block a transmission of the data.

Abstract: An electronic device curates push notifications to align with user interests to provide a better user experience. The electronic device has a memory including a personal knowledge base that contains user interest subject(s) and a curated push notification module. The electronic device has a communications subsystem that links the electronic device to a push notification source. A processor of the electronic device is communicatively coupled to the memory and the communications subsystem. The processor is configured to cause the electronic device to receive, via the communications subsystem from the push notification source, push notification(s) including a first push notification. The processor matches user interest subject(s) to notification content contained in the first push notification.

Abstract: A method in an electronic device includes detecting, with one or more sensors, one or more persons within a media consumption environment while a companion electronic device delivers content. The method includes determining, by one or more processors, an interruption of content consumption by at least one person, gathering information related to content portions presented during the interruption, and causing the presentation of a summary of the information upon detecting a cessation of the interruption. The summary may include closed captioned text, audio-to-text conversion, and spoiler alerts. The method can also involve detecting interruptions through gaze direction, sound detection, and movement of companion devices.

Abstract: An electronic device, a method and a computer program product for presenting budget alerts for budget categories. The method includes detecting a trigger indicative of an intended transaction that falls within a first budget category having a budgeted amount for at least one budget period. In response to detecting the trigger, the method includes transmitting, to a budget tracking repository, a request for budget data. The budget data includes a first budget amount and current spend amount for the first budget category. The method includes identifying an over-budget condition by determining that a sum of a payment amount for the intended transaction and the current spend amount is greater than the first budget amount. In response to identifying the over-budget condition, the method includes presenting a budget alert on a display. The budget alert indicates that the first budget amount will be exceeded, if the intended transaction is completed.

Abstract: An electronic device, method and computer program product provide recommending wearable audio output devices (e.g., earphones, headsets) for audio output that are appropriate for the ambient sound context and sound quality of the audio output. A controller of the electronic device monitors the context, associates a respective air leakage value and a respective ambient sound attenuation value associated with each wearable audio output device. In response to use of a wearable audio output device exceeding a duration threshold, the controller identifies and presents a recommendation to switch to a candidate wearable audio output device to mitigate a risk level while successfully presenting the audio output for the context.

Abstract: A method provides techniques for omitting/removing sensitive information from recorded conversations. Audio/video (AV) data is captured on an electronic device for a meeting including multiple participants. A sensitive information context is detected within the captured AV data. A start point for the sensitive information context within the captured AV data is detected. An end point for the sensitive information context within the captured AV data is detected. A redacted meeting recording is created from the captured AV data, in which the redacted meeting recording omits information between the start point and the end point.

Abstract: A method in an electronic device involves receiving user input requesting the transmission of a screenshot of communication dialogue to a remote electronic device. The method includes extracting identifiers of parties represented by pronouns in the communication dialogue using one or more processors. The processors then modify the screenshot so that the pronouns identify the parties represented by them. The modification can include overlays, replacing pronouns with names, reversing geometric alignment, changing colors, or reversing pronouns. The method may also involve determining whether the communication dialogue is a one-to-one or group conversation and whether the remote device belongs to a third party. The system ensures clarity by annotating the screenshot before transmission, enhancing communication and reducing misunderstandings.

Abstract: In accordance with the described techniques, an indication is received that a collect-on-delivery order associated with a first user is scheduled to be delivered at a delivery location during a particular time slot. A first device of the first user and a second device of a second user are interconnected via a data sharing application, enabling sharing of location data between the devices. Based on the location data, a prediction is made that the first user will not be present but the second user will be present at the delivery location during the particular time slot. Given this, a data transaction is initiated from a first account associated with the first device to a second account associated with the second device, and the data transaction is initiated based on a data status of the second account being unable to meet a data transaction criterion of the collect-on-delivery order.

Abstract: A method of discreetly transferring selected content from a first electronic device to a communicatively coupled second communication device. The method includes, in response to a request to transfer a selected content from the first electronic device to the second electronic device, determining whether the selected content is stored securely. The method includes, in response to determining that the selected content is stored securely, determining a manner in which the content is secured. The method includes transferring the selected content via a discreet transfer process that maintains the security of the content during transfer from the electronic device to the second electronic device. The method includes securely storing the selected content at the second electronic device in a same manner in which the content was stored at the electronic device prior to being transferred.