Abstract: An electronic device and method provide autonomous evaluating and altering of selected media content based on the personal preference of at least one second person. The device is configured to, in response to a trigger to share selected media content to at least one second person: (i) determine whether a personal preference has been established for the at least one second person, the personal preference being correlated to a preference to avoid exposure to specific types of representations within media content; and (ii) in response to determining that the personal preference has been established for the at least one second person: (a) alter the selected media content using the personal preference of the at least one second person to generate corresponding altered media content; and (b) provide the corresponding altered media content in lieu of the selected media content for presenting to the at least one second person.

Abstract: Techniques for dynamic window generation based on a defined area of interest are described and are implementable to provide targeted information updates. For example, an input is received that defines a boundary around a portion of digital content displayed by an application. An area of interest of the digital content is determined based on the boundary that includes a dynamic visual component of the application. A background instance of the application is generated that includes the dynamic visual component. A window is generated output for display in a user interface that depicts information extracted from the dynamic visual component in the background instance of the application. The window is updated based on detected changes to the dynamic visual component. A termination condition of an event associated with the dynamic component is detected, and the window is automatically removed from display and execution of the background instance is terminated.

Abstract: A method provides techniques for detecting, by a processor of an electronic device, a use context associated with a do-not-disturb (DnD) operating mode of the electronic device. In response to detecting the DnD use context, a notification mode of the electronic device is changed from an original setting to a restrictive setting in which received and/or automatically generated notifications are not outputted in certain scenarios or during execution of certain applications or processes. The method further includes detecting entry into a DnD inactive condition from among a completion of the DnD use context or a switch to another use context that does not require a DnD operating mode, and restoring the notification mode of the electronic device to the original setting, based on detecting the DnD inactive condition.

Abstract: An electronic system provides various techniques for identifying noncomplying features of tracked objects and recommending corrective actions to a user. The electronic system identifies, based on a comparison with image(s) within an image repository of tracked objects, at least one tracked object contained in an image received from an image capturing device having a field of view. In response to identifying the at least one tracked object, the electronic device compares features of the image of the at least one tracked object to a baseline image for the at least one tracked object. In response to identifying a noncomplying feature of the image from the baseline image, the electronic device selects a corrective action to associate with the noncomplying feature. The electronic device generates and outputs, to at least one output device, a first notification including the corrective action to the noncomplying feature.

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.