Abstract: A method includes displaying information on a display of an electronic device and detecting a gesture requesting display of information associated with an application. In response to detecting the gesture and while the gesture continues, displaying the requested information and, when a touch location of the gesture is associated with the first selection option, performing a function associated with the first selection option.

Abstract: Methods and electronic devices for facilitating communications are described. In one aspect, a method for facilitating communications is described. The method includes: monitoring audio based communications; performing an audio analysis on the monitored audio based communications to identify a contact associated with the monitored communications; and providing information associated with the identified contact on an electronic device. In another aspect, an electronic device is described. The electronic device includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores processor readable instructions for causing the processor to: monitor audio based communications; perform an audio analysis on the monitored audio based communications to identify a contact associated with the monitored communications; and provide information associated with the identified contact on an electronic device.

Abstract: A method includes displaying information on a display of an electronic device and detecting a gesture requesting display of information associated with an application. In response to detecting the gesture and while the gesture continues, displaying the requested information and, when a touch location of the gesture is associated with the first selection option, performing a function associated with the first selection option.

Abstract: A method for a computing device to search for data entails receiving first user input that initiates a quick scrolling action and activates a speech recognition subsystem, receiving second user input by recognizing voice input using the speech recognition subsystem to determine a search query, and searching for data that corresponds to the search query. The quick scrolling action and activation of the speech recognition subsystem may be triggered, for example, by a swiping gesture on an optical jog pad, on a touch screen, or on a touch-sensitive mouse, or by a contactless three-dimensional gesture.

Abstract: These teachings provide for automatically using content from a received text-based message to identify at least one context-relevant emoticon and then automatically displaying that context-relevant emoticon such that a user can select the context-relevant emoticon to include in a text-based response to that received message.

Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, provides for operation of a handset receiver at a volumetric output level of either a hands free mode of operation or a handset mode of operation. A noncontact proximity sensor detects proximity of the handset to a user. If the sensed proximity indicates that the handset is positioned proximate to the user, the maximum volumetric output level is constrained to be no greater than a maximum handset mode of operation level. If the sensed proximity is greater than a minimum distance, high volumetric output levels are permitted of the handset receiver.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a user of a touch screen electronic device to readily and naturally navigate displayed content media using the touch screen. A user can place and then hold a finger or thumb on the touch screen to create a temporary finger bookmark while simultaneously flipping through screens or pages of the displayed content media with other finger(s). The user can flip as many screen pages as desired in either a backwards or a forward direction and return at any time to the temporary finger bookmark by simply removing the finger that is holding the temporary bookmark.

Abstract: A method for a computing device to search for data entails receiving first user input that initiates a quick scrolling action and activates a speech recognition subsystem, receiving second user input by recognizing voice input using the speech recognition subsystem to determine a search query, and searching for data that corresponds to the search query. The quick scrolling action and activation of the speech recognition subsystem may be triggered, for example, by a swiping gesture on an optical jog pad, on a touch screen, or on a touch-sensitive mouse, or by a contactless three-dimensional gesture.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes an audio coder-decoder ‘CODEC’ capable of generating analog audio signals from digital audio representations, and includes a transmit coil capable of producing an alternating magnetic field upon passage of the analog audio signals through the transmit coil. Automatically determining the presence of conditions for magnetic coupling between the portable electronic device and an audio reproduction accessory results in the portable electronic device causing the analog audio signals to be routed from the CODEC to the transmit coil. When an audio reproduction accessory for a portable electronic device is magnetically coupled to the portable electronic device, the sole source of energy for audible sound generated by the audio reproduction accessory may be energy contained in a magnetic field that acts on the audio reproduction accessory, the magnetic field produced by a transmit coil of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Methods and electronic devices for facilitating communications are described. In one aspect, a method for facilitating communications is described. The method includes: monitoring audio based communications; performing an audio analysis on the monitored audio based communications to identify a contact associated with the monitored communications; and providing information associated with the identified contact on an electronic device. In another aspect, an electronic device is described. The electronic device includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores processor readable instructions for causing the processor to: monitor audio based communications; perform an audio analysis on the monitored audio based communications to identify a contact associated with the monitored communications; and provide information associated with the identified contact on an electronic device.

Abstract: A method includes: detecting movement of a component of the electronic device; receiving an audio signal using a microphone of the electronic device, the audio signal including a noise signal corresponding to the component movement; and in response to detecting the component movement, combining the audio signal with a phase-inverted noise signal generated by phase inverting a recorded noise signal of the event received using the microphone of the electronic device.