An electronic device identifies a location of a physical object that is away from a listener. The electronic device convolves sound so the sound externally localizes as binaural sound to the physical object. The sound plays to the listener through earphones so the listener hears the sound as emanating from the physical object.

Techniques are described related to enabling automated assistants to enter into a “conference mode” in which they can “participate” in meetings between multiple human participants and perform various functions described herein. In various implementations, an automated assistant implemented at least in part on conference computing device(s) may be set to a conference mode in which the automated assistant performs speech-to-text processing on multiple distinct spoken utterances, provided by multiple meeting participants, without requiring explicit invocation prior to each utterance. The automated assistant may perform semantic processing on first text generated from the speech-to-text processing of one or more of the spoken utterances, and generate, based on the semantic processing, data that is pertinent to the first text. The data may be output to the participants at conference computing device(s). The automated assistant may later determine that the meeting has concluded, and may be set to a non-conference mode.

Systems and methods for prioritizing audio announcements are provided. In one embodiment, a method can include obtaining, by one or more processors associated with a computing device, an audio notification that comprises a message and a preferred priority associated with the message. The method can include determining, by the one or more processors, an assigned priority associated with the message based at least in part on a content of the message and the preferred priority associated with the message. The method can include generating, by the one or more processors, an output indicative of the message and the assigned priority associated with the message. The method can include providing, by the one or more processors, the output to an audio device to audibly produce the output based at least in part on the priority associated with the message.

A peripheral device for use with a user terminal, the peripheral device comprising: a first housing part and a second housing part flexibly coupled together, the peripheral configured to be operated in an open mode wherein the first housing part and the second housing part lie adjacent to each other such that the peripheral forms a stand for the user terminal and a closed mode wherein the first housing part and the second housing part lie facing each other; at least one sensor in the first housing part configured to determine whether the peripheral device is the open mode or the closed mode; at least one transducer directed in a first orientation suitable for operating in a closed mode; a further transducer directed in a further orientation suitable for operating in an open mode; and control logic for controlling the at least one transducer and the at least one further transducer based on the at least one sensor determining whether the peripheral device is the open mode or the closed mode.

A peripheral device for use with a user terminal, the peripheral device comprising an interface for connecting to the user terminal; at least one of a light and/or a speaker; and control logic for interfacing with the user terminal in order to interact with a communication client application running on the user terminal, which enables a voice or video call service that is conducted over a packet-based network from the user terminal using the communication client application. The control logic is configured to receive a notification from said communication client application of an event or state in the voice or video call service, and to provide to a user an indication of the event or state by providing an output from the light and/or speaker; wherein this indication is provided while the user terminal is in a locked or sleep state.

Systems and methods for prioritizing audio announcements are provided. In one embodiment, a method can include obtaining, by one or more processors associated with a computing device, an audio notification that comprises a message and a preferred priority associated with the message. The method can include determining, by the one or more processors, an assigned priority associated with the message based at least in part on a content of the message and the preferred priority associated with the message. The method can include generating, by the one or more processors, an output indicative of the message and the assigned priority associated with the message. The method can include providing, by the one or more processors, the output to an audio device to audibly produce the output based at least in part on the priority associated with the message.

Methods and systems for facilitating a communication session receive a sound signal and determine at least one contributing source to the received sound signal from among a plurality of communication endpoints, wherein each respective communication endpoint of the plurality of communication endpoints is associated with a corresponding participant in the communication session and includes a microphone and loudspeaker. Based on a determination of multiple communication endpoints being co-located, one or more embodiments perform at least one of processing the received sound signal by selectively altering the received sound signal, or initiating an instruction to inhibit further contribution, to the sound signal, from at least one of the co-located multiple communication endpoints.

Disclosed are communications devices which can send indications that they are secure, and which can detect when a far end device is not secure (unsecure). A secure device is one that is not connected to a speakerphone or other speaker which is capable of emitting—or actually is emitting—sound which is louder than a certain threshold. If a communication device detects that a remote endpoint is unsecure, the communication device will switch to an unsecure mode. When the switch is made, the communications device alerts the user that the call is not secure so that the user can proceed accordingly.

An electrical power unit with wireless communications capability includes a wireless communications module supported in a housing that is configured to be mounted at or along a work surface. The wireless communications module includes an audio speaker, a microphone, a wireless audio signal receiver, and a wireless audio signal transmitter. The wireless signal receiver is operable to receive first electronic audio signals from a first mobile communication device, and the audio speaker is operable to emit amplified sound in response to the wireless signal receiver receiving the first electronic audio signals. The wireless audio signal transmitter is operable to receive second electronic audio signals from the microphone, and to transmit the second electronic audio signals to the mobile communication device for further transmission from the first mobile communication device to a second communication device located remotely from the electrical power unit and the first mobile communication device.

Technologies including methods, devices, systems and computer readable media related repurposing a speaker to operate as a microphone and/or repurposing a microphone to operate as a speaker.