Electronic devices with proximity authentication and gaze actuation of companion electronic devices and corresponding methods

A method in a wearable electronic device, the method comprising:

• identifying, by one or more processors operable with one or more sensors and a wireless communication circuit, a companion electronic device operating within a predefined distance of the wearable electronic device;
• delivering, by the wireless communication circuit, an authentication credential to the companion electronic device;
• detecting, by the one or more sensors, a gaze of an authorized user of the wearable electronic device upon the companion electronic device;
• and
• delivering, by the wireless communication circuit, an actuation command to the companion electronic device, the actuation command instructing a user interface component of the companion electronic device to enter an active mode of operation.

A wearable electronic device, comprising:

• one or more processors operable with a memory, the one or more processors identifying a companion electronic device operating within a wireless communication radius of the wearable electronic device and retrieving from the memory an engagement profile as a function of a device type of the companion electronic device;
• one or more sensors identifying the wearable electronic device being within a predefined distance of a companion electronic device identified by the engagement profile and that a gaze of an authorized user of the wearable electronic device being directed at the companion electronic device;
• and
• a wireless communication circuit responsive to the one or more processors, the wireless communication circuit delivering an authentication credential to the companion electronic device upon the one or more sensors identifying that the wearable electronic device is within the predefined distance of the companion electronic device and delivering an actuation command upon identifying that the gaze of the authorized user is directed at the companion electronic device.