Global speech user interface

A method for operating a global speech user interface (GSUI), comprising:

• providing a speech input device having a switch, where the GSUI is activated by user activation of the switch;
• performing speech recognition to transcribe spoken commands into commands acceptable by a communications system;
• using the transcribed spoken commands to navigate among applications hosted on said communications system;
• displaying a set of immediate speech feedback overlays including visual cues to guide a user in issuing proper spoken commands where each immediate speech feedback overlay provides non-textual feedback information about a state of said communications system, comprising:
• (a) checking if a current screen is speech-enabled when said switch is activated;
• (b) if the current screen is speech-enabled, displaying a first tab signaling that a speech input system is activated;
• (c) if the current screen is not speech-enabled, displaying a second tab signaling a non speech-enabled alert, said second tab staying on screen for a first interval;
• (d) if said switch is re-activated, repeating Step(a);
• (e) if said switch is not deactivated within a second interval, interrupting recognition;
• (f) if said switch is deactivated after a third interval lapsed but before said second interval in Step (e) lapsed, displaying a third tab signaling that speech recognition is in processing;
• and
• (g) if said switch was deactivated before said third interval in Step (f) lapsed, removing any tab on the screen.