A user interface for a mobile office is provided for allowing simple, safe, and
convenient access to electronic mail, calendar, news, and web browser functions.
The dialog or number of steps required to access desired items is minimized using
a state controller responsive to voice commands and manual activations of reconfigurable
steering wheel switches. Someone unfamiliar with the user interface is assisted
by prompts for various commands and can use the mobile office without needing to
resort to use of the reconfigurable steering wheel control elements. A more experienced
user can bypass prompts by interrupting them with voice commands and can quickly
move through various steps by utilizing the configurable steering wheel control
elements to gain access to individual items within the mail, calendar, and news functions.
