The instant invention relates to a method of operating a portable electronic device and to an electronic device, especially a mobile radio telephone apparatus on which a dictating application for recording, storing, reproducing and/or processing speech input is executed. Depending on an automatically determined operating state of the dictating application, a display means of the portable electronic device displays a menu of functions of the dictating application, adapted to the particular operating state of the dictating application, the functions being selectable by a user by way of an input means of the portable electronic device.