An electronic device, such as a telephone, includes a key operable to be pressed into a depressed position, said key being associated with a function, and a control system for initiating the function associated with the key, wherein if the key is pressed into the depressed position and released within a timeout period, the control initiates the function upon release of the key, and if the key is pressed into the depressed position and retained in the depressed position for the timeout period, the control system does not initiate the function upon release of the key.