1. A method of buffering audio on an electronic device, comprising: detecting an indicia of impending device activity, the indicia comprising one or more of an activation of an application that records or processes audio, a change in incident light intensity, a visual detection of motion, a visual detection of a user in proximity to the device, visual recognition of a face, detection of a finger proximal to a touch-sensitive display screen, movement of the device, detection of an ambient sound, detection of speech, or detection of a particular speaker; activating a circular buffer, in response to detecting the indicia; storing received audio in the circular buffer; receiving an indication to process or record audio; in response to the indication, combining at least a portion of the audio stored in the buffer prior to the indication with audio received after the indication; and transmitting or processing the combined audio.