2. The interface device of claim 1 , further comprising: said processor device configured for initiating, via spoken command, an automatic scan search for content comprising one or more programs pursuant to a search category.
1. A global speech user interface (GSUI) device, comprising: a processor device configured for performing speech recognition to transcribe spoken commands for use in navigating among one or more applications hosted on a communications system; said processor device configured for displaying a set of visual cues to guide a user in issuing spoken commands, said visual cues comprising an overlay that shows a list of services available to the user; wherein said overlay comprises: a first sub-menu overlay specifically for access, by spoken command, to an interactive program guide system; a second sub-menu overlay specifically for access, by spoken command, to a content on demand system; and a third sub-menu overlay specifically for access, by spoken command, to a browser-based service; wherein each of said sub-menus provides a set of speech-activated virtual buttons; and a speaker personalization and identification mechanism for training said communications system to identify respective users by voice; wherein said speaker personalization and identification mechanism presents different custom interfaces and personalized content for different respective speakers.