A computer-implemented method, comprising: detecting, by a primary computing device, one or more secondary computing devices configured to generate audio streams for audible output in an environment, wherein the primary computing device and the one or more secondary computing devices are communicatively coupled via a network; categorizing, by the primary computing device, at least one of the one or more secondary computing devices as a nearby device when such a secondary computing device is determined to be capable of providing audio streams that are audibly detected by the primary computing device, wherein said categorizing comprises: obtaining, by the primary computing device via the network, audio stream data associated with current audio streams generated for audible output by each of the one or more secondary computing devices; obtaining, by the primary computing device via a microphone, a current audio sample received at the primary computing device; and comparing, by the primary computing device, the current audio streams generated for audible output by each of the one or more secondary computing devices to the current audio sample received at the primary computing device; initiating, by the primary computing device, a voice-interaction mode for operating the primary computing device to receive voice commands from a user and provide audio output in response to the voice commands; and transmitting, by the primary computing device to each nearby device, an audio signal that configures the nearby device to reduce a volume level associated with the audio stream generated by the nearby device while the primary computing device is operating in the voice-interaction mode. detecting, by a primary computing device, one or more secondary computing devices configured to generate audio streams for audible output in an environment, wherein the primary computing device and the one or more secondary computing devices are communicatively coupled via a network; categorizing, by the primary computing device, at least one of the one or more secondary computing devices as a nearby device when such a secondary computing device is determined to be capable of providing audio streams that are audibly detected by the primary computing device, wherein said categorizing comprises: obtaining, by the primary computing device via the network, audio stream data associated with current audio streams generated for audible output by each of the one or more secondary computing devices; obtaining, by the primary computing device via a microphone, a current audio sample received at the primary computing device; and comparing, by the primary computing device, the current audio streams generated for audible output by each of the one or more secondary computing devices to the current audio sample received at the primary computing device; obtaining, by the primary computing device via the network, audio stream data associated with current audio streams generated for audible output by each of the one or more secondary computing devices; obtaining, by the primary computing device via a microphone, a current audio sample received at the primary computing device; and comparing, by the primary computing device, the current audio streams generated for audible output by each of the one or more secondary computing devices to the current audio sample received at the primary computing device; initiating, by the primary computing device, a voice-interaction mode for operating the primary computing device to receive voice commands from a user and provide audio output in response to the voice commands; and transmitting, by the primary computing device to each nearby device, an audio signal that configures the nearby device to reduce a volume level associated with the audio stream generated by the nearby device while the primary computing device is operating in the voice-interaction mode. <EOS>