A device having one or more sensors configured to detect a material covering the device, and logic configured to detect one or more characteristics of the material and change an operating state of the device based on the detected one or more characteristics. In some examples, the one or more sensors can be ambient light sensors (ALS), proximity sensors and/or cameras. In some examples, the device can change the operating state of a processor, a touch panel and/or a display. In some examples, the device can detect a direction of coverage of the material, a color of the material and/or a usage state of the device. In some examples, the device can change its operating state based on a pattern of the one or more characteristics and/or information in addition to the one or more characteristics. In some examples, the device can receive the information from an external device.