How exactly do abilities with "Enemies within Cone" work?

4 of the SMG abilites say that they affect "Enemies within cone". What exactly does that mean? Does it work like an AoE, or does it spread from the person using the ability outward like a cone?

It's almost like a peripheral range in front of you, I myself haven't tested to see how wide it goes, I just have a general idea.  I'd say it's a little less than 90 degrees in front of you going out to the range listed on the ability (8m).

Either like this:

Or like this:


I forget which.