Abstract: An audio interface for communicating information regarding an online auction item is disclosed and includes an announcement, wherein the announcement includes information that is associated with the online auction item. The audio interface also includes an authorization prompt to retrieve authentication information and an advertisement.

Abstract: A method is disclosed and includes presenting a list of items for sale. The method also includes receiving a user selection of an item from the list of items for sale and placing the selected item on an action list in response to a user action. Additionally, the method includes monitoring the selected item on the action list and placing a call to the user over a voice channel before an end of an offer for sale of the selected item. The method also includes authenticating the user. In an alternative embodiment, the method includes instructing a third party to place a call to the user before the end of the offer for sale of the selected item.

Abstract: A user interface for communicating over a voice channel regarding an item that is available at an e-commerce website is disclosed and includes a speaker to communicate at least one audible voice message and at least one audible non-voice message. The audible voice message can indicate the status of an item and/or the status of an offer to purchase the item. Further, the at least one audible non-voice message can indicate a time period in which user input can be received. Moreover, the at least one audible non-voice message is transmitted concurrently with the at least one audible voice message.

Abstract: A method of selective call initiation is disclosed and includes receiving data from a computer based auction site. Further, the method includes detecting a notification event by evaluating the data with respect to notification criteria associated with a user account. Also, the method includes initiating a voice based call over a voice network to a communication device identified in connection with the user account. A system is also disclosed and includes a first processing element that is coupled to a network interface to receive data from a computer based auction site. Also, the system includes a second processing element to detect a notification event by evaluating the data with respect to notification criteria associated with a user account. Moreover, the system includes a third processing element to initiate an outgoing voice based call over a voice network to a communication device identified in connection with the user account.