Abstract: A shoe protector as presented herein can be used to protect a shoe from damage caused when performing skateboarding tricks such as an ollie. The shoe protector includes a main body section shaped and sized to cover a portion of a shoe, the main body section having a tab formed in its upper section. The shoe protector also includes a plurality of shoelace holes formed in the tab, the shoelace holes being sized, shaped, and spaced apart to accommodate a shoelace pattern of the shoe, and an outer flap coupled to the main body section. The outer flap covers the shoelace holes, and the outer flap has the same perimeter and outline as an underlying portion of the tab.

Abstract: A preliminary answer message is transmitted to a calling device placing a call to a wireless device of a called party where the preliminary answer message indicates that the call has been accepted and the calling party will engage in communication after a period of time. When the calling party is alerted of the incoming call and can not currently speak, the calling party initiates the preliminary answer process through a user input on the wireless device. In response, the preliminary answer message, which may be a recorded voice message, is transmitted to the calling device and presented to the calling party.