Abstract: A wireless handset includes a mode selection module for placing the wireless handset in a voice record mode in response to a voice record mode signal. A vocoder module digitizes and stores a voice message as a compressed voice message file, when the wireless handset is in the voice record mode. A text message generator generates a text message based on text message address data, the text message including the compressed voice message file. A transceiver module transmits the text message.

Abstract: A wireless handset includes a transceiver module for receiving a first text message. A mode selection module places the wireless handset in a text playback mode in response to a text playback signal. A text to speech conversion module automatically converts text information from the first text message into a first audio stream when the first text message is received and the handset is in the text playback mode. An audio output device converts the first audio stream into a first audio output.

Abstract: A wireless handset includes a long range wireless transceiver for sending and receiving wireless data to a wireless telephone network and for selectively producing a first audio stream. An audio playback module selectively produces a second audio stream from a stored audio file. A mixing module produces a mixed audio stream when the first audio stream and the second audio stream are produced contemporaneously. An audio output device produces an audio output based on at least one of: the mixed audio stream, the first audio stream, and the second audio stream.