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Whilst cycling home from work today, I was, as always, listening to music on my mobile phone (through headphones ofc).
During my journey home, I recieved 2 telephone calls, however didn't want to stop and dig my phone out my bag to answer or see who had called and check if they had left a message.
My phone, like most others I'm sure, pauses the music and the ringtone plays through my headphones, and I would like the option for my phone to automatically play back any voicemail messages that are left, immidiately after it finishes recording.
The facility could be extended to use text recognition to automatically read out any 'txt msgs' I receive.
The phone could be programmed to recognise when headphones were plugged in, and so automatically swich on this function.

In response to the inevitable, I don't use a handsfree kit, and wouldn't want to, and further I am aware of the debate over listening to music whilst cycling... If it makes it any easier, imagine this function for joggers.

MikeOliver, Oct 01 2009

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       Get a stereo bluetooth headset. Listen to music and your calls, all at the push of a single button. If you want to listen to your messages, push the button, say "call voicemail" (if you have voice dial configured) and listen away. Of course, here in my town anyway, it's illegal to ride or drive with audio inputs in both ears.   

       Now, I do think your idea is quite Bakeable on phones that support Visual Voicemail, provided your account is setup for it. The voicemails are stored in the phone, sent automatically via MMS. All you therefore need is an app that accesses the most recent one right after a call and plays it. Shouldn't be too difficult for a decent web developer to create such an app.   

       I don't care for it myself, I'd just as soon whip out my phone and play the message or call it with Bluetooth using voice dial, but it's a doable idea, so (neutral).
21 Quest, Oct 02 2009
  

       ...and you shouldn't really be listening to music on headphones while cycling.
hippo, Oct 02 2009
  

       Yeah, in some places, if you do that, you're likely to get shot or run over.
UnaBubba, Oct 02 2009
  

       This shows how much phone manufacturers are in the pocket of the networks. If otherwise, the phone would pick up automatically and record the message locally. You would not need to pay again to hear the voice mail which had already been paid for when they guy left it.   

       If this were the case (local voice mail unless the phone is unreachable) then it could provide an instant pass-through to your headphones (listen during the record); and even a 'pick up now' button if you realise it is actually important.
vincevincevince, Oct 02 2009
  

       My voicemail is free. People pay for voicemail pickup?
UnaBubba, Oct 02 2009
  

       I do; it gets billed per minute I connect. Have had the same across three networks and two countries. Although; all have been 'prepaid' so that may make a difference.
vincevincevince, Oct 02 2009
  

       I know ATT bills voicemail calls at the standard per-minute airtime rate, and I think T-Mobile does, too. I have heard there are some carriers, like Cricket, that provide free voicemail access. I use Visual Voicemail and don't ever have to call my voicemail. Visual is a free service add-on for T-Mobile, if you have a phone that supports it.
21 Quest, Oct 02 2009
  

       I don't pay to pick up voicemail. I just ignore it. Buggered if I'm paying for it.
Ian Tindale, Oct 02 2009
  
      
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