Multi-modal auto complete function for a connection

A method operating within a client computing device that is configured to perform actions for initiating a communication over a network, comprising:

• receiving contact information associated with a plurality of communication mediums, the contact information including at least one contact name with an associated address that employs an associated communication medium;
• and
• if at least one character is received:
• displaying through a messaging client a dynamic list of at least one contact name with an associated address, the list being determined based on the at least one received character, wherein for each contact name within the displayed list having more than one associated address displaying the list of addresses for that contact name contiguously using a weighted ordering based on a frequency of communications for each address.
• enabling selection an address from the dynamic list from within the same messaging client, and
• automatically initiating the communication using the communications medium associated with the selected address, wherein the communication medium used to initiate the communications is independent of the messaging client.

A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps for use in initiating a communication over a network, the steps comprising:

• receiving contact information associated with a plurality of communication mediums, the contact information including a contact name and address for each of the plurality of communication mediums;
• integrating the contact information in a unified contact store;
• and
• if an input is received comprising at least one character for use in searching:
• displaying within a multi-modal manager component a list of contact names each contact name having displayed an address, the list being dynamically determined based on the at least one received character, and wherein for each contact name in the displayed list having more than one associated address using a weighted ordering of each address associated with the same contact name contiguously based on a frequency of communications using each address,
• enabling through the multi-modal manager component selection of an address for a contact name from the list of contact names and addresses, wherein the selection is independent of a respective communication medium, and
• automatically initiating using the multi-modal manager component the communication using a communication medium associated with the selected address, and wherein the multi-modal manager component is configured to enable the communication to be initiated independent of the communication medium used.

A system for use in initiating a communication over a network, comprising:

• a plurality of messaging services, wherein each messaging service being associated with a communication medium and having a list of contact names with an address associated with each contact name in the list of contact names;
• an instant messaging (IM) client that is in communication with the plurality of messaging applications, and is arranged to perform actions, comprising:
• receiving contact information from the plurality of messaging applications;
• integrating the contact information in a unified contact store;
• dynamically searching the unified contact store based on receiving of input characters;
• displaying a dynamically updated list of contact names, each contact name having displayed with it at least one address, the list being determined based on the dynamic search, wherein for each contact name in the displayed list having more than one address further weight ordering each address for that contact name contiguously based on a frequency of communications using each address;
• enabling selection of an address from the displayed dynamic list;
• and
• automatically initiating the communication to a contact name using a communication medium associated with the selected address, wherein the communication medium is other than an IM communication medium.