Responding to incoming calls

A method operative on a portable electronic device associated with a party being called, the method comprising:

• receiving an indication of an incoming voice call from a caller, the incoming call being directed over a first communications channel to a second electronic device different from the electronic device, the indication identifying the caller and further comprises addressing information for the caller, other than a telephone number of the caller, on a second communications channel, the addressing information to be used in sending a text message over the second communications channel to the caller;
• displaying a plurality of response options to send to the caller;
• receiving, based on the displaying, a selection of a first response that is within the plurality of response options;
• and
• sending to the caller, independently of the second device by the electronic device through the second communications channel that is independent of the first communications channel, the text message comprising the first response.

A portable electronic device associated with a party being called, the portable electronic device comprising:

• a processor configured to:
• detect an incoming voice call over a first communications channel from a caller;
• send, based on a detection of the incoming call, an indication of the incoming call to a second electronic device different from the electronic device, the indication identifying the caller and comprising addressing information for the caller, other than a telephone number of the caller, on a second communications channel, the addressing information to be used in sending a text message over the second communications channel to the caller;
• receive, from the second electronic device, the text message to send to the caller;
• and
• send the text message from the electronic device to the caller over the second communications channel that is independent from the first communications channel.

A portable electronic device associated with a party being called, the portable electronic device comprising:

• a processor configured to:
• receive over a first communications channel, from a second electronic device, an indication of an incoming voice call from a caller, the incoming call being directed to the second electronic device, the indication identifying the caller and further comprises addressing information for the caller, other than a telephone number of the caller, on a second communications channel, the addressing information to be used in sending a text message over the second communications channel to the caller;
• display a plurality of response options to send to the caller;
• receive, based on the display, a selection of a first response that is one of the plurality of response options;
• and
• send to the caller, independently of the second device, through the second communications channel that is independent of the first communications channel, the text message comprising the first response.