data the routines 7 can be in any of a variety of forms such as without limitation software firmware and the like as will be explained in greater detail below the routines 7 include a user selectable response function as an application as well as other routines an operational process 30 for implementing the user selectable response function on the handheld electronic device 1 is illustrated in fig3 operational process 30 is initiated when the handheld electronic device 1 detects an incoming communication at operation 31 an incoming communication may include for example and without limitation a text based message e g email message short message service sms message instant message im or a voice based message e g a telephone call which is being received by the handheld electronic device 1 in the exemplary embodiment the handheld electronic device 1 detects the sender and the format e g text based voice based of the incoming communication after an incoming communication is detected in operation 31 a number of predetermined responses to the incoming communication are provided for selection by the user at operation 32 for instance representations of the predetermined responses may be output to display 14 in the exemplary embodiment the predetermined responses may include general responses and or responses that are specific to the sender of the incoming communication if the handheld electronic device 1 detects that the user 39 s spouse is calling for example the responses provided for selection by the user may include the general responses u201c can 39 t talk right now u201d and u201c call you back in five minutes u201d as well as the specific.