evolves referring now to fig5 there is shown a flow diagram depicting auto play functionality for continuous message playback according to one embodiment in at least one embodiment the steps depicted in fig5 are performed at receiving client device 108 b and provide a mechanism for improved playback of received messages the depicted method is particularly well suited for messages that are output in a linear format such as audio messages or audiovisual messages although it can be used for other types of messages as well the method begins 500 a voice message u201c a u201d is selected 511 for playback for example by the user 100 clicking or tapping on a visual representation of a received message on device 108 message u201c a u201d is downloaded 512 from server 112 or loaded from memory 105 or data store 106 of device 108 playback of message u201c a u201d begins 513 message u201c b u201d which follows message u201c a u201d in the sequence of messages to be played is automatically downloaded 514 from server 112 or pre loaded from memory 105 or data store 106 of device 108 in at least one embodiment step 514 can take place while playback 513 of message u201c a u201d is still taking place so as to avoid or minimize any gap between playback of the messages message u201c b u201d is queued 515 for playback and is played 516 once playback of message u201c a u201d is complete or once user 100 indicates that he or she is not interested in hearing the rest of message u201c a u201d for example by tapping or clicking on a u201c skip u201d command or button in at least one embodiment steps 514 through 516 can take place without any specific input.