A presence aware communications system, comprising a messaging system configured to perform at least one of the following operations:(a) provide a subscriber's communication device with information regarding an incoming contact during a messaging session between the subscriber's communication device and the messaging system;(b) provide the subscriber's communication device with a text message containing information regarding one or more messages when a notification is received that the subscriber's communication device is available;(c) provide the subscriber's communication device with a text message relating to a voice message from a different first party received by the messaging system;(d) in response to the subscriber's communication device requesting a connection with at least one of an inputted telephone number and address, provide the subscriber's communication device with a notification respecting at least one eligible message from a second party associated with the at least one of an inputted telephone number and address;(e) while a contact between the subscriber and a different third party is in progress, provide the subscriber's communication device with information respecting the at least one eligible message from the third party;(f) transform an audio messaging session between the messaging system and the communication device of a contacting party into a graphical user interface-based audio session; and(g) transform the audio messaging session into a session having a video channel or both audio and video channels.