Abstract: A method at a first electronic device with a display and an input device includes: displaying a message input area along with a graphical input stream in a first application, where the graphical input stream includes a source of predefined graphical images and a source for a coded character set. The method includes detecting entry of one or more objects from the graphical input stream into the message input area and receiving a user input to transmit the contents of the message input area. In response to receiving the user input to transmit, and in accordance with a determination that the one or more objects includes a predefined graphical image, the method includes forming a merged message comprising the contents of the message input area, including the predefined graphical image, where a merged message is an image, and transmitting the merged message to a recipient or another application.

Abstract: Customizing virtual assets is disclosed, including: transforming each of a plurality of initially identical copies of a virtual asset or a portion thereof to isolate a feature of the virtual asset or portion thereof; and enabling the isolated feature to be changed by a user in at least one of the transformed copies. In some embodiments, customizing virtual assets includes: receiving a three-dimensional model associated with the virtual asset; receiving an indication to save a two-dimensional virtual asset based on the 3D model with a 2D image wrapped on it; and using the 3D model with the 2D image wrapped on it to generate the 2D virtual asset.

Abstract: At a first device there is received from a second device (i) a native pixilated image and (ii) interactive filter data associated with the image. The filter data corresponds to an interactive filter applied to the image. A first representation of the image is displayed in accordance with the interactive filter data on the display. All or a first subset of the pixels of the image are obscured in the first representation. Responsive to user input, for a limited period of time, a second representation of the image is displayed in place of the first representation. None or a second subset of the pixels of the image is obscured in the second representation, where the second subset is less than the first subset. Then there is displayed on the display, after the limited period of time has elapsed, the first representation in place of the second representation.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for using a hands free computing device. The device includes a processor, a head movement measuring component, screen, camera, microphone, and memory. Responsive to sensing an instruction by a user, an image is captured by the camera and displayed on the screen. There is recorded, using the microphone, an audible catch phrase provided by the user for the image. The audible catch phrase is converted to text that is superimposed on the image thereby making a fused image. The user identifies one or more remote recipients of the fused image. The fused image is communicated, with the text phrase formatted for scrambled display, to the one or more remote recipients. The fused image is displayed on remote devices associated with such recipients with the text phrase scrambled.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for displaying a graphical input stream comprising a plurality of keys, a first subset of which is a character set source and a second subset of which provides a message effect source. A first user input from the character set source forms an original multi-word message that is displayed in a message area. A second user input from the message effect source applies a corresponding message effect to only the multi-word message thereby forming a transformed representation. The multi-word message displayed in the message area is replaced with the transformed representation. Upon receipt of a third user input to transmit the contents of the message area, the original multi-word message and an indication of the message effect is transmitted.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which a character possessing a weapon is displayed in a scene along with first and second affordances. Responsive to first affordance user contact, scene orientation is changed. Responsive to second affordance user contact with a first status of the weapon, a firing process is performed in which the weapon is fired and the weapon status is updated. When (i) the first and second affordances are user contact free or (ii) the second affordance is presently in user contact and there is a second weapon status, firing is terminated. Alternatively, when the second affordance is presently in user contact and there is a first weapon status, the firing is repeated. Alternatively still, with (i) present first affordance user contact, (ii) a first weapon status, and (iii) no present second affordance user contact, the firing is repeated upon second affordance user contact.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for, at a first electronic device with a touch-sensitive display, receiving a message from a second electronic device. The message comprises an original multi-word first text. A first representation of the original multi-word first text is displayed in accordance with a text effect in a messaging application. In response to a user input with respect to the first representation in the form of a tap gesture on the touch-sensitive display, the displayed first representation is transiently replaced with a display of the original multi-word first text for a predetermined time period. Without further user intervention, upon completion of the predetermined time period, display of the first representation is restored.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for playing a video game in which a user is associated with a particular gaming level in a plurality of gaming levels and is subjected to one or more challenges. The user responds to the challenges. The user is provided with a first mechanism for acquiring a first subpart, from among a plurality of subparts, at a time when the user has collected none of the subparts. The subparts collectively define a virtual composite item that has functional value within the game and the subparts do not have functionality within the game until the user has collected the entire plurality of subparts. Subsequently, the user is provided with a second mechanism for acquiring a second subpart from among the plurality of subparts. Use of a virtual composite item is enabled when the user has collected all the subparts of the composite item.

Abstract: At a first device there is received from a second device (i) a native pixilated image and (ii) interactive filter data associated with the image. The filter data corresponds to an interactive filter applied to the image. A first representation of the image is displayed in accordance with the interactive filter data on the display. All or a first subset of the pixels of the image are obscured in the first representation. Responsive to user input, for a period of time specified by the filter, a second representation of the image is displayed in place of the first representation. None or a second subset of the pixels of the image is obscured in the second representation, where the second subset is less than the first subset. Then there is displayed on the display, after the limited period of time has elapsed, the first representation in place of the second representation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hosting a game are disclosed in which a user is granted a first base comprising a three-dimensional section with a base target. Game credit is earned through successful completion of campaigns in which the user, posed as an avatar, fights against a plurality of defendants of a second base in a three dimensional action format in which the avatar and the plurality of defendants use weapons against each other. The user is provided with a description of base upgrades, including three-dimensional pre-fabricated sections that can be dynamically added to the first base, and associated costs for the upgrades. Upon selection a base upgrade, the associated cost of the selected upgrade is deducted from the game credit accrued by the user. The first base is augmented with the selected base upgrade thereby augmenting a defense of the first base.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for playing a video game in which a user is associated with a particular gaming level in a plurality of gaming levels and is subjected to one or more challenges in an action format. The user responds to the challenges. The user is provided with a first mechanism for acquiring a first subpart, from among a plurality of subparts, at a time when the user has collected none of the subparts. The subparts collectively define a virtual composite item that has functional value within the game and the subparts do not have functionality within the game until the user has collected the entire plurality of subparts. Subsequently, the user is provided with a second mechanism for acquiring a second subpart from among the plurality of subparts. Use of the virtual composite item is enabled when the user has collected all the subparts.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for using a hands free computing device. The device includes a processor, a head movement measuring component, screen, camera, microphone, and memory. Responsive to sensing an instruction by a user, an image is captured by the camera and displayed on the screen. There is recorded, using the microphone, an audible catch phrase provided by the user for the image. The audible catch phrase is converted to text that is superimposed on the image thereby making a fused image. The user identifies one or more remote recipients of the fused image by making one or more predetermined head movements to select from among recipient candidates. The fused image is communicated, with the text phrase formatted for scrambled display, to the one or more remote recipients. The fused image is displayed on remote devices associated with such recipients with the text phrase scrambled.

Abstract: A method at a first electronic device with a display and an input device includes: receiving a message from a second electronic device, the message comprising a first text and a text effect applied to the message; displaying a first representation of the message in accordance with the text effect; receiving a user input with respect to the first representation; and in response to the user input with respect to the first representation, displaying a second representation of the message in accordance with the text effect.

Abstract: A method at an electronic device with a display and an input device includes: selecting an image; selecting an interactive filter; generating interactive filter data associated with the image and corresponding to the selected interactive filter; displaying a first representation of the image in accordance with the interactive filter data; receiving a user input; and in accordance with the user input and the interactive filter data, displaying a second representation of the image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a tutorial for a video game are provided. The tutorial is characterized by a hierarchical data structure having a plurality of nodes connected by edges. Each node represents a video game stage and provides oral instructions on how to progress to another node. An edge represents head movements necessary to move to another node. At a computing device a current node is identified and the oral instructions associated with the node are provided. User head movements are sensed by a movement measuring component of the computing device and the current node and sensed user head movements are compared to edges associated with the current node. When a match is found, advancement to the node identified by the matching edge occurs. However, advancement is forgone when the user head movements do not match the head movements of any of the edges associated with the current node.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for using a hands free computing device. The device includes a processor, a head movement measuring component, screen, camera, microphone, and memory. Responsive to sensing an instruction by a user, an image is captured by the camera and displayed on the screen. There is recorded, using the microphone, an audible catch phrase provided by the user for the image. The audible catch phrase is converted to text that is superimposed on the image thereby making a fused image. The user identifies one or more remote recipients of the fused image by making one or more predetermined head movements to select from among recipient candidates. The fused image is communicated, with the text phrase formatted for scrambled display, to the one or more remote recipients. The fused image is displayed on remote devices associated with such recipients with the text phrase scrambled.