Abstract: Systems and methods for providing spotlight cards within a chat channel are provided. In an aspect, a method includes establishing, by a video conference provider, a first chat channel for exchanging chat messages between a plurality of client devices and receiving, by the video conference provider, an indication to generate a first spotlight card within the first chat channel, wherein the indication identifies spotlight content from a first resource external to the first chat channel. The method also includes generating, by the video conference provider, the first spotlight card identifying the spotlight content and transmitting, by the video conference provider to one or more of the client devices connected to the first chat channel, the first spotlight card for display within a spotlight panel within the first chat channel, the spotlight panel positioned proximate to a chat messaging panel including chat messages posted to the chat channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering media files in communication sessions are disclosed. User interfaces are displayed on first and second client devices. A media file is selected at the first client device and a representation of the media file is transmitted to the second client device. The representation is selectable within a sent message region of the user interface on the second client device. In response to selecting the representation of the media file, an embedded viewer is launched within the sent message region of the user interface of the second client device that includes embedded selectable controls which, when activated, control viewing or playback of the media file within the user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering media files in communication sessions are disclosed. User interfaces are displayed on first and second client devices. A media file is selected at the first client device and a representation of the media file is transmitted to the second client device. The representation is selectable within a sent message region of the user interface on the second client device. In response to selecting the representation of the media file, an embedded viewer is launched within the sent message region of the user interface of the second client device that includes embedded selectable controls which, when activated, control viewing or playback of the media file within the user interface.

Abstract: There is provided a method comprising: rendering, on a first area of a display controlled by a user terminal, visual data associated with a user participating in a call; determining that the user's connection to the call has ended; determining whether or not the ending of the connection is deliberate; and retaining the area of the display for the user for a predetermined amount of time in dependence on the determination of whether or not the ending of the connection is deliberate.

Abstract: There is provided a method comprising: rendering, on a first area of a display controlled by a user terminal, visual data associated with a user participating in a call; determining that the user's connection to the call has ended; determining whether or not the ending of the connection is deliberate; and retaining the area of the display for the user for a predetermined amount of time in dependence on the determination of whether or not the ending of the connection is deliberate.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and machine readable mediums which determine whether a computer participating in a network-based conversation deliberately left the network-based conversation. A time period is selected in response to the determination of whether the computer deliberately left the network conversation. After the time period has elapsed, removing a graphical indication of the computing device from a display of a second computing device still part of the network-based conversation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting an instant messaging communication session are disclosed. A method may include displaying an instant messaging user interface that includes a message composition region for composing an instant messaging communication. The method also includes receiving a selection of media for insertion into the instant messaging communication by receiving a reference to the media. The method may further include generating a link comprising an address of the selected media. The method also includes creating a selectable control with the link embedded therein in the user interface, and detecting selection of a selectable control. The method may further include displaying a video player region within the instant messaging user interface in response to the detected selection of the selectable control, and accessing a network element to play the media within a video player region in response to the detected selection of the selectable control.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and machine readable mediums which determine whether a computer participating in a network-based conversation deliberately left the network-based conversation. A time period is selected in response to the determination of whether the computer deliberately left the network conversation. After the time period has elapsed, removing a graphical indication of the computing device from a display of a second computing device still part of the network-based conversation.

Abstract: There is provided a method comprising: rendering, on a first area of a display controlled by a user terminal, visual data associated with a user participating in a call; determining that the user's connection to the call has ended; determining whether or not the ending of the connection is deliberate; and retaining the area of the display for the user for a predetermined amount of time in dependence on the determination of whether or not the ending of the connection is deliberate.

Abstract: There is provided a method comprising: transmitting, from a user terminal configured to control a display to a network entity, a request to receive visual data associated with a user on a call; receiving, at a user terminal from the network entity, an indication of the visual data; selecting a first area of the display in which to render the visual data in dependence on the aspect ratio of the indicated visual data; and rendering, by the user terminal, at least part of the indicated visual data in the first area of the display so that the at least part of the indicated visual data extends to the edges of the first area.

Abstract: There is provided a method comprising: rendering, on a first area of a display controlled by a user terminal, visual data associated with a user participating in a call; determining that the user's connection to the call has ended; determining whether or not the ending of the connection is deliberate; and retaining the area of the display for the user for a predetermined amount of time in dependence on the determination of whether or not the ending of the connection is deliberate.