Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for sending ephemeral content messages via a communications service. An interface may be presented to allow a user to initially access ephemeral content functionality and select content for inclusion in the ephemeral content message. The interface may present a streamlined set of use cases without regard to the manner in which the content was initially captured. Different types of content may be used as ephemeral content, including images, videos, weather reports, news stories, text, audio recordings, location tags, etc. The ephemeral content may be sent through the communications service as an end-to-end encrypted message. When a user replies to an ephemeral content message, the reply may trigger a one-to-one conversation between the originating user and the replying user. Alternatively, an ephemeral content message may be initially sent to a selected group, and replies may be sent back to the entire group.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: Techniques to visualize messaging flow are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a messaging component operative to receive a message package at a client device, the message package comprising a primary message portion and a quoted message portion, the quoted message portion comprising a quoted message identifier; determine whether a quoted message store corresponding to the quoted message identifier is present on the client device; retrieve a primary message from the primary message portion; retrieve a quoted message based on the quoted message store where the quoted message store corresponding to the quoted message identifier is present on the client device; and retrieve the quoted message from the quoted message portion of the message package where the quoted message store corresponding to the quoted message identifier is not present on the client device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: Techniques for escalating temporary messaging bans are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a messaging server component operative to receive one or more messaging interactions from a messaging client on a client device at a messaging service, the messaging client associated with a user account for the messaging service; and impose a restriction on the user account from transmitting messaging using the messaging service for a duration based on a messaging ban duration; and an abuse monitoring component operative to analyze the one or more messaging interactions based on a plurality of messaging abuse criteria to determine that the user account meets a messaging abuse threshold; retrieve a messaging abuse punishment history for the user account; and determine a messaging ban duration based on the messaging abuse punishment history and the determination that the user account meets the messaging abuse threshold. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and methods are provided for facilitating payment for a third party's use of an application by a current user. The current user, or payor, initiates the process within the application by selecting one or more recipients. The system that hosts the application then determines which of the third parties are eligible. A target recipient may be ineligible because her application subscription never expires, because it doesn't expire within a threshold period of time, or for some other reason. The system identifies the target recipients that are eligible, and the payor may configure the gift payment (e.g., by choosing a duration of the subscription). The payor then chooses a method of electronic payment and, depending on the method selected, may redeem a coupon with the application host system, or the process may complete automatically. The payor and/or the recipient(s) may be notified of successful activation of the subscription(s).

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and methods are provided for facilitating payment for a third party's use of an application by a current user. The current user, or payor, initiates the process within the application by selecting one or more recipients. The system that hosts the application then determines which of the third parties are eligible. A target recipient may be ineligible because her application subscription never expires, because it doesn't expire within a threshold period of time, or for some other reason. The system identifies the target recipients that are eligible, and the payor may configure the gift payment (e.g., by choosing a duration of the subscription). The payor then chooses a method of electronic payment and, depending on the method selected, may redeem a coupon with the application host system, or the process may complete automatically. The payor and/or the recipient(s) may be notified of successful activation of the subscription(s).

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and methods are provided for supporting automated recall of a message (e.g., a chat message) from an originator's device, or at least media that accompanied the message. An original message may convey one or more media files that are temporarily stored on a system or apparatus that hosts the communication application used to create, send, and receive messages. The media files may be lost in transit because of failure of a system component, failure of a storage device, purging of the files before they are retrieved by a recipient, or for some other reason. When the recipient's device receives an error in response to an attempt to retrieve the media file(s), it automatically initiates a recall request that is returned to the originating device. If the message and media are still available on the device, an abbreviated version of the message is re-sent, with the media.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and methods are provided for supporting automated recall of a message (e.g., a chat message) from an originator's device, or at least media that accompanied the message. An original message may convey one or more media files that are temporarily stored on a system or apparatus that hosts the communication application used to create, send, and receive messages. The media files may be lost in transit because of failure of a system component, failure of a storage device, purging of the files before they are retrieved by a recipient, or for some other reason. When the recipient's device receives an error in response to an attempt to retrieve the media file(s), it automatically initiates a recall request that is returned to the originating device. If the message and media are still available on the device, an abbreviated version of the message is re-sent, with the media.

Abstract: Techniques for escalating temporary messaging bans are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a messaging server component operative to receive one or more messaging interactions from a messaging client on a client device at a messaging service, the messaging client associated with a user account for the messaging service; and impose a restriction on the user account from transmitting messaging using the messaging service for a duration based on a messaging ban duration; and an abuse monitoring component operative to analyze the one or more messaging interactions based on a plurality of messaging abuse criteria to determine that the user account meets a messaging abuse threshold; retrieve a messaging abuse punishment history for the user account; and determine a messaging ban duration based on the messaging abuse punishment history and the determination that the user account meets the messaging abuse threshold. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.