1. Technical Field
One or more embodiments relate generally to electronic messaging systems and methods. More specifically, one or more embodiments relate to systems and methods for increasing functionality in an electronic messaging system.
2. Background and Relevant Art
Computing devices (e.g., computers, tablets, and smart phones) provide numerous ways for people to connect and communicate with one another. For example, a variety of electronic messaging systems provide various methods to send and receive electronic messages. For instance, a computing device can allow a user to communicate with other users using text messaging, instant messaging, social network posting, and other forms of electronic communication. In addition, an electronic communication may include a variety of content including text, images, video, audio, and/or other multimedia. In general, electronic communication has become a popular way for people to connect and communicate with one another.
Including multimedia in electronic communications has become an especially popular way to add humor, context, and information to an electronic communication session. For example, a user may send a digital photograph to a co-user indicating his location. Similarly, a user may send a video laughing in response to an electronic message that includes a joke. Thus, including multimedia is an easy way to add a layer of expression to an electronic communication session that is typically difficult with only textual electronic messages.
Conventional processes for including multimedia in an electronic communication are generally problematic. For example, a user typical navigates away from an electronic communication interface in order to capture a digital photograph or video for inclusion in an electronic communication session. Navigating away from the electronic communication interface, however, can cause a user to miss messages or otherwise make adding a multimedia content item time consuming and frustrating for a user.
Additionally, capturing a multimedia content item and including the multimedia content item in an electronic communication is a process that typically includes multiple user interactions. For example, generally a user interacts with a user interface in order to transition from an electronic communication interface to a camera viewfinder interface. More user interactions are generally required to capture the multimedia content item (i.e., photograph or video), transition back to the electronic communication interface, and finally send the multimedia content item to a co-user as part of an electronic communication. The multiple user interactions typically needed to capture multimedia and include the captured multimedia in an electronic communication add extra steps and hassle to the process of composing an electronic communication.
Thus, there are several disadvantages to current methods for capturing and sending multimedia in a messaging application.