Generating photo animations

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a processor, a plurality of photos from a user;

selecting photos from the plurality of photos that meet one or more predetermined similarity criteria;

preprocessing the selected photos, wherein the preprocessing includes:

normalizing the selected photos by adjusting an image contrast in the selected photos; and

stabilizing the selected photos by:

determining one or more objects and a background for each of the selected photos;

determining background motion by a comparison of the one or more objects and the background for each of the selected photos with other photos of the selected photos; and

applying a perspective transform to each of the selected photos based on the background motion; and

generating an animation using the selected photos, wherein the generating of the animation comprises:

determining a frame rate for the animation; and

enabling the selected photos to be displayed sequentially in a same portion of a display screen based on the frame rate.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more predetermined similarity criteria include a determination of similar content in the selected photos.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more predetermined similarity criteria include a determination that the selected photos were captured within a predetermined time period.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating of the animation comprises including a looping function in the animation.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising notifying the user of the animation.

6. A method comprising:

receiving, by a processor, a plurality of photos from a user;

selecting photos from the plurality of photos that meet one or more predetermined similarity criteria; and

preprocessing the selected photos by normalizing the selected photos and stabilizing the selected photos, wherein stabilizing the selected photos comprises:

determining one or more objects and a background for each of the selected photos;

determining background motion by a comparison of the one or more objects and the background for each of the selected photos with other photos of the selected photos; and

applying a perspective transform to each of the selected photos based on the background motion; and

generating an animation using the selected photos, wherein the generating of the animation comprises:

determining a frame rate for the animation based on a capture rate of the selected photos; and

enabling the selected photos to be displayed sequentially in a same portion of a display screen based on the frame rate.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the one or more predetermined similarity criteria include a determination of similar content in the selected photos.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the one or more predetermined similarity criteria include a determination that the selected photos were captured within a predetermined time period.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein:

selecting the photos from the plurality of photos includes identifying two or more separate groups of photos that include a same object; and

the animation includes the two or more separate groups of photos that include the same object.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein normalizing the selected photos includes normalizing one or more of exposure, brightness, and contrast.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein determining the frame rate for the animation based on the capture rate of the selected photos comprises:

identifying the capture rate of the selected photos;

determining that the capture rate meets a predetermined threshold; and

selecting the frame rate for the animation based on the capture rate.

12. The method of claim 6 , wherein selecting the photos from the plurality of photos includes selecting photos such that a total number of selected photos meets a predetermined threshold number of photos.

13. The method of claim 6 , wherein the generating of the animation comprises including a looping function in the animation.

14. The method of claim 6 , further comprising notifying the user of the animation by causing a visual badge to overlay an image associated with the animation.

15. A system comprising:

one or more processors; and

logic encoded in one or more tangible media for execution by the one or more processors and when executed operable to perform operations comprising:

receiving a plurality of photos from a user;

selecting photos from the plurality of photos that meet one or more predetermined similarity criteria;

preprocessing the selected photos, wherein the preprocessing includes:

normalizing the selected photos by adjusting an image contrast in the selected photos; and

stabilizing the selected photos by:

determining one or more objects and a background for each of the selected photos;

determining background motion by a comparison of the one or more objects and the background for each of the selected photos with other photos of the selected photos; and

applying a perspective transform to each of the selected photos based on the background motion; and

generating an animation using the selected photos, wherein the generating of the animation comprises:

determining a frame rate for the animation by:

identifying a capture rate of the selected photos;

determining that the capture rate meets a predetermined threshold; and

selecting the frame rate for the animation based on the capture rate; and

enabling the selected photos to be displayed sequentially in a same portion of a display screen based on the frame rate.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the one or more predetermined similarity criteria include a determination of similar content in the selected photos.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the one or more predetermined similarity criteria include a determination that the selected photos were captured within a predetermined time period.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein:

selecting the photos from the plurality of photos includes identifying two or more separate groups of photos that include a same object; and

the animation includes the two or more separate groups of photos that include the same object.

19. The system of claim 15 , wherein normalizing the selected photos includes normalizing one or more of exposure, brightness, and contrast.

20. The system of claim 15 , wherein stabilizing the selected photos comprises:

identifying a capture rate of the selected photos;

determining that the capture rate meets a predetermined threshold; and

selecting the frame rate for the animation based on the capture rate.