Techniques for animating stickers with sound

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

receiving a selection of an animated image at a client device, the animated image comprising a number of animation frames;

receiving audio input by the client device;

at periodical intervals during receipt of the audio input:

dividing an energy level exhibited in a plurality of recently received portions of the audio input into discrete intervals;

assigning a frame in the selected animation to each discrete interval of energy; and

assigning, to a most recently received portion of the audio input, the animation frame assigned to the discrete level of energy displayed by the most recently received portion;

receiving a user selection of a save control; and

saving the received audio and the assigned frames as an animated audio clip on the client device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving, in a user interface on the client device, a user selection of a record control;

receiving the audio input via a microphone on the client device; and

receiving a user control directive indicating termination of the audio input.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving a selection of an animated image comprises:

receiving a user selection of a visual representation of the animated image from a display of one or more visual representations.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

applying one or more post-animation effects to the saved animated audio clip.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the post-animation effects include one or more of background music, sound or voice distortion and alternations to the received audio input.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

receiving a user selection of a post-animation effects control;

displaying a dialog allowing the user selection of one or more post-animation effects; and

receiving a user selection of one or more post-animation effects.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a user selection of a send control;

incorporating the animate audio clip as part of a message composition in a messaging application; and

sending the composed message, including the animated audio clip, to one or more recipients.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

software, executing on the processor, the software configured to cause the processor to:

receive a selection of an animated image at a client device, the animated image comprising a number of animation frames;

receive audio input by the client device;

at periodical intervals during receipt of the audio input:

divide an energy level exhibited in a plurality of recently received portions of the audio input into discrete intervals;

assign a frame in the selected animation to each discrete interval of energy; and

assign, to a most recently received portion of the audio input, the animation frame assigned to the discrete level of energy displayed by the most recently received portion;

receive a user selection of a save control; and

save the received audio and the assigned frames as an animated audio clip on the client device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 comprising further software causing the processor to:

receive, in a user interface on the client device, a user selection of a record control;

receive the audio input via a microphone on the client device; and

receive a user control directive indicating termination of the audio input.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein receiving a selection of an animated image comprises:

receiving a user selection of a visual representation of the animated image from a display of one or more visual representations.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , comprising further software causing the processor to:

apply one or more post-animation effects to the saved animated audio clip.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the post-animation effects include one or more of background music, sound or voice distortion and alternations to the received audio input.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 comprising further software causing the processor to:

receive a user selection of a post-animation effects control;

display a dialog allowing the user selection of one or more post-animation effects; and

receive a user selection of one or more post-animation effects.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 comprising further software causing the processor to:

receive a user selection of a send control;

incorporate the animate audio clip as part of a message composition in a messaging application; and

send the composed message, including the animated audio clip, to one or more recipients.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for an application component that, when executed, cause a device to:

receive a selection of an animated image at a client device, the animated image comprising a number of animation frames;

receive audio input by the client device;

at periodical intervals during receipt of the audio input:

divide an energy level exhibited in a plurality of recently received portions of the audio input into discrete intervals;

assign a frame in the selected animation to each discrete interval of energy; and

assign, to a most recently received portion of the audio input, the animation frame assigned to the discrete level of energy displayed by the most recently received portion;

receive a user selection of a save control; and

save the received audio and the assigned frames as an animated audio clip on the client device.

16. The medium of claim 15 comprising further instructions causing the device to:

receive, in a user interface on the client device, a user selection of a record control;

receive the audio input via a microphone on the client device; and

receive a user control directive indicating termination of the audio input.

17. The medium of claim 15 wherein receiving a selection of an animated image comprises further instructions causing the device to:

receive a user selection of a visual representation of the animated image from a display of one or more visual representations.

18. The medium of claim 15 comprising further instructions causing the device to:

apply one or more post-animation effects to the saved animated audio clip;

wherein the post-animation effects include one or more of background music, sound or voice distortion and alternations to the received audio input.

19. The medium of claim 18 comprising further instructions causing the device to:

receive a user selection of a post-animation effects control;

display a dialog allowing the user selection of one or more post-animation effects; and

receive a user selection of one or more post-animation effects.

20. The medium of claim 15 comprising further instructions causing the device to:

receive a user selection of a send control;

incorporate the animate audio clip as part of a message composition in a messaging application; and

send the composed message, including the animated audio clip, to one or more recipients.