The superpower could not resist the temptation to create a super messenger. Chat, order food at home, call a taxi, call a friend at the North Pole. All this is available if you have Wi-Fi, 3G and WeChat. What is this unusual Chinese application, and what miracles is it capable of? Read more about this.
What is WeChat?
The messenger was released in 2011 by Tencent Holdings Limited. The task of the developers was to create a universal social media platform. WeChat can be used simultaneously as a browser, e-wallet, Uber and at the same time order pizza. It turns out that WeChat is an application for every area of life, and not just communication.
WeChat's desire to dominate the mobile app market has been successful. The program has downloaded and installed 900 million users. This, of course, is a trifle against 2 billion Facebook subscribers. But the company continues to invest in the development of the messenger, to produce interesting and authentic additions.
Technical specifications and features
China is a country in which 90% of the 1.379 billion population use exclusively mobile devices. The inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom did not have time to enjoy the delights of a PC, and immediately switched to portable gadgets. Considering that WeChat is a Chinese development, the platform was originally created for iPhone, Android smartphones, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Symbian and J2ME / S40 smartphones.
WeChat was created using the Open Source libraries of the FFmpeg project and offers the entire standard set of IP-telephony:
- video and audio calls;
- group calls;
- the ability to share photos, like on social networks, as well as Instagram;
- a huge selection of stickers and emojis from professional designers;
- Free chats inside the app.
Unusual features of the "Great Chinese messenger"
The application added the function of voice messengers to its arsenal, which finally won the hearts of users. Now you can write messages on the go, running, everywhere and always, without the risk of falling. We can say that this is WeChat Walkie-Talkie. But the possibilities of the application do not end there:
- WeChat Out. This is a VoIP technology that allows you to make international calls to mobile and landline phones. Traffic in one minute is 200 KB.
- WeChat Shake. You need to select the Shake option and start shaking the phone. The application connects you with another user, who at this moment also shakes mobile. A fun and extraordinary way to make friends, or maybe find international love.
- People Nearby, or "People in the Neighborhood" - a service for meeting with neighbors. But if you use it on the territory of the CIS, only the Chinese are on the dating list. If you enable this feature, your profile will be available to other users within 30 minutes.
- Radar is similar to People in the Neighborhood. You are invited to meet those who also have radar on.
- "Bottle". You send your message in a bottle, it drifts by sea until one of the WeChat users reads it.
- WeRun. Shows how many steps you took during the day and the results of friends who also use WeRun. Achievements can be shared, like and comment.
Web app
Progressive Web Apps is a branded technology from Google. It is a new format for creating sites. The point is that the Internet resource can now be used as an application. Of course, Tencent took advantage of the progressive development and created Web WeChat.
The function allows users to register on third-party sites through a QR code without using a password. It is enough to bring a mobile phone to the screen with the code. After logging in, the resource will work as a native application with a clear and familiar navigation system:
- an icon for quick entry will appear on the mobile phone screen;
- You will receive push notifications even in offline mode;
- a progressive application runs much faster than a regular site.
If you are a developer and want to install WeChat PWA, register your account on the site. After registering and approving the application, you receive AppID and AppSecret for your progressive application. Now users after registration will be automatically redirected to your page by the temporary code parameter in the query line.
Wechat games
Tencent is a gaming giant. The success of Honor of Kings is proof of this. It is played by over 60 million people, and Monster Strike has become the highest grossing online game. Therefore, gamers are available a huge variety of WeChat games for Android and iPhone.
The set of games is constantly updated, all new ones are created - from poker to MMO strategies, RPGs, simulations, races and shooters. Available for download on the App Store or Google Play. We can say that Wechat is a next-gen social platform that will continue to evolve, surprising everyone with new developments.