LONDON: WeChat allows you to connect with family, friends and even strangers via your mobile device. It is a cross-platform social messaging app compatible with Windows, iOS, Android, Symbian and Blackberry Smartphones. Most people think WeChat is just another version of WhatsApp. In reality, however, WeChat is far superior to WhatsApp in many areas.
A Brief History of WeChat
WeChat is a product of a Chinese company known as Tencent Holdings. It was launched in 2011 and as such has been around for quite a while. It used to be known as “Weixin” until the app met the international market standard. The owners decided to upgrade it with seven popular international languages, Facebook connect and other new features. With the addition of the English language to the application, the owners changed the name of the app to WeChat. As of now, WeChat already has hundreds of millions of users worldwide. This has made it one of the most popular messenger apps in the world at the moment.
Features of WeChat App
Moments
One Reason why people love WhatsApp is because it lets them share pictures and audio/video files so easily. But WeChat has gone an extra mile. They have a special feature “Moments” that allows you to share photos not just with your WeChat friends, but with everyone. It is similar to using Public feature on your Facebook account.
Social Networking
Unlike WhatsApp and Skype, WeChat is not just an instant messaging app. The app provides social networking features as well. It even lets you integrate your WeChat account to your Facebook profile.
Look Around
WeChat does not just focus on your network of friends. It provides a Look Around feature that helps you in expanding your network. Using this feature, you can look around for active app users in a specific area and connect with them.
Shake
Another unique feature that you might have never heard about is the Shake Feature. When you shake your phone, you will be able to see those who are also shaking their phones at that time no matter where they are. Shake is a fun way to find new friends both locally and around the world. It is also an interesting way to kill time. You only need to be careful not to reveal your private information to strangers.
Drift Bottle
This is one of the features most of us cannot do without. Many people simply love it. You can throw a bottle into the sea with a voice message or text message. Someone from anywhere in the world can pick it. You can also pick bottles too. You will not be able to know the person who picked or tossed the bottle unless you make friends.
Video Calls
Similar to WhatsApp and Skype, WeChat allows you to make face-to-face video calls. You only need to select and press the video call icon. The process is a lot more fun and easy.
It is free
While other instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp charges you a usage fee every year, WeChat says it is free forever. There is no nominal usage fee at all.
