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Chat platform is shaping up to be the next big thing in Social Media, some example: Snapchat, Whatsapp, WeChat, Line, Telegram, iMessage, Messenger etc.
Probably because these chat software is almost ubiquitous on any smartphone. Developers can incorporate extra features onto chat platforms relatively easily. The best example would of course be WeChat, which is integrated with Cab-hailing, digital Payment, social networking among others. Whatsapp (Facebook) is also testing digital payments on their platform.
However, full-fledged Apps are still relevant as they offer a much more complete experience. "Mini-programs" (WeChat) serves to attract more user to download the main app, rather than to completely substitute the standalone App experience:
Martin Lau Q4 2016 Earnings Call (https://seekingalpha.com/article/4057255...art=single):
(Vested in Facebook and Tencent)
Probably because these chat software is almost ubiquitous on any smartphone. Developers can incorporate extra features onto chat platforms relatively easily. The best example would of course be WeChat, which is integrated with Cab-hailing, digital Payment, social networking among others. Whatsapp (Facebook) is also testing digital payments on their platform.
However, full-fledged Apps are still relevant as they offer a much more complete experience. "Mini-programs" (WeChat) serves to attract more user to download the main app, rather than to completely substitute the standalone App experience:
Martin Lau Q4 2016 Earnings Call (https://seekingalpha.com/article/4057255...art=single):
Quote:Finally, I would like to share our thoughts about Mini Program, which has attracted quite a bit of attention when it was first launched in the beginning of the year. We view Mini Programs as an enhancement of our official account system designed connect offline service providers with users online. For service providers, Mini Programs allow them to present QR codes at their offline channels, which convert into an online interaction when users scan the QR codes. For users, Mini Programs enhance convenient and fast sampling of interactive experiences such as O2O services. Users who discover a service via Mini Programs may choose to go further and experience other functions in which case they would then download the service provider’s native application. As Mini Program is complementary to both Official Accounts and existing app ecosystem acting as an intermediary serving the process of user acquisition for app downloads.
One very good example of the usage of the Mini Program is with Mobike, which is a bike sharing in China. Mobike users can access its Mini Program when they scan QR codes that fit on their bikes. Once users initiate the Mini Program, they can use basic features such as registration, deposit paying and renting bikes. For those who want to have more comprehensive services, they can download the app and experience the full suite of mobile application capabilities. As a result, after Mobike launched its mini program, its saw a sharp increase in users for both its Mini Program and its native app.
We are excited about the user experience that can be created with mini programs and the benefits it brings to service providers and users. In line with Tencent’s philosophy, we will build our Mini Programs ecosystem at measured space to ensure the quality and variety of service offerings that will match our standards.
(Vested in Facebook and Tencent)