wechat（微信）
 

9/13/2015 update
This morning, I created a group named "ft people on wechat". I am pretty sure you can join it by searching for it. If not, just add me (moondogsh), and I'll add you to the group.

The reason I created this group is two-fold:
1. The bj/sh meetings threads here are useless
2. Wechat is a lot more advanced than IB
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Since I didn't have a smart phone for several months last year, I was kind of slow to the punch bowl on this phenomenon, but now that I'm on board, I must say that I'm completely wowed. It's nearly as disruptive as the iPhone (leaves other chat clients in the dust, and is extremely "social").

This is just the latest case of a Chinese company copying a Western technology and making it categorically better (other examples include weibo v. Twitter, Qunar v. Kayak, QQ v. MSN, and Dianping v. Groupon).

I particularly like the feature that allows you to switch between your phone and your computer using the QR code (first time I've ever seen a good use for QR codes), though I must admit that offering a PC based client would address the same problem.

^

Lots of my Chinese friends are hooked on wechat and got me onboard last year. Voice and video capability built in. Very easy to chat with one or several friends at the same time.

The WSJ had a few articles highlighting Tencent's push via wechat and the large increase in subscriber base.

I use it all the time to chat with my Chinese friends, seems to have taken over QQ.

Sorry haven't found some obvious difference btw wechat (微信) and QQ. QQ has been working well for me. Should I use wechat?

Well, they're both Tencent products, but it's sort of like comparing DOS and Windows (same company, same basic functionality; the latter is far richer).

You can send QQ messages through weixin

Its OK - I find the app to be a little bit slower, but more consistent than QQs. Meaning it never freezes like the QQ one.

When you see people listening to what seems to be a voicemail over and over again....it's weixin

Wechat allows you to leave short audio messages. And the best feature is I don't have to hear the annoying beep beep beep beep beep noise of QQ all around anymore, esp the subway.

Yeah, wexin/wechat is great for voice messages.

Ah... I have to agree with you guys the voice (audio) messages is great feature Wechat has but QQ doesn't have.

The copies though are needed for increased control, that's about it.
(Then again I have a work VPN for China/UAE/Saudi travel)

This 'voice message' thing can get super annoying! My wife's cousin and friends are constantly doing the voice thing when we go out drinking with them. I find it silly... I mean if you gonna send/receive 10+ voice messages, might as well just dial that person and talk it out! Girls seem to love this feature though...

I can't believe there is a discussion of we chat without a mention of it's most used feature! The "look around" function that allows you to view all users close by you which can be further sorted either into male or female users.

ie.. the "Shake" function. I have some friends here in HK that use to exclusively try to pick up girls...

One can leave short audio messages on WhatsApp too (i know a Chinese friend of mine has done it). was a surprise to me!

One of my friends taught me about "shaking" a few days ago... even more fun than "look around".

Anyone know how to add QQ contacts using WeChat? It's the only thing I find myself still logging into QQ to do.