Detailed Study:

WeChat／微信

1. 微信的发展
The history behind WeChat/How WeChat has developed

2. 微信的用处和功能
Basic uses and functions of WeChat

3. 微信对人们日常生活的改变
How WeChat has impacted on the lives of individuals

1. The history behind WeChat/How WeChat has developed

- WeChat began as a project at Tencent Company at Guangzhou Research and Project
Centre in October 2010. The original version of the app was created by Zhang
XiaoLong, named ‘WeiXin’ by Ma HuaTeng, CEO of Tencent. The first version of the
app was released in 2011 and was a mobile-only messaging app.
- At this time, China already had the messaging apps such as QQ that were becoming
popular, but the goal of Tencent was to bring down the telco barriers that existed
between people.
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2. Basic uses and functions of WeChat

- WeChat started as a messaging only app. However, the developers gradually added
more features to make it more convenient for those using the app.

Messaging
- WeChat provides text messaging, hold-to-talk voice messaging, broadcast (one-to-
many) messaging, video conferencing, video games, sharing of photographs and
video and location sharing.
- Photographs may be edited with filters and captions and there is an automatic
translation service available.
- WeChat also allows exchanging contacts with people nearby via Bluetooth, as well as
providing features for contacting people at random, or the shake feature, which
allows people nearby who are shaking to find each other and add.
- WeChat can also integrate with other social networking services such as Facebook
and Tencent QQ.
- WeChat supports different instant messaging methods, including text message, voice
message, walkie talkie and stickers. Users can send previously saved live pictures or
videos, name cards of other uses, coupons, red-pocket money packages, or current
GPS locations with friends either individually or in a group chat.
3. How WeChat has impacted on the lives of individuals