WeChat, a mobile social communications application designed for smartphone users, has launched its 5.1 upgrade which supports the latest iOS and Android versions, and allows users to use group messaging to converse with a regular of 40 users or join at most two sized-up group chats with up to 100 users each.
The latest version also offers new games and a host of other features.
The new games introduced include Gunz Dash, 2Day’s Match, and Craz3 Match. Gunz Dash is a 2D animated, side-scrolling race game where players can choose their favorite heroes as they embark on exciting adventures in a fantasy universe. Players can speed through worlds in either solo or multiple mode to collect coins for a high score. To enhance gaming experience, the setting of this game can be customized to activate music and sound effect.
A brand new casual puzzle game, 2Day’s Match works by matching two tiles of the same kind. Players can win the crown when they clear all pairs. Users of this game can switch from playing in solo stage mode to multiplayer mode which allows them to spark matches with his friends or people nearby.
WeChat’s Craz3 Match takes the puzzle gaming further. Players of this game have to match tiles in groups of three and eliminate some seriously cute animals. Users can also boost their scores with magical items like Quick Hint, Shark, Time Reverse, Unlock, and Level Up to boost their points against other players.
Another feature is the StoryCam, which can be downloaded for free, is an app where a user can edit or use his own words to describe the ‘what’, ‘where’, and ‘when’ of his photos. It can also enhance photos with up to 13 free filters and place watermarks wherever he wants on his photos. With five photo themes (Featured, Place, Weather, Food and Lifestyle) the app has to choose from and real-time location-based information, a user can personalize and share photos easily with his friends, on Moments or by email.
The new version has also added the following new features:
• A user can edit his favorite text and voice messages, photos and videos he saved to ‘Favorite Messages’- the first cloud-based storage service on mobile social communication apps – and add new content in any way he wants.
• To connect with WeChat, a user can register with his email address to start chatting with friends.
• A user can link to his Google account to find out who else is using WeChat and add them to his friends list.
According to Steve Zheng, Senior Development Manager, International Business Group at Tencent, WeChat is currently focusing on how to improve user experience. It comes with comprehensive privacy setting functions to protect privacy.
Globally, the number of registered users of WeChat has reached 500 million as of July 2013, 100 million of which comprised overseas users or users outside of China. In the Philippines, the number of WeChat users increased by more than 2,000%, from May 2013 to August 2013.
According to Zheng, the number of teens aged 16 to 19 who are using WeChat grew by 1,021% from the first quarter of 2013 to the third quarter of the same year. Citing analysis from Google Trends, Zheng said WeChat is the most-searched social messaging app in the Philippines.
