WeChat to Suggest Applets Based on User Location
Sina Tech, 3/30/17
Tencent's (0700.HK) WeChat mobile messaging app recently added two new applet functions, in order to help businesses tap third-party developers for applet creation, and to provide applet suggestions based on users' location.
The "third-party platform" function lets third-party developers help businesses without the internal development capability to develop and operate an applet. A batch management option is included for third-party developers supporting more than one business customer.
The "nearby applet" function allows WeChat users to quickly find applets and services that are relevant to their current location.
The WeChat team said that its applets system will continue to be improved in the future, in several ways:
1. The development threshold will be lowered. In the future, an image-based editing mode may be added to allow developers to easily create an app by combining basic elements.
2. Applet capabilities will gradually increase. New functions may include integration with groups, augmented reality, image recognition, or audio recognition.
3. New discovery channels for applets may be added to enrich usage scenarios.
Editor's Note: For more information on this topic, please see "WeChat In-app 'Applet' Adds Six New Functions," MD 3/27/17 issue.
Keywords: mobile IM mobile SNS wireless Tencent 0700.HK WeChat mobile application