WeChat: an app for modern moms

Here is a Trivia: I am not so fond about cellphones, I can live without it. I am still using an outdated model but reliable phone and I just don’t care. Every now and then, I see people online raving about having the newest phone and I feel weird because it’s not just appealing to me.

Honestly, I need my laptop more than a cellphone. But since I am an active blogger, I think I need to upgrade and be always online. An android phone would be easier to carry around than a laptop, right?!

Yesterday, I went to the nearest mall with my son to look for a new Android phone. After a lot of choosing we finally chose one. Now, the problem is that what are the essential apps that I needed to install which will help me make my life easier as a mom who struggles to do the household chores and still be able to be online at the same time.  I need something that will help me stay connected with my friends and families especially if I don’t have a load or I have a limited budget.  I am glad to know that through researching and reading some reviews, I found out about WeChat.

And I am happy to announce that they are now my new blog partner.

WeChat empowers users in fun and dynamic ways by bringing together messaging, social communication and gaming in one seamless, interactive experience, with comprehensive privacy and security settings that can be tailored as needed.

WeChat is an all-in-one app that enables users to add friends with several innovative features. These include highly convenient and reliable QR code scanning, phonebook and location-based connection services such as “Hold Together”, “People Nearby” and “Shake.” The platform facilitates social interaction with real-time “Walkie Talkie,” “Voice Call,” and “Video Call.” Supported on data networks and Wi-Fi, WeChat makes it easy to stay connected with friends anywhere, anytime. Users can choose to communicate and share photos one-on-one, or within their closed social network through “Moments”. The popular WeChat Sticker Shop has a variety of fun animated emoticons to express any emotion. Also, with a host of addictive WeChat Games, users can play and challenge their friends on the move, share scores and even find competitors nearby.

WeChat now has 6 new features with the WeChat 5.2 version  

Menu Bar
WeChat 5.2 opens to a clearer interface which has its many features compartmentalized into three sections: Chats, Discover, and Contacts. Chats lets you continue with your current conversations, while Contacts allows you to start new exchanges with your friends. For the rest of your favorite, fun features, one tap of the Discover tab easily takes you to your Moments feed as well as options including Scan QR Code, Shake, People Nearby, Drift Bottle, Games, and Sticker Shop.

 

Friend Radar
WeChat’s Friend Radar feature can automatically identify other users within the vicinity and give you the option to add them to your contact list with one tap of their images. This crosses out the fuss of having to exchange little details and gives you more liberty to continue chatting with your newfound clique. Whether you’re in La Union for a yoga-surf-flow retreat or in Cebu for a festival, Friend Radar accessed through the Menu Bar > Add Contacts does the digital friend-scanning for you, as you connect with the same people in person.

Real-time Location-sharing
Planning to go bazaar-hopping with a group of friends for the weekend? Never leave anyone behind and keep everyone in the loop by using WeChat’s Real-time Location-sharing feature. Invite your friends to share where they are and help them navigate their way on the WeChat map and through an integrated walkie-talkie session. Simply open a chat > + > Locations > Real-time Location > to view one another’s maps.

Group Chat Photo Album
If you want to upload photos in your social networking accounts but having problems scrolling through endless chats, WeChat’s 5.2 has the solution for you. With the integration of a Group Chat Photo Album, photos shared in your group chat—whether for skating trips in the metro or diving sessions at Palawan—are arranged by date and then stored in one location accessed through one tap of the Photo Album icon.

Universal Search
Don’t worry if you forgot that important date or name in a chat conversation. With WeChat’s Universal Search feature, you can quickly refer back to any message or contact by typing into the search field within the Chats tab.

Contact List Customization Reveling in social setting such as Bonifacio Global City or 71 Gramercy can build up your contact list as quick as a wildfire. Manage your networks by with WeChat’s Contact List Customization feature, which gives you the option to add photos, addresses and business cards to your friends’ profiles.

Apart from these updates, WeChat 5.2 for Android also comes with enhanced versions of its staple features. Among these include more animated stickers from Sticker Shop which capture your experiential responses; Group Chat Mention Notifications which will notify you when your name is mentioned in a Group Chat; boosted quality for Video and Audio Chats; and a LinkedIn Account in WeChat which lets you grow your professional circle. All of this, complemented with the new, easy-to-use interface means more possibilities for your social life.

To upgrade now and for the latest updates, visit www.wechat.com