CONTEXT
Instant contact platforms are media that allow users to deliver information via calls, text messages or voice messages.
These platforms are usually free and runs on wifi or charged less than normal phone calls and text messages.
Instant Message platforms can also work as social network because they allow multimediacontent uploads and other functions beyond text messaging.
Instant Call is a new form of communi- cation that normally allows users to call other users on the platform for free.
OVERVIEW
RANKING
Tencent QQ # 2
Feixi # 3
Yixin # 4
Uxin # 5
Largest instant contact platform in China, Wechat as over 600million registered users. Its major feature is free texting and voice messages. It also allows photo, file transfer and other form of information exchange. The platform has been translated to several different languages and runs globally.
Instant Message(Text/Voice): Wechat • Tencent QQ • Miliao • Feixin
Instant Call: Yixin • YY • Youxin • Weihua • Weihua
Launched by China Mobile, Feixin is an intergrated instant contact platform that provides free text message, voice message services. The platform also allows group call and conversion between PC, Mac and smartphones. Feixin, currently has over 200 million registered users, it is one of the most popular communication tools in the market.
Tencent QQ
The major social product under Tencent, QQ has gained huge amount of loyal users over the past 15
years. The platform has a simple interface that allows instant messaging, video call, file transfer and
other conversational functions. Though QQ has large number of users, it is increasing slowly due to the
advent of Wechat and other new generation platforms.
YY
WESTERN COUNTERPARTS
MAJOR PLAYERS
Wechat # 1
Yixin
Feixin
Uxin
Uxin is a niche media platform that is specifically designed to provide online calling services. Users are able to contact other users for free. When travelling abroad, users are also provided with services without the need to dial area codes or personal numbers.
A product design by Wangyi and China telecom, Yixin is a Instant contact platform that supports free calls between users, international roaming and it allows users to dial landlines in other countries. Yixi also has the standard IM functions and file transfer capability.
INSTANT CONTACT
Miliao
Vhua
Miliao is a product derived from MI(Xiaomi Mobile). The platform contains voice message functions, photo uploads and a special algorithm
that helps recommnding possbile acquaintces or mutual friends. Milo is able to function via WiFi、3G、4G、GPRS and on android, iOS and windows phone
Focused on online call only, Weiliao is a Niche Instant Contact tool that runs under 3G and WiFi.
Weihua has a clean interface that can be customized by users. Though the functions are limited, weihao is very easy to use the file size is very small.
Trends
Instant Contact platforms are slowly replacing regular phone calls and text messages.
Currently the biggest player in the market is Wechat, which has a huge user base and is still growing rapidly.
Followed by QQ IM, which runs on a strong but slowly-growing user base.
Most instant call platforms are either founded by small companies with low budget which are limited in functions, or derived from major communication products as a minor feature.
Favored by gamers, YY is an online voice messaging platform. The platform has group messaging, video streaming, games and other featuers. YY's group messaging capacity is 10 thousand users and these users can be organized and assginened to smaller units. It is normally
used in large group communication
NICHE PLAYERS/OTHER
TBWA/Shanghai