Long before WeChat 5.0 was released, various tech media outlets had already dissected it thoroughly. The iOS version of WeChat 5.0 was officially listed on the Apple App Store according to the rumored schedule, giving a much-needed adrenaline boost to the media and users who had been eagerly anticipating it for a long time. Just by looking at how my social circle was flooded with a very simple airplane shooting game, one could see how excited people were; scores in the millions were being achieved before noon.
Who still cares about Mobile QQ?
Regardless of whether the major upgrades in WeChat 5.0 brought joy or sorrow, it certainly captured everyone's attention. However, on the same day, Mobile QQ quietly upgraded from v4.2 to v4.2.1 in as low-key a manner as possible, adding a game center similar to WeChat 5.0. Perhaps Mobile QQ didn't want to be so low-key, but facing WeChat's overwhelming popularity, coupled with the pain of receiving tens of thousands of one-star reviews in May due to overly imitating WeChat, Mobile QQ chose silence. Tencent Technology didn't even release an update message until the afternoon, and it was rather lackluster. Compared to the harsh criticism it faced three months ago, Mobile QQ now barely has any value worth paying attention to.
The Struggle of Mobile QQ
From version 4.1 to 4.2, Mobile QQ basically reverted to its previous online display status, canceling the always-online mode similar to WeChat, turning offline user avatars back to gray. However, the personalized themes, colorful bubbles, and original emoticons added in version 4.2 made Mobile QQ's interface much more lively. Many women around me quite approved of these flashy decorations. But only two colorful bubbles can be used for free; the rest require becoming a QQ member to use. I think few people would recharge their membership just for a few bubbles. It would be better to price the bubbles separately and sell them in the same way as chargeable emoticons.
In today's upgraded Mobile QQ Game Center, there is also a three-match elimination game called "Everyday Love Elimination" like in WeChat 5.0. New users entering the game face a difficult choice: play with WeChat friends or QQ friends, which will determine which set of friend relationships the game reads to establish the score leaderboard. I don't know which side more people choose currently, but judging from the momentum of WeChat 5.0 bundling chargeable emoticons, bank card payments, QR code shopping, and other waves of commercial functions, taking away a large number of gaming users from Mobile QQ should not be difficult.
Just "Surviving"
As an IM tool, QQ still holds a significant advantage on the desktop end, continuously contributing traffic to Tencent's news, games, and e-commerce; but the mobile QQ has lost the ability to follow in WeChat's footsteps as a platform and has forfeited its qualification as Tencent Empire's "mobile internet ticket." It can only silently remain in the notification bar as an IM tool, helplessly watching its flourishing sibling gain all the world's favor. However, WeChat is ultimately a product positioned for mobile devices. As long as desktop QQ isn't overturned, Mobile QQ won't fall easily, though it will merely be "alive."
The opposite of love is not hate, but indifference