What is a WeChat applet?

In an advance, WeChat’s applets can now embed external webpages, which means they can have real-time updates like normal apps. With a WeChat applet, users don’t have to download apps and can save storage space.

Could applets overwhelm WeChat?

Lu Shushen, a founding team member of WeChat who has already left the company, said applets could have so many functions that may overwhelm the current smartphone system. Contact reporter Coco Feng ([email protected])

Are WeChat's applets facilitating more flexible applet development?

Wechat’s applets, by embedding external webpages, are “facilitating more flexible applet development,” WeChat said in its announcement Thursday. WeChat announced the new powers of its applets just before a significant shopping event gets underway. The “Double 11” online shopping festival, dubbed China’s “Black Friday,” starts Nov. 11.

What's new with WeChat's in-app applets?

WeChat announced that its in-app applets--mini programs that allow users to enjoy basic functions of some apps on the WeChat interface--can now do more than when they were first launched in January. In an advance, WeChat’s applets can now embed external webpages, which means they can have real-time updates like normal apps.

Will WeChat applets boost e-commerce?

E-commerce platforms like to offer customers frequently changing special offers, which WeChat applet users will see quickly like traditional app users. Wang Weixing, the founder of consumer media Ifanr, said the advance by WeChat applets will be a boost to e-commerce businesses.

Is WeChat a threat to smartphone apps?

Chinese tech giant Tencent has beefed up its wildly popular WeChat social-networking app in what could be a further threat to smartphone apps. WeChat announced that its in-app applets--mini programs that allow users to enjoy basic functions of some apps on the WeChat interface--can now do more than when they were first launched in January.