August 2012: Tencent and Sina still leading social sharing, no change in Top 9, social app of China Mobile rising

Tencent with Qzone and TencentWeibo is still leading social interactions in China but those applications lost some of their influence.

Mobile and social applications are on the rise: for example, WeiXin (WeChat) from Tencent (not included in this ranking) and FeiXin from China Mobile.

 

Most Popular Application, WeChat: New Version 4.3

The new version of WeChat offers new features that are fun and increase interactions between users making the transfer of content easier from your personal computer to WeChat application, from Facebook to WeChat.

Web Grab, making easier transfers of files to WeChat

If you download a plug-in prepared by WeChat, this new feature allows you to pull images straight from your computer Internet browser to your smartphone.

Connecting “Moments” images to US social networks, Twitter and Facebook

Now you can share your “Moments” photos on Twitter. Also you are able to download your Facebook pictures to WeChat “Moments”.

Adding Facebook Pictures

Adding customization to information flow

Favorite conversations can be on top of the chat list. To do so, you can switch on   the “Always on Top” feature.

Getting favorite conversations on top of the chat list

All images of a unique conversation can be viewed.

You can decide the status of your photos between “private” and “public”.

“Moments” from the contacts you want can be hidden.

Other great features are expected later.

The High Involvement of Chinese Internet Users

China has not only the largest online population but also the most involved users. Almost half this population is mobile only (1).

There are multiple reasons for high involvement including:

 

Age of the Population:

The Internet population is younger in China than in the United States and Europe.

 

Way of Life:

Some people see the online world like a private area where they can affirm their individuality and have a second life.

Other people eat outside and feel the need to be in contact with their closed relatives: friends, family and even colleagues.

Sources:

OnDevice Research, March 2012, URL: http://www.slideshare.net/OnDevice/post-pc-erathe-mobile-only-internet-generation-china