Chat Applications

Amrita Srivastava • 04.04.2016

Overview

Online chat is a form of communication that allow for two way conversations between users in real time .

Users will connect to a chat server using chat client and meet in a chat room. Once the users in same room they can converse with each other.

Conversation carried out by reading messages entered by other users in chat room and responding to them.

How does Online Chat Work

Technology that allow users to converse in real time via typed messages are chat servers and chat clients.

Chat Server is a specially equipped computer connected to internet that allows users with chat clients to converse with another via typed message in real time.

More Popular chat servers are dal.net, under.net

Chat client is a software program that allows users to connect to chat servers and communicate with other users via chat room

Chat Applications

Following five chat apps are studied to find out features: -

Whats’s app,

Wechat,

Hike,

Viber,

SnapChat

Features

Voice Chat :- This feature turns smartphone into a walkie-talkie. We can use this feature under the chat window by simply switch “send message” into “hold to talk.” When user finish a sentence, simply release the “hold to talk” button to send voice chat message.

Group Chat :– Select the contacts to add and click ok to start group chat. Opening your own group chat by select the wand button “start chat” and then choose friends whom you want to join in the group chat.

Note:- WeChat allows to add 40 members at maximum in the group chat section.

Video Call :- Video call is provided by few chat services . User can switch between audio and video call. Allows users to make face-to-face video calls by simply press “+” and select “video call” icon under the chat window.

Features Contd..Moments :– Select the camera and action can be taken and moments can be shared

to social media. Pictures can be customised by visibility settings.

Sticker Gallery :- Stickers can be choose from gallery

Broadcast messages :– Messages can be broadcasted to friends

Friend Radar:- Everyone who is using the feature will pop up on radar screen. Just tap each icon to add them to contact list.

Favorite Messages :– Saved messages in favorite message can be found

Group Chat QR Code :- Friends can be invited via QR code also. (Note :- This feature is available in the latest versions of WeChat for iOS and

Android)

Features Contd..

Chat History backup :- Chat history can be backed up and it can be restored in new device. Following sub-features of chat functionality are :-

● Add Chat ● Delete Chat● Archive Chat● Email Chat● mark as read● Add chat shortcut● Group Info● Exit group● Archive Chat● email chat● mark as unread

Features Contd..

Shake – Find people who are aroundPeople Nearby :- People Nearby needs to access location data. Walkie Talkie :- An invitation message will be sent to the group chat's members automatically. Emoticons :- User can customize emoticon . Users can also add their own emoticons by simply download

from Website, or choosing from own photo album.

Offline chat :- User can send offline messages if user is offline or online.Notifications :- following notifications can be set in chat :-

1. Use Custom notification2. Notification tone3. Vibrate4. pop up notification5. light6. ringtone

Sharing :- Photos, videos and document, pdf etc can be shared to friend.

Features Contd..Hidden Mode :- This allows users to keep their private chat hidden such as no person

will ever came to know that they are hidden. These conversation can only be opened if right hidden mode password is entered.

Selected Online :- Customization and flexibility in online visibility to others is possible in Hike chat but not in whatsapp.

Typing Indicator :- Display indication when contact is responding.

Spell Checker :- Eliminate spelling mistakes with powerful spell checker, which automatically outlines mistakes as type.

Contact Status and Presence :- Able to view contact's status and presence.

Draw on Photos : User can create and share pictures with own doodle

Temporary Images/Texts: Temporary images and texts can be shared which will be self destruct after a short time.

What’s app vs WeChatWhat’s App

Group Messaging on Whatsapp is restricted to just 30 members.

It does not supports video calling.

New images cannot be saved in emoticon gallery.

It does not supports Social network integration.

In What’s app we can share contact easily.

WeChat

In WeChat up to 40 members can be added for group messaging.

It Supports Video Call.

Any image can be saved and used as an emoticon.

It supports Social network integration.

In WeChat we can not share contact easily.

WeChat Vs HikeWechat

In Wechat we can have one-on-one

conversation with video.

In wechat we can stay invisible. Need not to

logout in order to appear offline.

Group Video Chat

Two way voice chat is possible in Wechat but in

Hike voice chat is not possible.

34.5 MB size of wechat app (IOS), 25 MB for

android

4.2 rating on Google play

Hike

It uses “two-way opt-in”. Add or accept contacts before being able to message. It prevents strangers sending unwanted messages.

In Hike, we can receive messages in offline mode also.

In hike we can see message seen notification , whereas in WeChat we can not.

18.4 MB size of Hike chat(IOS), 12.2 MB for Android

4.3 rating on Google Play

Hike Vs Viber

Hike

18.4 MB for IOS

12.2 MB for Android

Hike shows that someone is typing.

Hike provide End-to-end encryption. It protects data between two communicating parties and ensures that only the intended receiver can access the unencrypted information.

Music files can be shared.

4.3 rate on google play

Viber

35.7 MB for IOS

19 MB for Android

In Viber , we can not find out that someone is typing.

In Viber two way video chat and group video chat facility is there.

Music files can not be shared

With Built in translator user can easily communicate across different languages.

Viber have group chat facility whereas Hike does not have.

4.4 rate on google play

Viber Vs Snapchat

Viber

It is available on PC whereas Snapchat is not available.

Search Option is there to find specific text

35.7 MB size for IOS APP

19 MB size for Android App

4.4 rating on google play

SnapChat

Temporary text messages and images can be sent which will be destruct after a short time .

Caption and Title to any photos

8.7 MB size for IOS APP

7.35 MB for Android App

4.1 rating on google play