Yesterday, 20th June 2018, WeChat’s rolled out its newest 6.7.0 version on iOS and we are here to share the low down with you! Android users, don’t despair. You will receive this new update soon enough!
The format of a subscription account’s articles have been revised to that of a news-feed style. It encourages a more user-friendly experience and greater exposure to articles across all subscription accounts. So what would you, as a user, be expecting?
1. Greater emphasis on articles’ timeliness
Before
Articles from ‘sticky-on-top’ accounts will be listed towards the top, where unread articles will be indicated with a red dot next to its display logo. Only then will the articles from other ‘non sticky-on-top’ subscription accounts be displayed in order of time update.
After
Information updates will no longer be parked under each account’s folder. Graphics, text, pictures and video information are arranged in reverse order of time update so that users can view latest articles on first glance.
2. The emphasis on front cover and title are stronger
Before
The list of content is presented in the form of a list with a teaser description displayed in lighter grey font at the bottom left to encourage click through.
After
The content list now takes on the form of a card style layout containing a logo, subscription account name, topic and large image. A user can immediately click the content list into the article.
3. Revision in front cover image size
Before
Headline cover image size was 900×500
After
Headline cover image size is 2.35:1, which translates to 900×383 – much shorter than before.
4. Limited content list display for each account’s article push
Before
When each subscription account pushes out multiple articles at one go, a user will be able to see all of them being listed down in when they enter the main interface of the account. Information is being displayed comprehensively here
After
Now, a user is only allowed to see up to 2 articles on each push the subscription account does. If there are 3, 4 or even 8 pieces of articles, the user needs to manually click on ‘X article(s) remaining’.
5. No distinction to be made between read and unread articles
Before
When there are unread articles, there will be a red dot that appears beside the display logo. It is clear which account has articles that have not been read at one glance. Newly pushed articles will not show which friends have read it.
After
There is no distinction between read and unread articles of any subscription account. A lot of memory work will be required to distinguish read and unread articles. On the other hand, newly published articles will state the number of friends that have read them. For users who are interested to know more about their friends’ general reading habits, this function allows them to quickly find common topics that their friends are reading at the moment.
6. “Star” your favourite subscription account; Seeing the original subscription folder interface
Before
Subscription accounts that have enabled “sticky on top” will always be pushed to the top of the subscription folder. Following on after these accounts will be accounts that are not “sticky on top”.
After
“Sticky on top” is replaced with “star”. Subscription accounts that are set with the “Star” can still be visible on the original subscription folder viewing mode. The original folder interface can be viewed by clicking the burger menu on the top right corner of the subscription folder feed.
7. Harder to get to the Navigational Menu Bar
Before
Only 2 steps are required to get to the subscription account’s navigational menu bar
After
At least 3 steps are needed to land on the subscription account’s navigational menu bar
8. “Unfollow” with more convenience
Before
In order to unfollow, you will need go into the official account, locate the (•••) menu on the on the upper right corner of the official account to locate the “unfollow” button within a menu pop up, which is very subtle.
After
Within the feed in the subscription folder, simply swipe left on the official account to locate the “Unfollow” button. Another amendment by Tencent to create convenience for users to unfollow an official account is by adding the “Unfollow” button right beside the “View (official account)” button when one clicks into the logo of the official account instead of going into the article.
