Why It's So Hard for Meta, PayPal and X to Build a Super App Like WeChat | WSJ
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Published 2023-09-07
WSJ explains why, despite challenges, companies still see it as their holy grail product.
0:00 App efficiency
0:37 The appeal
2:18 U.S. issues
4:03 Regulation
4:48 What’s next?
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All Comments (21)
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The US/EU shouldn't want a single app with access to literally all of their identity, finance, and other security information. It creates a single point of failure that poses a major security threat to customers when that app is infiltrated
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Americans and Europeans (and others) already think big technology companies have too much power and lack of privacy so a Super App is a no go.
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While it is true that China has made significant strides in the development and adoption of super apps like WeChat, it is important to consider the unique factors that contribute to their success. China's digital landscape, regulatory environment, and consumer behavior differ significantly from those in the United States.
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Meta is trying to do the same thing in India with WhatsApp. Introduced payments, communities, channels, avatars and what not. It's downright scary what most people don't realize with an attitude of "I have nothing to hide"
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"Can you grab me a coffee?" "Grab your own coffee." No super-app required.
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The thing is every app in China is becoming super app not just WeChat, there are shopping app or gym app becoming social platform, and music app becoming livestream platform
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When you are jumping between the different screens and mini programs within WeChat, it doesn't feel seemless at all. It's no different to having separate apps. However, the great thing about it is everyone has it, so you can easily pay for things, transfer money etc. I can't see a similar app taking off in the West though.
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wow, opening 4 apps within a span of hours. truely a massive task. Are we really that low already?
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The thing is, iOS/Android are our Superapps. We have one screen with multiple buttons for different features. iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Pay, … there‘s no difference between having them as multiple tabs or multiple apps.
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Giving one organization control over everything is not always a good idea. Remember how when Google has an issue with one of the products you use they block your entire Google account preventing you access from every Google products you use.
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They missed the technically different insights. WeChat offers coders a frontend layer and lightweight scripting language functions and interfaces to develop their own services, known as WeChat Mini Programs. It is essentially a mimic of Google Play for Android OS services, but with a smaller, simpler, and lighter language and development procedure.
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There is a way to offer the convenience of a "super" app AND limit the power of tech giants. Anyone can create an app and through APIs, integrate services from the major platforms into one. It can be as separated (an app that then links to the 5 different websites - essentially a browser) or integrated as required. This does however require the big tech companies to open up their features through developer APIs.
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We have this in the usa and it’s called iOS. Imessage, Apple health, Apple Pay, etc... Apple is the tech giant collecting all of our data the same as WeChat (if not more), but it’s just packaged a little differently.
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super app being succesful is also have something to do with their autocratic system and rejecting US services like meta, google etc. Here in India super app approach has also hasn't got any traction for the same reason. Also people here are used to what they were already using since the start of digital services since 10-15 years.
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1:16 Many WeChat users in China use the app not because they like it, but because they believe it can do everything they need.
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Amazon is already on the way to do this in India. It already provided a range of services from banking to booking movie tickets and more.
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Why aren't things as efficient and all encompassing as in an authoritarian state?
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There is already a company that manages finance, messaging any other commodities you can think off. It's Apple, they already are a Super Company and the App Store it's a super app manages everything. US and European citizens don't see an issue with using multiple apps to fulfill their needs. Plus competition makes for a better costumer experience even if we sacrifice the commodity of having everything in one app.
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from a software security standpoint its a nightmare, from a software engineering standpoint its bloatware
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The super-app is a super bad idea. Because of security and because competition works.
