Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
What's the most popular Instant Messaging client? That depends on what you mean by "popular," but did you think Tencent's QQ International was one of them? If popularity means number of users or size of the network, few of the well-known IM clients can approach Tencent's claims of more than 710 million users. As you might have guessed, QQ is one of the most popular IM and video chat tools in China, which means it's got a user base that's difficult to match. QQi gives international users access to QQi's immense Chinese network. It's available in several languages. It also integrates useful apps ranging from newsfeeds to games and videos, with more free apps you can add. Translations, currency conversions, and other apps essential to travelers make QQi worth adding to your system, even if you use a different IM client for other contacts.
QQi has an up-to-date user interface that can't be mistaken for anything but a chat app -- so far, so good. It's even got the obligatory cute animal mascot: a penguin with a red scarf. When we first signed on, QQi opened an excellent video user's guide that walked us through each step. QQi's apps are a significant part of the software's features and let users do everything from search for new friends to watch video to play games. The MyApps button on QQi's toolbar accesses your apps and lets you quickly add or remove them.
We found QQi as easy to set up and use as any of the better-known chat apps (after more than 700 million sign-ons, you tend to get the hang of it). We were also impressed with the quality of the English translations, which can be a weak spot when going global. QQi gives the impression of attention to detail. But it quickly became obvious that QQi emphasizes Chinese content, links, apps, and features. That's hardly surprising, and certainly no disadvantage: quite the reverse. QQi is specifically designed to let the world talk to China's billion Internet users, and it's by far the most capable and sophisticated tool of its type we've yet tried.
Publisher's Description
From Tencent QQ:
QQ International is not only instant messenger, it also offers at no cost lots of useful applications such as news feeds, language tools, games and videos, directory search and more. Getting apps onto your QQ International client can't be simpler. Just find the ones you want, then add to "My Apps" on your QQi main panel for easy access. With the new open platform feature, developers can build applications for QQ International and submit online for approval.
The client interface is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese and Korean, therefore you will likely find a language you feel comfortable with. Additionally, with our latest version (QQi 1.2), you can instantly translate your chats - a revolutionary feature breaking language barriers.
What's new in this version: Version 1.5 includes InstaViewer offers you personal Instagram feed and QQ Disk provides you 1GB storage in the cloud for free.
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 12 votes
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Current version:
3.5 starsout of 10 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-10 of 10
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"MSN's IM Successor"
Version: QQ International 1.5
Pros
Fully customisable (fonts, smilies- love the smilie doodle feature)
Excellent Group Chat features
Good inline image sharing/handling
No lagCons
Minor bugs (custom smilies not always saved)
Some parts are still in Chinese (e.g. Group file sharing)Summary
Much better and user friendly for chatting than Skype, it's the logical choice for anyone who disapproves MSN's shut down.
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"Can't live without it"
Version: QQ International 1.5
Pros
It quickly replaced any other IM installed on my computer because it's so easy to use, has a spectacular interface (a bit cartoonish and fully customizable!), and offers good video call functions which really hit the spot: I travel between the US and China and I need to keep in touch with lots of customers and suppliers on both sides of the world, and QQ International is definitely useful. It has a dictionary / translator embedded in the chat which is always useful, particularly since I started telling everybody to drop any other IM and start using this one :)
Cons
It'd be good to know if the conversations are encrypted or not. It doesn't say it anywhere. I guess they are but who knows? And yes - CNET, get the 1.6 version please update your links!
Summary
No questions: the best all-around IM on the market. Get the latest 1.6 though!
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"The best IM in the world"
Version: QQ International 1.5
Pros
QQ International is now my favorite IM and chat. I moved to China, where it's basically a must-have application because everybody uses it... and then I tried it, and fell in love with it. QQ beats every other instant messenger I've ever used because it has everything you need to chat and even more. Video calls and voice notes, a live translation widget integrated into the chat, screen sharing, file sharing (super useful because you can send files to offline friends!)... I just wish more people were using it in Europe where I'm from because this is seriously useful. Thumbs up!
Cons
Essential in China, but not widespread yet in the West
Summary
Just download it see for yourselves!
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"CNET, try deleting QQ and then rewrite your review..."
Version: QQ International 1.5
Pros
It takes iron determination to live in China and not have it, because it's a way of life for most Chinese, and not having it is inconvenient.
Cons
Try getting it off your computer without reformatting the hard drive. Any software that is impossible to delete is suspicious if only for that reason. A few years ago, I lent a spare laptop to a Chinese friend, with the expressed condition that they didn't download QQ. Apparently they couldn't resist the temptation, and I had to reformat my hard drive to get it off.
Summary
I was surprised and delighted to see a CNET review. I had decided to re-evaluate my firm decision never to download it on my computer again, as I had heard that it had improved in some ways. I live in China and it's a challenge not to have it. But I was shocked when CNET doesn't even mention the security issues. Has the writer of the article ever tried to delete QQ from his/her hard drive? Even if safety is no longer an issue (which I doubt) it used to be such a HUGE issue, CNET should have at least addressed it with a few lines. CNET's review hasn't helped me at all, because now I'm wondering with awe if it is even aware that there was/is a serious security issue--I mean, if people at CNET don't even know that this is the first issue that people reading a review about QQ would be worried about, then do they know anything outside of the West? (I suspect most of us reading this are expats in China who really need it to get in sync.)
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"QQ is a great alternative to the list of IM products"
Version: QQ International 1.5
Pros
Fast, Stable, Feature Packed -
All the features and functions are intuitive but many icons support "mouse-over" hints.
Several Western languages are supported in the International interface.
There are more than 260 fonts (if I didn't lose count) including many foriegn fonts, in multiple sizes and any color you'd want.
You can create categories for your contacts like Family, Friends, etc. etc.
Video/Audio communication is clear and fast.
There's an excellent screen-capture cut/paste feature.
Photos and other images can be pasted into the text box and transmitted.
Several groups of emoticons are available and you can add your own .jpg or .gif emoticons and images.
QQ handles large file transfer very well.
QQ has it's own email and the latest version allows on-line storage.
A complete history of your communications (all text and pictures) is stored locally on your computer.
Text can be sent to a recipient's mobile phone.
There are add-ons for games, news, personals, etc.Cons
None, really except for the lack of encryption (like you have in Skype) -- QQ is used by 99.9% of computer users in China, and the Chinese Government really prefers to be able to eaves-drop on it's citizens... but most other IM products don't support encryption either.
Summary
I started using QQ when the first International version came out. QQ has been the primary means of communication between my fiancee and me for more than 3 years. We found QQ to be more stable and reliable than other, similar, products like Windows Live Messenger, Skype and others we tried. The video is very good and I really like the ease of transfering pictures and other types of files. Oh, and the history feature came in real handy when we had to prove to Immigration that we had a long term relationship for her visa. Now she uses QQ every day to see and talk with her family and friends in China.
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"Won't install unless you accept Wajam"
Version: QQ International 1.5
Pros
I have not been able to use the program because it will not install unless you accept Wajam on your PC.
Cons
Unless you agree to accept the firefox add-on called Wajam the program will not install after download.
Summary
Did not get as far as trying QQ out because I do not want Wajam on my system as it has been likened to adware!
Am going to try a different download source to see if Wajam is specific to this CNET download or not. -
"Would not execute"
Version: QQ International 1.5
Pros
No pros at all.
Cons
Would not execute afterdownload. Received a error msg:
C:\Users\MyPC\Downloads\QQIntl1.5.exe is not a valid Win32 application.Summary
I am running Win7 Home Premium, Service Pack 1, 32-bit Operating System. A previous version of the software did work on my PC. Why remove the 32-bit option? Waste of a download over a dial up line.
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"One of the best ,maybe THE best video chat apps around"
Version: QQ International 1.5
Pros
So easy to use, a myriad of extra apps,file and picture transfer is simplicity itself. ok4mi2, I don't know why you could not 'work it'. No particular skill is required. I suggest you persevere and give it another try,because it is well worth it.Any problems , you could post on the QQ blog, one of its latest features.
rickmerrells..What do you mean by 'have to upgrade every time?'. Certainly not on QQ! I have used it daily for years, during which there have been only a handful of upgrades, each of which have added new features or languages.
You may need to check your system, or you could describe to QQ and get help fast.Cons
I've only one gripe, and its is not about the chat side.It is about the content of the 'Today' section. It is almost always full of reports from the USA, and extracts from various US papers, despite the fact that QQ International membership is widespread around so many of the world's countries.I would much rather read reports about China, from such papers as China Daily, and South China Morning Post, which should not be too difficult as QQ is owned by Ten Cent Inc., a HongKong quoted company.
Summary
Great! I no longer bother with any other chat programmes.
QQ membersip is now over 750 million -
"My Lack of interest bears on y lack of a review"
Version: QQ International 1.5
Pros
I just could not see how to work it. I guess just subscribe to certain groups, maybe, that is where I failed.
Cons
Not easy to rev up. Could see the obvious appeal which must be there somewhere. Not to be sarcastic but I expected more front end activity.
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"Best chat app"
Version: QQ International 1.5
Pros
light with rich features
Cons
have to upgrade everytime
Results 1-10 of 10
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