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AbacusTech

iOS 14 adds Apple’s answer to WeChat’s most powerful feature

  • Apple’s next iPhone operating system will introduce App Clips, a new feature similar to WeChat’s mini programs

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App Clips, coming with iOS 14, are designed to let users complete a quick task in seconds. (Picture: Apple)
Karen Chiu

A new feature is coming to the iPhone. But China says it’s old news.

App Clips, arriving with iOS 14, lets you use part of an app without downloading the whole thing.

There’s no need to visit the App Store or scroll through the screen to find the right app. Simply tap your iPhone on an NFC tag or scan a QR-like code (the new Apple Clip Code) with your camera. This brings up a small part of the app -- the only part that you need for a quick task like ordering takeout from a restaurant or paying for parking.

It’s a fresh approach for Apple. But it also reminds China’s users of something more familiar: WeChat’s mini programs.
“App Clips, aren’t these Allen Zhang’s mini programs?” asked one Weibo user, referring to the Tencent executive who created WeChat.

Mini programs are exactly what they sound like. They’re tiny apps that they live inside a bigger app -- WeChat. At less than 10MB each, they can download and install almost instantly. This means when you want to call a cab, you can simply go to WeChat and bring up a ride-hailing mini program. Mini programs can be found by scanning a QR code or searching by keywords. There’s no need to download an extra app.

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