John and Matthew talk about WeChat's mini-programs. Introduced earlier this year, the full potential of mini-programs were not apparent at launch, leading some to speculate that they would never be useful. Matt is pretty bullish while John has a wait-and-see attitude. Questions they answer:

• What are mini-programs?
• Are these mini-apps or mini-programs?
• How are they different from apps? How are they different from WeChat official accounts?
• What are the advantages to users of using mini-programs? What are the advantages to businesses of using mini-programs?
• What are the drawbacks of using mini-programs?
• How do users find mini-programs?

Links * TechNode: Panel: WeChat mini-apps have promise, but fail to deliver * John Artman: Data from Cheetah Global Lab reinforces that WeChat IS the Chinese internet * China Tech Insights: WeChat User & Business Ecosystem Report 2017 | Exclusive * Matthew Brennan: Wechat Podcast Mini Programs * Matthew Brennan: List of 100 WeChat Mini Programs * Matthew Brennan: WeChat launches new style QR codes For Mini Programs * Matthew Brennan: How To Use WeChat Mini Programs

Hosts * John Artman, @knowsnothing, TechNode * Matthew Brennan, @MattyBGoooner, ChinaChannel

Podcast information * iTunes * RSS feed * Music: "Theme from Penguins on Parade" by Lee Rosevere, Music for Podcasts 3

China Tech Talk is a TechNode x ChinaChannel co-production.