Mail.Ru Group has released the ICQ New messenger. This is a new solution that will replace the original ICQ. The development is distinguished by a number of functions: automatic decoding of voice messages, prompts for an answer in the form of text or a sticker, the presence of a system of bots that anyone can create using the Bot API.
Public channels and chats are available for up to 25,000 participants with polling and search functions, audio and video calls (including group calls for up to 30 users), as well as synchronization between platforms. The user can set a nickname so as not to publish a phone number, edit already sent messages and send files without compression.
Experts interviewed by HBR.org believe that Mail.Ru Group has chosen the right time to restart ICQ: due to the massive transition to remote work, users need services with the function of group chats and video calls. ICQ New applications are available for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Linux. There is also a web version.