Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp, Skype - we all use at least one of the listed messengers. But “ICQ” was forgotten by many and was deleted from the list of communication programs long ago - this is a “cute retro”, which millennials remember with funny emoticons and the “ Oh-oh ” notification. Forgot? Did not know? Are you hearing for the first time?

Let's remember or get acquainted, because many years later the program "rebooted" and entered the application market under the name ICQ New . We will find out if it is really New, what has changed, what is interesting, whether it is worth downloading and whether the promised “evolution” has taken place. You can download icq for ios at the https://install.download/ios/icq

Features of ICQ New

Let's start with why they forgot "Asya", because the same "grandfather" Skype is still afloat, despite its solid "age". The program was really a success - it was in almost every mobile phone and on a PC, pleased and worked even on Siemens A65.

Then they started relaunching it, then resold it and filled it with advertising so much that New York Broadway nervously smokes on the sidelines. The program began to “weigh” and freeze a lot, so it was quickly written off.

And here you are: "Oh-oh" and ICQ New from Mail.ru!

The same familiar flower in hot green and a promising promo on a trendy black background.

Before exploring all versions: desktop, web and smartphone, let's find out what developers generally offer:

• Audio and video calls to save money on your phone. Both for tete-a-tete meetings and group discussions.
• Deciphering voice messages - converting them into text (it's infuriating, especially when you have to listen to a sentimental story about escaped milk in public).
• Hint stickers , based on the text of the message. By the way, this is not new and no one will be surprised by this “innovation”.
• The Smart Reply system offers answers by analyzing the incoming message. But the level of artificial intelligence is not higher than “OK”, “Thank you” and “Bye”, and the neural network also offers stickers.
• Channels, chats and bots - the same Telegram only in profile.
• Freedom in choosing a nickname. While there are few users (despite 10,000,000+ downloads), you can have time to stake out beautiful nicknames.
• Video calls with masks - we hide circles under the eyes, amuse interlocutors, decorate negotiations with horns or ears.
• Ability to send photos and videos without compression . To be fair, this is also not new, but already good.
• Synchronization - no need to make backups.
• If in the old version of ICQ there was a so-called “invis”, which allowed you to hide the status “online” from contacts, then in the new application the privacy settings are worked out differently. So, you can prohibit incoming voice calls and video calls, adding to groups. You can hide your phone number even from those with whom you are in the same chat. Well, you can set a PIN code to start to protect messages from unwanted eyes. And the "Invis" itself, alas, is no more - the status will have to be shown.

Against the backdrop of the old ICQ, this is a breakthrough and a huge progress. The developers have really implemented all the modern functionality inherent in the 2020 messenger. Let nothing special, but such a list is entirely enough for comfortable communication.

Of course, it’s unlikely that it will be convenient to conduct serious business negotiations like in Zoom, but it’s possible to chat with friends, subscribe to interesting channels, have fun with bots, upload files and save money on your mobile phone.

Where to download ICQ New

The new ICQ New is available for devices on any OS: MAC, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android. By the way, there is also a web version.

How to install and use ICQ New: settings features

The web version of the application is a little "dinosaur", like the desktop application, but this is not for everybody. Nothing special, but the eye also does not gouge out anything.

The application itself (which is for a PC or smartphone) "weighs" less than 60 MB. Of course, use ICQ only from trusted (official) sources (download links above).

When downloading or registering online, according to all the rules, you will be asked for a phone number. Then the code will come, enter and go.

If you plan to synchronize ICQ between all devices, you need to register once, but you will have to enter the phone number and drive in the confirmation code everywhere. But it's fast - the codes arrive without delay.

In the program we find a lot of settings, where the checkboxes are already well set by default:

Personalization will especially please: you can choose any of the 4 themes and chat backgrounds (from the suggested ones or upload your own):

A separate “like” for stickers, and the most interesting thing is that you can create your own stickers or transfer any sticker packs from Cart. To do this, we find the “Create your own stickers” button in the design and get into the chat bot.

To import Telegram stickers, we only need a link - we send it to the bot, we instantly get our favorite pictures in our sets:

We throw off our pictures in the same bot, we get our stickers. They can be configured for any emoji so that the neural network offers them later in one click.

Favorite koloboks are presented as GIFs. Nostalgia in its purest form.

All versions (mobile, desktop and online) are designed approximately the same, the possibilities are the same. And in the smartphone application, they even offer to enter without a confirmation code, by issuing the necessary permissions:

Review of ICQ New

Why go far if there are user reviews. So, on the Play Market you can find different opinions, but the main message is that the program is “raw” and there is no one to communicate with.

If the “dampness” is quite subjective, and the developers are working on fixing problems and keep feedback. That second one is a disaster.

After reviewing the list of contacts that are in ICQ, you see “was a long time ago”, and 90% need to be invited to the messenger.

If you want to do this, then you can try to drag humanity from progressive and popular programs here. But you are unlikely to succeed. So the question of advertising, creating competitive advantages, interesting features and a cool interface lies with the developers.

Can I use my old ICQ number?

Yes! You can ( if you remember, of course ) enter your old 8-digit number during registration, but judging by the reviews on social networks, not everyone succeeds.

Conclusion

ICQ though New is a messenger from the past. True, finished and nicely designed, light and uncomplicated. Even a child can download and install. Most of the features duplicate popular messaging programs, especially Telegram. Everything would be fine, only you, most likely, will not have anyone to communicate with.

But all the same, there is romance in this - what if, by going to the old number, it will be possible to revive long-lost communication, if one of the contacts also dares to remember ICQ. So you can try to use it as such a “Wait for me” or a password-protected program for correspondence with certain persons.