Telegram, the cloud-based instant messenger app, has rolled out a major update comprising of multiple new features and improvements for overall user experience. These include, Voice Chat for Telegram Groups, SD Card storage and new UI animation for Android version of the app, new media editor capabilities along with fast loading & better looking animated stickers. It will also launch a new feature suggestion platform to help identify potential new features and locate bugs, through user inputs and feedback.
As Telegram approaches 500 million active users (globally), its founder, Pavel Durov has unveiled the strategy to drive sustained growth of the app and generate revenue from next year onwards. New features for business teams or power users will be added to the app. Some of these features will require more resources and will be paid for by these premium users. Regular users will be able to keep enjoying Telegram – for free, forever. Telegram will introduce its own Ad Platform for public one-to-many channels that is user-friendly and respects privacy. However, private 1-to-1 chats or group chats will remain ad-free.
VOICE CHAT: Any Telegram group can be converted to a voice chat room with this new feature. Hence, it can be used as virtual office spaces for teams or casual lounges for various communities. With the Voice Chat Overlay feature, users can freely move around the app, browse conversations and send messages, while remaining connected on any voice chat.
Android users also get the full Voice Chat experience with a system-wide floating widget that shows your mic controls and who is currently talking, even when Telegram is in the background. Users of Telegram Desktop and the native macOS app, can choose a push-to-talk key for Voice Chats, to control their mic even when Telegram is not focused.
SD CARD STORAGE: Android users can now move their app data from internal storage to external SD card. This will enable the users with less storage on their phones to save more media and files and maximize the usage experience of the app.
NEW ANIMATIONS, FAST-LOADING STICKERS, MORE ANIMATED EMOJI: Telegram’s Android version has been updated with new animations for message button, chat folders, etc. Animated stickers on Telegram are optimized for efficiency and deliver smooth 180 frame animations with infinite resolution in less than 50 KB. With the new update, these stickers will load even faster than before. Telegram has also expanded the library of animated emoji on the app.
MEDIA EDITING IMPROVEMENTS: Android users can edit a photo which they've already sent to add effects, drawings or stickers with the media editor. iOS users can tap the pen button to quickly edit and send back a photo they have received.
ANNOUNCE MESSAGES ON iOS: Users can enable Siri to read incoming messages aloud in their headphones.
FEATURE SUGGESTION PLATFORM: To help identify potential new features and locate bugs within the app, Telegram is launching a public Bug and Suggestion Platform. It will be rolling out the ability to suggest new features and report bugs gradually to ensure that each submission gets the due attention.