Telegram is a free and open source, cross-platform, cloud-based instant messaging (IM) software. The service also provides end-to-end encrypted video calling, VoIP, file sharing and several other features. It was launched for iOS on 14 August 2013 and Android in October 2013. After WhatsApp, Telegram is one of the most used apps across the world. Recently, Telegram updated their version to 8.0 bringing in a new set of features. Let’s have a look at those.
Unlimited Live Streams
Telegram’s previous update made Group Video Calls a powerful tool for live broadcasts. Users can now start a Live Stream in a channel or a Video Chat in a group with both of them supporting unlimited viewers. “The power to run your own TV station is here, right in your pocket.” says Telegram.
To begin, tap ‘Video Chat’ (in Groups) or ‘Live Stream’ (in Channels) on the profile page of a community where you are an admin.
The viewers of your Live Stream can also raise their hand and join your broadcast if you allow them to speak.
Flexible Forwarding
Telegram has made forwarding a much more relaxing experience for its users. Tap the ‘Forward Message’ label above the message bar to open a preview window, showing how the messages will look when they are sent along with several customization options.
Users can choose to hide the sender’s name or hide captions on media messages. They can also deselect messages if they don’t want to send or change the recipient in case of a wrong chat getting tapped.
Jump to Next Channel
Telegram has millions of channels that users follow for news, events, and content. To keep up easily with the news, users can now scroll through the channels they follow without going back to their chat list. To do so, reach the bottom of a channel, pull up and go to the next unread channel.
Telegram says: “If you have organized your chat list with Folders or Archived Chats, the app will follow the structure you have set up: channels in the current folder, then within each folder, then those left in All Chats and the Archive. Simply open a channel from your Studies folder to read them all without getting distracted by Memes — and vice versa.”
Trending Stickers
Trending Stickers are now shown above ‘Recently Used’ in the sticker panel. Tap ‘Add’ to save a pack for the future. The trending sticker section is one of the few things in this world that gets updated more often than the Telegram apps. When you scroll through the packs at the top of the panel, the thumbnails expand and show the names of the sticker packs
Choosing a Sticker
(Source: Telegram) Similar to ‘typing…’ or ‘recording a voice message’, the apps now show a ‘choosing a sticker’ status at the top of the chat.
Unread Comment Counters
(Source: Telegram) Many channels have comments enabled for their posts so that subscribers can interact and share their thoughts.
New Animated Emoji
(Source: Telegram Blog) This month we asked ourselves: “Should we stop animating more and more emoji with each update?” After a heated discussion we arrived at this answer: “Probably not.” Send a message with a single emoji to get one of these new masterpieces in a chat.
These were the updates, while we wait for more cool stuff from Telegram. Let’s enjoy these.
