The apps world is one of the most competitive, so developers are constantly working to improve their tools. Telegram is one of the most recently updated to improve the experience of more than 500 million users.
Facebook’s WhatsApp is still the most used messaging app in the world: its users exceed 2 billion. However, Telegram is growing at a good pace thanks to new privacy policies of its great rival that are not much to the liking of its users. But that’s not the only reason.
In fact, Telegram is one of the best instant messaging appps of the moment, with functionalities that, at times, surpass those of WhatsApp. This app has, for example, its own storage space, which means that data is not stored in third-party clouds as is the case of WhatsApp with Google Drive (Android) and iCloud (iOS).
What’s new in Telegram
Group video calls
One of Telegram’s main new features is group video calls, a feature it had promised some time ago. It is basically an extension of voice chats, as users can now turn on the camera during voice chats in groups. And they can do it on all devices: smartphones, tablets and computers.
This update allows voice chats to be more functional, as they can be used for family meetings, business meetings, online classes, etc. Up to 30 people can participate in the videoconferences, although the company has indicated that this limit will be increased in the near future.
Another interesting feature within group video calls is the ability to share the screen with the other participants. To do this, all you have to do is click on the three dots menu in any app and check the “Share screen” option. This is especially useful in business meetings and online classes.
Animated backgrounds
In addition to video calls, another new feature is the introduction of animated backgrounds. These backgrounds stand out because they make conversations more dynamic. They have multicolor gradient effects that are generated by an algorithm that allows them to move when a message is sent.
These animations do not use a lot of energy, Telegram says. In addition, if the available options are not enough for you, you can create your own animated backgrounds: you can do so by choosing between 3 or 4 colors and adding a pattern of shapes to the background. Best of all, if you create them, you can also share them with others.
New animations in stickers and emojis
With the same objective of adding dynamism to conversations, now stickers and emojis jump from your keyboard to the chat thanks to animations. In Apple’s operating system, iOS, semi-transparency has also been added to some interface elements. In addition, users can change the app icon.
Menu with login information reminders
Telegram emphasizes the importance of keeping your phone number up to date to guarantee that you can always log in to your account without any problems. So if you’ve changed your phone number, you’ll be able to update it quickly thanks to a new reminder in Telegram’s iOS settings. Android users will also have this feature, but it will be from the next update of the application.
Bots menu
With the most recent feature update, the application has made it easier to communicate with bots. To do this, it has added a menu button where you can browse and send commands, so you can use them faster. In addition, developers can now create commands that change according to the type of chat and the language of the user interface.
Noise suppression
Telegram also improved noise suppression in voice chats with the goal of keeping everyone’s audio crisp and clear, even when there is noise around. They have also included a switch to disable noise suppression for cases where ambient sound is important and should not be suppressed.
With these new features Telegram seeks to offer a better experience to its users and attract others to join the service. And you, do you already use Telegram? If you are thinking of trying it, this could be the best time to do so.