Telegram is rolling out its latest update which in fact is a big update that adds more exciting features to the messenger platform. Some of the biggest change in the update includes Payments 2.0, ability to schedule voice chats, new web versions and many other improvements in the app.
The Payments 2.0 feature is an improvement on the existing Telegram payment system which allows users to purchase from businesses and pay them directly from within the app.
The upgraded payment system brings support for credit card payments, via 8 third-party payment providers such as Stripe, Yandex. Money, Sberbank, Tranzzo, Payme, CLICK, LiqPay, ECOMMPAY. The payment features also now let users tip businesses when making payments.
App developers are now adopting the Clubhouse-like voice chat feature. Telegram introduced this feature in December 2020 and more recently, we’ve seen Twitter launch a similar feature called space audio chat room. Soon, we may have other chat apps follow suit.
Telegram has now added a new feature for voice chat that will now allow users to schedule voice chats to deliver at a particular date and time. The feature comes along with helpful countdown animation that all members of a group or channel will see when a group voice chat is scheduled by admin and will be notified when the call is live.
Here’s how to schedule a voice chat in Telegram:
On iOS
- Open your Group or Channel’s page.
- Tap “Voice Chat.”
- Select “Schedule Voice Chat.”
- Use the dials to set the voice chat’s air time, then press “Schedule voice chat” to save your selection.
On Android
- Go to your or Channel or Group’s page.
- Tap the three-dot menu button.
- Select “Start Voice chat” then “Schedule Voice Chat.”
- Use the menu to select the date and time for the chat to begin.
- Tap “Schedule voice chat” to save.
While in a voice chat, participants can expand profile to change and edit bio without leaving the voice chat window. A feature Telegram calls mini profile for voice chat.
Telegram has improved the app’s built-in video player, users can now fast-forward or rewind quickly with either a double-tap or press and hold gesture. Users can now pinch to zoom in on pictures and videos without needing to tap on the media to open it.
Telegram also announced two new web versions (version K and version Z) that can provide users with quick access to their chats. These versions do not replace the existing Telegram web version as they have minimal features but are designed to be much simpler with a modern UI.
These new web versions are about 400 KB in size and support animated stickers, dark mode, chat folders, and more.
Another notable update is that user can now download the latest Telegram update directly from the Telegram website which is faster If you can’t wait while Google is still validating the update for the Android Play Store.