Telegram has released a bunch of handy features that its rival WhatsApp is still lacking. Before now, Telegram has introduced us to cool features ranging from multi-device support that includes multiple phones, channels for large communities, and support for multiple numbers within the same app. This week the messaging service is serving even more features that make users even happier.
The company discloses these additions via a blog post. Telegram says it’s now offering a Private Content option for groups and channels. This feature as said would allow group/channel owners to flex restrictions on forwarding, screenshots, and media saving within their groups in a bid to keep the group or channel content private. This update is intended to help creators protect the content they publish within Telegram by ensuring that it is only available for their intended audience or members-only.
Another privacy feature the instant messaging platform is offering users is the new ability to delete messages by date. This feature applies to individual chats. Users can clear their chat history for a given day or date range. Isn’t that just fantastic? This is like handing users full control over their digital imprints. The company via the blog post says to open the calendar, tap the date bar that pops up as you scroll through the chat – then choose which days to clear. Also, the company discloses that clearing history by date only works in the one-on-one chats, but other messages in any chat can be set to auto-delete one day, week, or month after sending. These super cool features relatively save time and automatically eliminate the idea of having to enter into every chat privately to delete chats one by one, except you choose to do that.
Telegram also has something for the multi-device category, the device menu now has a button that allows you quickly link a desktop or laptop to your account via QR code. So users can now use Telegram across all devices at the same time. The company didn’t stop there, also added is a setting that automatically logs you out of inactive devices after a specific time or period ranging from 1-week to 6-months). Tap any device in the list to view more information and toggle whether it can accept calls or new Secret Chats.
The instant messaging platform has also added the ability to anonymously post in public groups. Because these groups or channels comprise a lot of people discussing various topics like politics, religion, etc., this feature allows the messages you send to appear with the name and photo of the channel instead of your personal account. Tap the profile picture next to the message bar and choose your preferred channels, you’ll also see the channel name at the top of your message bubbles.
Also introduced is a new way to login into the platform via a call, Starting immediately, some mobile devices will be offered the option to receive a login call from Telegram and then enter several digits of the phone number that called instead of codes via text message.
Another addition to the upgrades includes is the text recognition ability but only available on iOS 13+. Text Recognition in other words Live Text has been enabled for photos in Telegram chats. This feature allows you to quickly select, copy and search without having to touch your keyboard. Cool right? This image recognition is securely handled entirely on your device. The list of supported languages is managed by Apple, so check out the list, stay tuned for future OS updates.
And the list of the latest updates from Telegram goes on and on. The updates are fantastic but not as compared to those from the previous updates this year presented, updates like live streams, screen sharing, unlimited voice chats, auto-deleting messages, and video player improvements, etc. So here’s hoping the instant messaging rival team is taking notes of these grand improvements and are making plans to grab some features so as to move from boring to cool in the New Year.
Olagoke Ajibola is a creative writer and content producer with an eye for details and excellence. He has a demonstrated history of telling stories for TV, Film and Online. Aside from being fascinated by the power of imagination, his other interest are travel, sport, reading and meeting people.
