On Tuesday, Telegram introduced numerous new features to its social media-focused instant messaging platform. The company has announced three new services for users that are aimed at creators. The first is Live Stories, which allows users to host live streaming sessions in Stories while repeating planned messages, and an auction-based mechanism for the company’s valuable Gifts. Interestingly, the Live Stories feature has been available on Instagram for some years, but it looks that the Dubai-based firm is also leaning towards it in order to provide more creative avenues for its platform’s creators.
The company revealed in a news statement that the new features will be available to all users. After updating the app to the most recent version, users on Android and iOS should be able to see them. Live Stories is the first feature. All individuals, as well as groups and channels that have acquired the ability to submit Stories using boosts, can now host live video streams directly from their Story feed.
The Live Stories feature also includes real-time interaction, which allows viewers to remark on the video’s content. The UI is quite similar to that found on Instagram. Spending stars allows viewers to pin and emphasise their comments in coloured bubbles. They can also offer the creator stars if they choose. The stream host sees a Star counter in the lower right corner, which shows how many stars they’ve collected via viewer donations or highlighted comments.
Live Stories provide the same privacy restrictions as standard Stories, such as Everyone, My Contacts, Close Friends, and Selected Users. Creators or channels that utilise external tools like as OBS or XSplit can connect using RTMP keys to stream using their standard configuration.
Telegram is also introducing a new feature for scheduled communications called Repeated communications. Users can use this to schedule messages and reminders to appear at predetermined intervals. Users have set options, such as daily, weekly, bimonthly, and monthly. Users can set one up by pressing and holding the Send button in a chat, then selecting Schedule Message, Repeat, and the interval.
Finally, Telegram Gifts, which are digital treasures that users may show on their profile or transfer to blockchain wallets, are getting a special update. Previously, the business stated that many people might miss out on limited-edition gifts. To ensure fair distribution, the company will now use an auction-based system for rarer collectibles.
Users can use stars to put bids, and the first round’s top bidders will win the rarest numbered gifts. The lower-ranked bidders will then go to the succeeding rounds until all items are gone. Any unused bigs are reimbursed. Users can engage in several auctions by increasing their bids, and each auction is identified by a “Auction” banner. Bids will be available on the same interface, indicating how many stars are required to win a collection in that round.
Telegram’s latest release includes three creator-focused features:
– Live Stories: Instagram-style livestreaming with real-time comments and star-based support.
– Repeated messages for regular reminders and automatic communication.
– Auction-Based Gifts to ensure fair distribution of rare Telegram items.
Telegram’s recent advancements show its goal to position itself as an innovative, creator-centric social platform that goes far beyond plain texting.
The update also improves the UI, with new “Liquid Glass” features for navigation bars and keyboards on iOS, as well as better blur effects and an updated input bar for Android users.
Upgrade to the most recent version of Telegram for Android or iOS to take use of these amazing features.