Telegram, the popular instant messaging platform, continues to evolve by introducing a series of updates aimed at enhancing user experience and functionality. The latest update brings significant improvements to video playback controls, and message editing features, and introduces innovative chat-specific hashtags. These enhancements are designed to provide users with a more seamless and organized communication experience while offering developers new opportunities for engagement and monetization.

Key Points

Enhanced Video Playback Controls: Users can now adjust video playback speed and enjoy optimized video quality based on their network connection.

Improved Message Editing: Edited messages now display the last edit timestamp, and users can add media during the editing process.

Chat-Specific Hashtags: Introduction of hashtags tailored to individual chats or channels, simplifying message searches.

Advanced Bot Functionality: Increased messaging limits for bots and new monetization options through Telegram Stars.

Picture-in-Picture Mode for iOS: iOS users can utilize PiP mode for a more flexible video viewing experience.

Enhanced Video Playback Controls

Telegram has revamped its video playback functionality to offer users greater control and a more personalized viewing experience. The latest update introduces the ability to adjust video playback speed seamlessly. By holding down on the right side of a video and sliding to the right, users can increase the playback speed up to 2.5x. This feature allows for quicker consumption of video content without sacrificing the ability to rewind or fast forward as needed.

For Android users, additional convenience is provided through the ability to tap on the left and right sides of the screen to rewind or fast forward by 10 seconds, respectively. These intuitive controls make navigating through videos more efficient, catering to users who prefer customized playback settings.

Furthermore, channel owners benefit from improved video quality management. Telegram now automatically selects the appropriate video quality based on the user’s network connection, ensuring smoother playback and faster loading times. High-resolution videos uploaded by channel owners are automatically compressed and optimized into three quality tiers—low, medium, and high—enhancing accessibility and reducing buffering issues.

Improved Message Editing Features

Telegram’s update introduces significant enhancements to its message editing capabilities. Users can now add media to a text message while editing it, providing greater flexibility in how they communicate. This means that after sending a message, users can easily attach images or other media without having to resend the entire message, streamlining the communication process.

Additionally, Telegram has implemented a feature that displays the last time a message was edited within a chat. This transparency allows recipients to see when a message was modified, adding a layer of accountability and clarity to conversations. In small groups, Telegram has also upgraded read receipts, enabling users to see which members have read each message, similar to functionalities offered by competitors like WhatsApp.

Introduction of Chat-Specific Hashtags

To enhance the organization and searchability of messages within groups and channels, Telegram has introduced chat-specific hashtags. This new feature follows the format #hashtag@username, allowing users to tag messages within a particular group or channel efficiently. For example, using #travel@adventures will display all messages tagged with “travel” within the “Adventures” channel. This targeted approach to hashtags makes it easier for users to find specific posts, improving the overall navigability and utility of group and channel communications.

Advanced Bot Functionality and Monetization

Telegram remains a favored platform for developers due to its robust support for programmable bots. The latest update significantly enhances bot functionality by increasing the messaging limits. Previously, bots could send up to 30 messages per second to users. With the introduction of Telegram Stars, bots can now expand this limit to 1,000 messages per second by purchasing additional capacity at a rate of 0.1 Stars per message. This enhancement allows for more dynamic and interactive bot experiences, fostering greater engagement and utility.

Moreover, Telegram is expanding monetization options for developers, providing new avenues to generate revenue through bots and other integrated services. These options are expected to encourage more developers to create innovative solutions on the Telegram platform, further enriching the ecosystem with diverse functionalities.

Picture-in-Picture Mode for iOS Users

Responding to user demand for more versatile video playback options, Telegram has introduced Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode for iOS users. By swiping up on a video, users can activate PiP mode, allowing them to continue watching videos while navigating other parts of the app or multitasking with different applications. This feature enhances the user experience by providing greater flexibility and convenience, particularly for those who use Telegram extensively for media consumption.

Availability

The latest Telegram update is being rolled out globally and is available for all users in the coming weeks. To access the new features, users should ensure they have updated to the latest version of the Telegram app via their respective app stores. The update is compatible with both Android and iOS devices, ensuring that a wide range of users can benefit from the enhancements.

Conclusion

Telegram’s latest update underscores its commitment to improving user experience through thoughtful and impactful feature enhancements. By introducing improved video speed controls, displaying last edit timestamps, and launching chat-specific hashtags, Telegram provides users with more tools to manage and organize their communications effectively. Additionally, advancements in bot functionality and the introduction of Picture-in-Picture mode for iOS users highlight Telegram’s dedication to fostering a versatile and engaging platform. As these updates roll out globally, users and developers alike can look forward to a more streamlined and enriched Telegram experience.