Telegram is a much-loved chat app for many users. The new August update adds new features. These should provide more overview and make the app more personal. These include improvements for stories, the search function and more.
Telegram: August update
When Telegram rolls out an update, it is usually an update full of new features and functions. Such is the case today, then. Telegram's new August update brings several handy improvements to the messaging service. All together, it should make things more personal and convenient, the app's creators promise.
Search function
One of the most notable additions is the search function for public messages. The new Messages tab lets you view results from public channels, so you can find specific information faster. This feature is only available to Telegram Premium users for now.
Stories
Stories also get more structure. You can now bundle multiple stories into albums. This way, you can create collections of your holiday photos, pet moments or favourite memes. Companies and creators can use albums to showcase products or group content, for instance in the form of playlists. Adding an album is easy via the Stories tab.
For gifts, Telegram is introducing the ability to organise them into collections. You can group your gifts by theme or rarity, and thanks to filters, it stays clear. The same gift can appear in several collections at once, giving you a lot of freedom when putting them together. This is also a Premium feature.
Level and gift
With this update, profiles also get a level badge, based on the number of transactions with Telegram stars. Giving gifts, sending paid messages or supporting suggested messages will raise your level. Conversely, this can drop if you get purchases refunded or gifts converted. This gives channel owners a better impression of your trustworthiness.
Since gifts often sell out quickly, Telegram is working on premium gifts available only to Premium users. This will include a limit per person, so that more people have a chance to get something right at launch.
Finally, there is good news for developers. The new @BotFather mini-app lets you manage bots more easily. Adjusting settings, icons and descriptions is now done from a single view. There is also support for features such as full-screen view, shortcuts, geolocation and motion detection.
The update is being rolled out via the Google Play Store. If you don't want to miss anything, follow the DroidApp channel on Telegram.
