The rivalry between WhatsApp and Telegram is increasing by the day and it all spells good news for the users as they get more and more innovative features to play with as both these apps fight for supremacy.

While WhatsApp has been steadily adding feature by feature, Telegram is not allowing matters to drift on its part. It took up the cudgels and released a massive update on its platform last month.

The update brought a bunch of new features such as group video calls, screen sharing and security features to its platform. Today, the WhatsApp rival landed another blow after it released an update that not only brings improvements to those features but it also brings new updates to Telegram’s platform.

The list includes features such as video playback speed, a new camera app, new animated emojis, password recovery and reminders and precision drawing to the app.

Group video calls

Telegram had introduced the group video calls feature on its platform last month. Now the company announced that 1,000 people can watch on Telegram with up to 30 people broadcasting the message. The company said that it will keep increasing this limit.

Video messages

Telegram had introduced video messages on its platform last month. Now, the company said that it is improving the quality of video in video messages. Users can tap the video message to expand it and watch the video with a greater resolution. Users will also be able to fast forward and rewind the video.

How to use: To record a video message, all you need to know is to tap the microphone icon in the message bar to switch from voice message recording to video. Press and hold to record, then tap the camera icon to switch back.

Video playback speed

Telegram has also introduced a new feature that enables users to change the playback speed of the video messages. Users can now play media at 0.5x, 1.5x and 2x playback speeds. On Android, this feature also supports 0.2x speed.

Screen sharing with sound

Telegram has also added a screen-sharing feature to one-on-one calls. It also includes the sound from your device when broadcasting in any video call. “When switching on video during any call, you can swipe to choose a camera or share your screen instead - and use the video preview to make sure that everything is perfect before going live,” Telegram wrote in a blog post.

How to use: To share your screen during a video call, tap the camera button and select your screen as the video source.

Auto-delete after one month

Telegram has supported the auto-delete feature to its users for a long time. Up until now, this option offered one day and one week as auto-delete options for users to pick from. Now, the company has added a one-month option to this list.

How to use: To enable the timer on Android, tap the three dots > Clear History then choose a duration. On iOS,press and hold a message, tap Select > Clear Chat option > Enable Auto-Delete.

Precision drawing

Telegram has also introduced precision drawing options on its platform. There is a media editor that allows users to illustrate and decorate their photos and videos with drawings, text and stickers. Users can also decrease the width of their brush as they zoom in for finer details.

The company also said that the Telegram Desktop app now has its own photo editor to crop, rotate or flip images - and add drawings or stickers. “Unique to desktop, your edited versions can be sent as uncompressed files by unchecking the Compress Images box,” the company added.

Passcode animations

Another feature coming to Telegram is called passcode animations. The company said that if a user is using an animated background, it will also appear on the passcode lock screen.

Password recovery and reminders

Telegram has added a new prompt in Settings that will help users practice two-step verification passwords. If a user forgets their password, there is a new password reset option that works even without a recovery email. Telegram says that the process will take seven days and can be cancelled from any device.

Message sending animation

This feature is available on the Android ecosystem. This feature enables users to share lightweight animations in text messages.

New in-app camera

This feature is available in Telegram’s iOS app only. Telegram says that the in-app camera now utilises all zoom levels on a user’s iPhone including 0.5x and 2x if available. “You can also press and hold to open a zoom wheel that lets you zoom in and out with granular control,” the company added.

New Telegram animated emojis

Telegram is also bringing new emojis to its platform. The list includes a Christmas tree, heartburn, an owl, a dancing man and a dancing woman among others.

Others

In addition to the above-mentioned features, Telegram has introduced new features that are available only in its iOS-app. Users can choose multiple recipients for forwarded messages by tapping on the Select option in the forwarding menu.

The company also said that scrolling with two fingers in the chat list quickly selects several chats for bulk actions like archive, delete or mark all as read.

Additionally, profile pictures now follow the messages as users scroll in group chats so that they always know who sent each one.

 - TNS