Telegram launches a slew of additional features to enhance its story-sharing capabilities
Instant messaging app Telegram with over 800 million monthly active users, announced its Story feature ability for the Channels. The platform has also introduced additional features such as View-once media, Reactions and music in stories to enhance user experience while sharing updates via Stories.
Stories for Channels
Telegram users can grant their favourite channels the ability to post stories by giving them boosts. Telegram Premium now includes one boost that can be assigned to any channel. Channels level up as they gain more boosts – and for each level, admins can post 1 additional story per day to their subscribers’ story feeds. Telegram users have the control to decide on which Channels they would like to see the updates via stories.
Boosts stay on the channel unless users decide to move them elsewhere, hence it would be better if the stories are engaging. Channels can ask subscribers for boosts using a special link such as t.me/durov?boost.
To get the boost link for the respective channel and see how many users need to level up, go to Channel Info > More > Statistics > Boosts. Getting to level 10 gives any channel +15 resistance to trolls and unlocks unique admin skins. Once the channel unlocks stories, admins with the relevant rights who have a Telegram Premium subscription can post by tapping the + on the Channel Info page. Admins will also see a ‘Post Story As’ option when posting stories from their chat list.
On this occasion, the CEO and founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov wrote on his blog Channel, “The day has come. Telegram channels can now post Stories! (https://telegram.org/blog/channel-stories) Stories on Telegram are more visible than in most apps, because they are displayed right on the main screen. Obviously, we couldn’t let channels flood users with Stories without reasonable limits: this would create too much noise in your Chats.
This is why we designed the Boost system. With Boosts, users can give their favourite channels the ability to post stories. More boosts mean more stories per day for a channel. Every 24 hours users can reassign their boost.
In the future, boosts will also unlock other features for channels, such as custom reactions, emoji statuses or custom backgrounds. We’ll also introduce more ways for channels to get Boosts.
To prevent abuse, only Premium users can boost channels. It shouldn’t be hard to collect Boosts for channels with real subscribers, while those with fake followers may struggle (larger channels need more Boosts to unlock stories)
Let the Boost Hunt begin!”
Reaction Stickers in Stories
Both users and channels can add reaction stickers to their stories – letting viewers respond with even more emojis in just one tap. Stories posted by channels display reaction counters, showing how many people chose each emotion.
To add a reaction sticker, the users need to tap the icon in the sticker panel, and then choose an emoji from the dozens of options in the window. Premium subscribers can use any of their emojis as well. Everyone can add 1 reaction sticker to each story, while Premium users are able to add up to 5.
Music in Stories
Audio files on the user’s device can be used in photo and video stories – allowing them to create content with custom soundtracks, narration and proper rickrolls. From the sticker panel, users need to tap ‘Audio’ and select a file, then adjust the track to select any section. In video stories, users can keep the original sound as well as move your added audio track to any point.
View-once Media
Speaking of noodles, Telegram added self-destructing media way back in 2013. Now it is even easier to use, has a new look, and has a new View Once setting.
In any 1-on-1 chat, tapping in the media editor lets users choose how long their photo or video will be visible after opening – from View Once to 30 seconds. View-Once media is permanently deleted from the chat when the recipient opens it. Like for all self-destructing media, saving and taking screenshots will not work for view-once media.
New Login Alerts
Whenever someone logs in to any user account, Telegram sends a notification to all their devices. To make this even more noticeable, new logins now display this alert at the top of their chat list.
In case, a particular user doesn’t login on a new device, they need to tap ‘No, it’s not me!’ to instantly secure their account. Users can review all devices that currently have access to your messages in Settings > Devices. For an extra layer of protection, users can add a Two-Step Verification password in Settings > Privacy and Security > Two-Step Verification. Telegram recommends to Never enter login codes or password anywhere except when users are logging in to Telegram to access their chats!
The developers at Telegram also added dozens of bug fixes and optimizations. iOS users will notice that sending videos has improved – it is now faster and the progress bar is more accurate. Android users will notice increased performance when viewing spoiler animations, including view-once and hidden media. Blackberry and Windows Phone users will notice they have been extinct for the past decade.
For more information, please visit Telegram’s latest blog: Stories in Channels, View-Once Media and More (telegram.org)
