Telegram has announced its January update, ushering in a suite of new features that enhance user experience with improved privacy and more control over messaging nuances.
Following the unveiling of "view-once" photos and videos for individual chats back in September 2023, Telegram is now expanding this discretion to include voice and video messages. Users are able to begin recording by pressing the microphone icon and subsequently swiping up to select the "view-once" option, thereby enabling the message to be played or viewed a single time by the receiver.
Moreover, Telegram has implemented an option to pause and continue recording both voice and video messages, which can be accessed within the same interface.
For those keen on monitoring when their messages are read in one-on-one private chats, Telegram has introduced a feature that makes this information available. Should users prefer more privacy, this read-notification function can be deactivated in the settings.
Exclusive features for premium subscribers have also been introduced. Premium members now have the privilege of concealing when they've read messages, all the while retaining the ability to see this read-time info from others who choose to display it publicly.
An added layer of filtering for incoming messages has also been made a premium perk. Subscribers now have the flexibility to define who is allowed to message them first, with options to include "Everyone" or to narrow it down to "My Contacts and Premium User."
In its previous month's rollout, Telegram focused on amplifying discoverability and customization for channels. In the weeks that followed, the messaging service also bolstered its calls, enhancing them with end-to-end encryption and optimizing battery usage. A revamp of Telegram's bot platform was part of the updates, too, empowering bots with the capacity to interact with messages, control reactions, and initiate replies to different chats or threads.