Telegram's New Year updates: Channel appearance, custom prizes, posts in stories and more
Telegram's update brings many new features (Photo: Getty Images)
A new update for the Telegram messenger has been released, bringing interesting changes. Now, channel administrators can set wallpapers, emoji statuses, and profile logos, while users can repost channel posts to their stories, according to the Telegram website.
Channel appearance settings
With the new update of the Telegram messenger, channel administrators are given the ability to change the appearance of their channels, attracting the attention of subscribers through voting or conducting giveaways. Now, administrators can edit the color of the channel name and message background, as well as the colors and logo of the channel cover in the profile.
In addition, administrators can set emoji statuses and wallpapers that are visible to all channel visitors. To make changes to the channel's appearance, you need to go to the settings and select the "Appearance" section. The variety of available settings depends on the channel's level, which also expands the possibilities of posting stories and adding emojis as reactions.
Customizing channel appearance (gif: Telegram)
Sharing posts in stories
Now users have the ability to share messages from channels to their stories. When reposting to the story, a copy of the message will be added, which can be moved, scaled, and complemented with various design elements.
While viewing such a story, users can easily navigate to the original message in the channel with a single tap. Users have the option to share various types of messages in their stories, including photos, files, voice messages, and video messages.
Sharing posts in stories (gif: Telegram)
Massive premium gifts
Another addition is the ability to gift premium Telegram subscriptions to multiple users at once. In the messenger settings menu, a section called "Gift Premium" has been introduced, allowing users to select up to 10 individuals and gift them premium subscriptions with a simple touch.
Premium gifts (gif: Telegram)
Custom prizes and winner lists in giveaways
New options are now available during various giveaways. When setting up a giveaway in a channel, you can choose a longer duration and enhance the prize by adding personal rewards, such as promo codes or other items.
In addition to this, a "Show Winners" option has been added, allowing all participants to verify the fairness of the results.
Additional prizes and winner list in giveaways (gif: Telegram)
Viewing reposts and more
Telegram users were previously able to see a list of views and reactions to stories, while channel administrators had access to detailed statistics. Now, the latter will also have access to reactions on stories, and users as well as channels will be able to see people who have reposted that particular story.
Viewing shared content (gif: Telegram)
Photo cutouts for stories
In Telegram, the option to add photos from the device's gallery on top of stories was introduced earlier. Currently, the story editor allows for a quick removal of the background from a photo, leaving only the main objects of the image.
To do this, open the sticker panel in the story editor, select the "Photo" icon, and then choose the desired image. To remove the background, tap on the added photo, select the ">" icon, and then press "Cut Out."
Photo story highlights (gif: Telegram)
Previously, we reported that members of the French government were banned from using Telegram and WhatsApp.
