Indonesian Users Can Now Post Stories Without Premium

Our readers report users with Indonesian phone numbers now can post stories without Telegram Premium.

We keep looking into expansion of this feature into other countries, final availability details are still pending.

We maintain a list of countries in our article.

Subscribe to @tginfo in Indonesian.

#Indonesia #stories

Telegram Is Preparing to Bring Stories to Channels

According to crawled data from @tgcrawl, changes were made in Telegram for Android that indicate that stories are coming for channels.

From the changes we can guess that there will be a boosting system similar to Discord’s. For example, the number of the stories that can be posted might depend on the number of boosts received by the channel form its subscribers.

Apparently, only Telegram Premium users will be able to boost channels.

#stories

Updates to Web Bots, Stories for Channels and Channel Boosts

Telegram's Beta version for Android update hints at several upcoming features, as analyzed by the @tginfo team.

Channel stories and boosts
It seems that Telegram is working on a "boost" system for channels, reminiscent of Discord's. Boosts will allow channel subscribers to vote for their favorite channels. These boosts might unlock special features for administrators, such as the ability to post stories to the channel. The exact features and rewards based on this system are still unknown. There could be different levels with varying limits and functionalities, and the number of stories available for posting might depend on the number of boosts received.

It seems like only Telegram Premium subscribers will be able to boost, and as of now, it looks like Premium users will have only one boost in their subscription available at no extra cost. Telegram aims to introduce this feature to channel administrators in hopes that they will encourage their subscribers to give their boost to their channel. To facilitate quick access to the boost sending menu, a deep link will be provided. Users will be able to change which channel receives their boost only once a day.

Story enhancements
Users will be able to add background audio to stories.
An option to pin a story to a post will be introduced.

Improved login confirmation system
Instead of receiving login notifications via personal messages from the Telegram account, they will now appear above the chat list.

Statistics
Channel statistics will now include data about subscribers with a Telegram Premium subscription.

View photos or videos only once
A new self-destruct option will be added, which prevents media files from being viewed more than once.

Web bot platform update
App strings indicate that in the next update, Telegram will allow users to add shortcuts to launch Web bots from the Android app's side menu.

This feature might be available exclusively to select partner bots. It's highly probable that this shortcut feature was specifically designed for @Wallet, but it might be utilized for other partner bots in the future.

The Web bot platform itself has been renamed to Mini Apps, and using them will require users to accept separate terms of service.

Previously, an ability for Web-bots to store their data on Telegram servers was spotted in the app, with the data being synchronized across the user's devices. @tginfo speculates that this feature could've been developed for the recently announced non-custodial TON wallet. Testing suggests that the data storage feature in Telegram might also be exclusive to select partner bots.

It's important to note that all this information is based on speculations from the Beta version of the app, so the features might undergo some changes by the time of release.

#stories #boosts

Crypto wallet integration in Telegram

In the new version of Telegram, users who have previously used the @wallet bot now have a section with a crypto wallet in the application menu. Telegram promises to provide other users with quick access to the wallet in November of this year.

TON Foundation together with Telegram announced their partnership within the framework of the TOKEN2049 conference - presentation and photos from the conference.

Now @wallet will have direct access to all 800 million users of the messenger (excluding US citizens) by integrating the service into the menu.

In addition, Telegram will provide priority access to its advertising platform to TON projects and partners.

In 5 years, TON plans to reach 30% of all active Telegram users.

Download: Google Play, App Store.

#TON

Pavel Durov Cleared Concerns About New Global Search Behavior

Pavel Durov confirmed the global search changes that were previously noticed by our subscribers:

“Previously, public channels with more subscribers would appear higher in the search results. That system worked fine for a while, but was increasingly getting abused by spammers. That's why we now only count genuine subscribers of channels for ranking.

For example, channels with more Premium subscribers will generally rank higher. However, if a specific Premium subscriber joins too many channels, they won't give those channels as big of a search ranking boost. Of course, the new search also prioritizes results from your country.

The feedback on this change is overwhelmingly positive. Channels with an inflated subscribers count have become less visible, while useful groups and mini-apps are now attracting more users”.

#search

Telegram Redesign Competition for Android

Telegram has announced the start of a new competition to create a fresh design for its Android OS application.

Competition Objective:

Participants are required to create a comprehensive redesign concept for Telegram for Android. The concept should reflect the core essence of the application, its lightweight nature, and enhance the visual aesthetics with updated elements.

As an additional source of information, Material Design 3 recommendations can be utilized. To be eligible for rewards, the competition entry must encompass all the components and areas listed in the minimum requirements.

During the design development, it is necessary to carefully consider various scenarios and cover all related elements and components, such as pinned messages, service messages, shared media, stories, etc.

For the chat list, an option with a white header (and an alternative semi-transparent view) can be provided.

All participant requirements, information on submission formats, and additional comments are provided in the @designers channel.

Prize fund: $30,000
Deadline: 23:59 on October 5th (Dubai time)
Who can participate: Everyone
Results: October 19th, 2023

#contest

New Attack by Anonymous Sudan

Hackers from Anonymous Sudan announced the start of a new attack on Telegram's infrastructure in the morning. The official website and Telegram Bot API were experiencing disruptions at the time.

The attack was completed about 50 minutes after it began.

#outages

Reaction Stickers in Stories

• Users and channels can add reaction stickers to their stories, which allow viewers to send a variety of emoji with one tap.

• In stories from channels, such stickers display the number of users who have chosen a particular emotion.

• You can add 1 reaction sticker to a story. Premium users have access to more reaction stickers - up to 5 at a time.

• To add a reaction sticker, just click on the 💭 icon in the sticker panel and select the appropriate emoji. Premium subscribers also have access to any emoji from the author's sets.

• If the author of a story added a reaction sticker with a custom emoji to it, any user can react with such an emoticon, including those without Telegram Premium - to do this, the viewer needs to click on such a sticker.

Stories With Your Music

• Stories now support loading audio files from the device's memory - so you can add any music or voice accompaniment to a photo or video.

• To do this, just click on “Sound” in the sticker panel and select a file, and then select the desired fragment.

• In video stories, you can leave the original audio track and choose any moment for a new one to appear - for example, insert a sound effect in the middle or add music at the end.

• The story author can control the volume of the audio track added to the story.

For a complete list of changes, follow the link.

View Media Files Once

• The Telegram team has updated the interface for setting up media self-destruction - now sending such materials to the dialogue has become even easier!

• This version has added the ability to view photos and videos once.

• In any personal chat, just click on the one-time viewing icon in the photo editor to select the period during which the photo or video file will be available - from one-time viewing to 30 seconds.

• If you select the “View Once” option, the media file will be deleted from the chat immediately after the end of viewing.

• As with other self-destructing media files, if view once mode is enabled, the recipient will not be able to save the file or take a screenshot.

For a complete list of changes, follow the link.

New Login Notifications

• Every time you log into your account, Telegram sends notifications to all connected devices.

• Now notifications of a new type will appear not in the Telegram service dialog, but above the list of chats - so that you definitely notice them.

• If you were not the one who logged into your account, select the “No, it’s not me!” option to secure your account (a new suspicious session will be instantly terminated).

• You can check the list of all devices that currently have access to your messages in Settings > Devices.

⚠️ Recommendations from Telegram

• To enhance account security, Telegram recommends setting a cloud password in Settings > Privacy and Security > Two-Step Verification.

• Never enter verification codes or passwords for anything other than accessing your Telegram conversations!

For a complete list of changes, follow the link.

New Features for Boosted Channels

Pavel Durov commented about latest version of the messenger, in which a new system of boosts from subscribers was created for Telegram channels. In his post, he shared details about which new options will channels receive thanks to this system.

So, in the future, boosts will open up some other features for Telegram channels, in addition to the already existing possibility to post stories on behalf of the channels - for example, custom reactions to posts, emoji statuses and custom backgrounds.

Telegram is also going to add additional ways for channels to receive boosts. Pavel Durov has not yet specified what these methods will be.

#boosts

Boost Channels With Gifted Telegram Premium

Users who received Telegram Premium as a gift now can boost their favorite channel.

Before the update, this feature required purchase of the subscription through Google Play, App Store, or PremiumBot.

#boosts

Bot API was updated to version 6.9

What's new:
• Added the new administrator privileges can_post_stories, can_edit_stories and can_delete_stories to the classes ChatMemberAdministrator and ChatAdministratorRights.
• Added the parameters can_post_stories, can_edit_stories and can_delete_stories to the method promoteChatMember. Currently, bots have no use for these privileges besides assigning them to other administrators.
• Added the ability to set any header color using the setHeaderColor method.
• Added the field CloudStorage and the methods requestWriteAccess, requestContact to the class WebApp.
• Added the Web App events writeAccessRequested, contactRequested.
• Added the fields from_request and from_attachment_menu to the class WriteAccessAllowed.
• Added the fields added_to_attachment_menu, allows_write_to_pm to the class WebAppUser.

See the full changelog for details on the official website.

#update #BotAPI

Contest to create Telegram mini-apps

Telegram is launching a new contest to create mini-apps (a new name for web bots) similar to the samples presented - @DurgerKingBot and @wallet.

Contest task:

You need to create any useful mini-app for Telegram and publish its client and server code on GitHub. Such an app should be simple and functional, but include at least one fully functional example Mini App.


All requirements for participants, criteria for evaluating contest submissions, as well as information about accepting applications are provided in the @contest channel.

Prize fund: $50 000.
Deadline: 23:59 on October 9th Dubai time (UTC+4).
Who can participate: everyone.
Results to be announced: October 31st, 2023

#contest

Number of Boosts for Obtaining A New Level on Channels Has Been Reduced

Now, to get the next level, the channel needs a number of boosts equal to 0.1% (1/1000 part) of the total number of its subscribers.

Let us remind you that previously this required 0.4% (1/250) of the total amount of subscribers.

#boosts #stories

Telegram WebK has been updated to version 1.9.6

👏 What's new:
• Almost all functions related to stories are available to users, all will come later, such as stories for channels and stickers with reactions.
• Administrators of groups and channels can now fully manage their communities. The “Statistics” and “Recent Actions” sections will be added later.
• The reaction panel has been completely redesigned. Now it's easier to choose a reaction from a custom emoji pack!
• Added support for mini-apps.
• Dozens of bugs have been fixed.

https://web.telegram.org/k/

#WebK #update

Telegram Statistics Failures

Chat and channel administrators report that statistics are not loading. Instead of the usual graphs and data, the app shows the message "Loading stats", but the data itself does not appear even after a long wait. The problem is of a mass character.

Due to this, information about the number of Premium users, as well as the actual list of those who boosted for the channel, may also be unavailable.

//Updated on 10/01/2023
Statistics is loading successfully.

#outages #stats