Telegram’s new update brings multi-tab in-app browser, mini app store, and more

Telegram recently introduced a number of new features. From a new in-app browser with multi-tab support to a new mini app category and Mini App Store, the new features on the instant messaging platform are designed to improve the overall experience of the platform’s 950 million monthly active users. The update also allows active users to take advantage of a new feature that lets them gift Telegram Stars to family and friends.

With the latest update, Telegram introduced these new features to its users in a blog post. So, without further ado, let’s take a detailed look at the new features that Telegram has added to the messaging app.

Telegram Browser

The new in-app browser allows users to open multiple tabs, allowing users to switch between news, sites, articles, and mini apps. It also supports decentralized sites hosted on The Open Network (TON) on desktop and mobile devices. According to Telegram, users can return to chats without losing progress when browsing a website.

The new update feature lets users collapse and reopen windows from the bottom bar, add tabs, and then pick up where they left off after checking notifications.

Mini app store

Another addition to the platform is a new Apps tab in the search engine. The update allows users to browse mini apps available on the platform. This tab also allows users to check the list of frequently used and popular mini apps on the platform and allows developers to upload video demos and screenshots for preview.

Sharing from Mini App to Story

In addition, the company has introduced a new feature that allows mini apps to generate content for Telegram Stories, such as AI-generated videos or leaderboard snapshots. This feature helps users share the app’s achievements and also promote mini apps to their contacts.

Give stars to your friends

You can now gift or buy Telegram Stars for your friends and family. Telegram Stars were originally designed to be used to buy content in mini apps or paid content in channels. Additionally, gifted stars will appear as animated gift boxes in chats, and people celebrating birthdays will be highlighted at the top of the list.

Flash for video messages

When recording a video story with the front camera, the front flash now allows users to brighten up their screen in low light. After updating to the latest version of Telegram for iOS or Android devices, a new flash icon will appear in the bottom left corner of the screen in the camera user interface (UI).

Covers of history

The messaging app has also introduced the ability to select a background photo frame for your video stories when posting them to your profile.

Weather widget in Stories

Users can also add an animated weather widget to their stories. This update automatically adjusts between Fahrenheit and Celsius based on the viewer’s device settings.

In addition to the mobile platform, new in-app browser and app mini tab features were also made available for macOS in a July update, according to Telegram. The development comes a month after the tech giant introduced support for Copilot, Microsoft’s artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot.