Telegram gets major update

Telegram has rolled out a substantial update, bringing a host of new features designed to enhance user experience across various aspects of the messaging platform. A standout addition is the comprehensive support for smartwatches, now offering full-fledged applications for both Apple Watch and Wear OS devices.

Users can now engage with their Telegram conversations directly from their wrists, reading messages, viewing media, listening to voice notes, and responding via text, voice, or stickers. Platform-specific features are also included, such as pinning chats and muting notifications on Android watches, and viewing locations and sending stickers on Apple Watch.

Bots have received a significant upgrade, becoming considerably more intelligent and versatile. They can now format messages as detailed articles, incorporating elements like tables, blockquotes, checklists, images, collapsible sections, and even mathematical formulas. The maximum message length for bots has been expanded to 32,768 characters, and AI bots can now serve as group administrators, capable of verifying new members through mini-app quizzes and moderating content.

Further enhancements include the ability to embed links directly into poll answer options. Telegram's built-in browser now handles .md files and Markdown formatting seamlessly, eliminating the need for third-party applications. Users also have greater control over link handling, choosing between the internal browser or external options like Safari or Chrome, and can set up whitelists for specific websites. The Android version features updated header bars to display more chats on screen.