Telegram is coming up with some revolutionary updates for its widely-used messaging application. Creator Pavel Durov announced an app store and in-app browser will be coming to the platform by July 2024.
The news is being revealed as Telegram approaches 950 million monthly active creator accounts, a number that has nearly doubled since last year and the company looking to pass one billion by end of this year. The growth falls in line with an increase of users gaming on blockchain-based games and playing NotCoin to the Telegram user base globally.
Discover Mini Apps with Telegram’s New App Store
The utilization of this new mini app store within Telegram will change how all users experience the platform. With this feature, people might come across and start using a whole bunch of Telegram-based lightweight apps.
The mini apps in question will come in the form of games, which people can plug into WeChat alongside tools or services that Tencent believes make sense – all part of an effort to improve the user experience. Additionally, the app store to support Web3 in general (as this play fits into Telegram’s broader blockchain / crypto tech strategy).
In-App Browser For A Smooth Browsing
Telegram now supports an in-app browser that lets you take a look at web content right inside the app -making things smoother and more convenient. Now you do not need to constantly switch between different applications — all at hand, and this makes Telegram even more user-friendly.
Boosting Security and Trust
Telegram will address the scam problem by displaying a public account’s month of registration and primary country similarly to Instagram. Again, this is more transparent and trust worthy change for users. And organizations will able to use mini apps for channel labels, creating a process that is distributed verification from third parties.
Further Innovation and Changes
Overall, Telegram is adapting itself to better serve the users as per their convenience. A few weeks ago, the app introduced a handful of new features like Minimized Mini Apps for making mini apps easier to use alongside other tasks. This will improve the overall user experience of your app as it allows for perfect task switching within same application.
Noteworthy updates also include the option to pay with a debit and credit card, “Telegram Stars,” where users can create paid posts in order for followers able to purchase digital goods or reward creators. It offers users a method to help content creators and interact with their work.
Better Discoverability and Engagements on Content
The search functionality can detect location and hashtag in Stories, making it easier for users to discover content that might interest them. Furthermore, a redesigned customizable link widget will make it easier for creators to share links with their audience within stories.
The Coming of Age for Blockchain and Decentralization
Durov added that 2024 is going to be a huge year for blockchain, with hundreds of millions of users getting their first taste. Telegram is well positioned to enable secure cryptocurrency transactions as part of the wider digital transformation, and with physical currency use declining throughout much of the world, decentralized tools including non-custodial wallets for its users are crucially important.
The Open Network (TON)
The Open Network (TON), founded by Telegram in 2017, also demonstrates its consistency with the decentralization ethos. TON, the decentralized services provided by TON include storage, anonymous network and DNS which will support very fast payments based proof of stake method Integration with Tether — the company behind USDT, which is currently considered to be one of the world’s most used stablecoin, and will allow any holder to send direct payments via Telegram as well as utilizing blockchain technology on already mainly decentralized IM platform.
Conclusion
This is nothing but a huge and significant move for integration of the Telegram platform. By incorporating a mini AppStore, an in-app browser and continuing to roll out new features alongside their deep commitment to blockchain and decentralisation; Telegram is looking poised not only improve UX but also entrench its position as the leading app of our time.