It's been two weeks since I published an article where I review an app or talk about an app under a general theme. My absence was intentional, as I had the need to get off and do something more. Before my brief hiatus, I had only created and published content about open source projects. But, I have always felt like I wasn't really affecting these projects just by writing about them. So, I decided to do more for these projects. In the time of my absence; I have hunted bugs, created vital documents(copywriting), and, proposed amazing ideas for various open source projects. It has been an exciting two weeks. Most of my time was spent on Esteem mobile and Insteem. I have taken keen interests in these projects and I'm glad I did. I will talk about my experience using those apps, but for now, I will talk about something different (My post title has already given that info away).

The project I will be talking about in this article is "Telegram". Telegram is an instant messaging software. It has been around for a reasonable amount of time now and has garnered a handful of end-users. The features of the app are one of the reasons why it has been able to attract a handful of end-users. Especially amidst other cool instant messaging apps like; Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger. Telegram's features are amazing, and the developers are not slacking in their resolve to make the app better. 5 months ago, I published two articles about the app. I was greatly impressed by the app, and I've not ceased to be impressed by it. Like my title suggests; Telegram keeps getting better

Telegram released a new update a few days ago. If you an active user of the app, this wouldn't be new news to you. Immediately I got the update notification, I went head to download the app and check it out. After reading the changelogs, impressed would be an understatement as to how the app made me feel. In this article, I will be talking about those features, and you will get to see from my perspective why Telegram is a great app.

Links to my previous publications about Telegram would be available in the "Links" section below.

Review of Telegram's latest release v5.5.0.

source

Before I proceed with the review, I'd like to outline the changelog of this release.

• Delete any message on both ends in any private chat, anytime.
• Control whether your messages link back to your account when forwarded.
• Control who may see your profile picture.
• Use search in settings to find options and get suggestions from the FAQ.
• Search for emoji. Gifs and stickers in the redesigned panel.
• Get emoji suggestions for the first word you type in a message.
• Enjoy enlarged emoji in messages containing on emoji
• Watch Gifs and video messages without waiting for them to fully download.
• Search for individual stickers using words(based on the relevant emoji)
• Choose whether you'd like to receive notifications for all accounts when using multiple accounts.
• Rotate the screen to switch to full-screen mode when watching an auto-playing video with sound.
• Access every corner of the app using Talkback.
• Enjoy improved call quality.

From the changelog, you can see that a lot of work was put into the app. But, the most outstanding features in this update are the upgraded privacy abilities. User privacy and security is one of the things that makes Telegram stand out from other instant messengers and they aren't resting on their laurels of past achievements.

In this review, I will try to talk about all the new updates in this release. But, pardon me if I'm unable to do that. Lest I forget; This is the Android version of Telegram. I'm not knowledgable about the software on other platforms.

Without further ado, let's delve into the review of Telegram v5.5.0.

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Delete any message on both ends in any private chat, anytime.

In this new release, it is now possible to delete a sent message for both you, and the recipient of your texts. This feature is really cool but, it's not my first time experiencing it on a messenger. Whatsapp also has this feature where I can decide to delete a text for me, or me and the recipient. What makes this feature better on Telegram is that; there's no hint that a text was deleted. On Whatsapp, when I delete a text, ie; for me and the recipient, it shows that I've deleted a message. It also reflects on the other user's device. But, on Telegram, it doesn't show that I deleted a text, either on my device, or, on that of the recipient. It is as though a text wasn't sent.
The benefit of this feature comes in situations when you are having a discussion with someone and you say something inappropriate. It could be a text you sent intentionally or unintentionally. When such happens, the next line of action to take is to delete the message. But, sometimes, you'd love it if the other person doesn't know you deleted a text. Telegram functions that way and that is why I like it. I've been in situations where I had to delete a text. But, since the girl knew I had deleted something, she pestered me to tell her the content of the deleted message, and I had to lie (God already forgave me). So you can see why I feel good about this feature. I also noticed that I could delete messages sent by the other person. The message also disappears from their own chat history. This feature is too amazing.

Control whether your messages link back to your account when forwarded.

This another cool privacy feature that Telegram now has. Until now, I wasn't aware that when I forwarded a message, it could link back to whom it was forwarded from. For example; I'm texting with MR A privately. Then, I forward a text sent by MR A to MR B. In the forwarded message, it would show that that message was a text from MR A, although I was the one who forwarded it. Aside from the name showing, MR A's profile can now be linked from the forwarded message. But, in this new update, there's a way to prevent that from happening. If someone forwards my text to someone else, they can't link my profile from the forwarded message. Pretty cool right? Now my profile can't be compromised anymore via forwarded messages.
There are other settings I can do as regards my privacy via forwarded messages.

Improved call quality.

I have used the Telegram call feature for quite a reasonable number of times. In all those times, I have never had a bad experience using it. The call quality was always great. I haven't tried the call feature with this new release, but, I don't think there will be any noticeable difference. Aside from call quality, Telegram really needs to step up on the call feature. The app lacks basic call features now available on several instant messengers. The app doesn't support video calls and it doesn't support group calls. The reason why these features are unavailable at the moment, I don't know. Maybe they are trying not to be described as a Whatsapp photocopy, or maybe they have other reasons. No one really knows.

Control who may see your profile picture.

Telegram is now giving users the ability to privatize their profile pictures. Honestly, I don't see the need for this. I've never met anyone who says; "Oh! my profile picture is confidential. I don't want anyone to see it". Well, I'm not certain. Maybe there are people that are sceptical about their profile pictures being shown to everyone. But, they'd be really few. For me, I care less about who sees my profile picture or not.

Choose whether you’d like to receive notifications for all accounts when using multiple accounts.

I don't use multiple accounts anymore. I did when I still filled airdrop forms. Most of them(airdrop campaigns) needed me to join Telegram groups. I maxed out the limit in no time and had to add a new account. During the time that I had multiple accounts, I experienced the notifications problem. It was quite messy receiving several notifications for different accounts at the same time. I wished for a way to be able to manage the situation. My prayer has been answered but, it's already too late as I don't use multiple accounts anymore.
In this new release, users can now restrict notifications to only accounts that are active at the moment. For example; I have 3 accounts A, B, C. If I'm active on account B, and I tweak the notifications settings, I will receive notifications only for account B.
This feature is basic, but, it is necessary. Especially for users who have more than one account set up on the app.

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Aside from these features I've talked about, the other features in this release are, casual, or, just aesthetics. But, I like them anyway. The emoji department received lots of tweaks in this update. I would have loved to talk about them but, I don't think I would. They are cool as their description in the changelog suggests.

Summary.

In my previous publications about Telegram, I sought to find out if Telegram was a next-gen instant messenger, or, just a WhatsApp photocopy. Well, in all sense of sincerity, I will say Telegram is quite different, and I don't think they are trying to copy any other messenger out there. Although the app lacks some important messenger features, the current features on the app right now are amazing. There are more updates to come in the future, and I can't wait to see what Telegram offers next. Telegram; really is a next-gen messenger software, and it just keeps getting better. I'm already looking forward to the next update of the app.

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Thanks for reading this article. It feels great to be writing after this brief break I took. From now on, I'm dedicated to bringing you amazing content of projects I stumbled on, while I was away.

Links

Project repository: https://github.com/DrKLO/Telegram

App download link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.telegram.messenger&hl=en

Resources:

The content of this post was created based on my knowledge of the project, and mostly from my experience. The images used are screenshots of the platform on my device. Other images gotten elsewhere have their source links provided just below them.

Series backlinks:

• Telegram; A next-generation end-to-end instant messenger, or just another WhatsApp photocopy.
• Telegram; A next-generation end-to-end instant messenger, or just another WhatsApp photocopy. (Part 2)

Github profile:

https://github.com/HarryHeights