Instant messaging platform Telegram has rolled out a major update that includes a new in-app browser with multi-tabbed support, and a mini app store.
The update also includes a new category of mini apps, the option to gift stars to friends, and many other improvements.
The new Telegram in-app browser supports multiple tabs, allowing users to easily switch between messages, websites, articles, and applets, and it supports decentralized websites hosted on TON, making Web3 accessible to Telegram users.
Users can now fold and reopen pages from the bottom bar, add bookmarks, and pick up where they left off after checking notifications.
Telegram said that with more than 500 million of its 950 million users interacting with applets every month, a new tab update introduces “Apps” in search. This tab displays commonly used applets, and developers can upload video demos and screenshots for preview.
Applets can also create content for Telegram Stories, such as AI-generated videos or snapshots of leaderboards.
Regarding the “Gift Stars to Friends” feature, you can now buy and gift Telegram Stars to friends. Stars can be used for digital goods in mini apps or paid content in channels, and gifted Stars will appear as animated gift boxes in chats.
Telegram also introduced the “Flash for Video Messages” feature, which allows users to use the front flash for brighter video messages in low light, in addition to the “Weather Widget in Stories” feature, which enables users to add an animated weather widget to their stories.
The Russian platform announced the “Story Covers” feature, which enables its users to choose a cover photo frame for their video stories when posting them on their profiles.