Telegram: A free social messaging client for everyone (Part 3)
So far it has been my pleasure for you to be a part of my blog series and I'm grateful for your endless audience throughout these series.
Telegram messaging client as we all know has been a raving platform in the mouth of many users both programmers and none-programmers.
You can agree with me that telegram messaging client is a great project considering the fact that it is still in its early stage.
For those who didn't follow on the previous articles, let me rephrase on what I did.
- Contact
- Call
- Chat
- Unpin/pin
- Mute
- Delete
- Unread
- Edit
- Search
- Settings
- Profile
- Account
- Cloud-based messages
- Channel
The above points were discussed vividly, and Its links will be provided at the end of this article.
Since the initial release of telegram messaging client in August 2013, exactly 5 years ago, it has gained popularity more than most paid and unpaid messaging clients and we have the Russian entrepreneur Pavel Doruv and Nikolia to thank for that.
Since it's initial release, telegram messaging client has grown endlessly with numerous features seen on all updates.
A few days ago, an update was released(version 5.0) which featured different enhancement though it was more of an interface upgrade.
I guess the developers needed to improve its interface to be more appealing and aesthetic.
What to expect from version 5.0
Apply blur and motion effects I chat backgrounds.
Set custom color as background and apply patterns.
Search for new background by color or topic
Share and set background via links that work on all platforms.
Use background you set on one device on your other device.
Enjoy a selection of new backgrounds.
Source
Today, I'll be focusing on three topics and I hope to review it to the best of my knowledge.
- Secret message
- Live location
- Bots
Before I begin, I feel obliged to make a proper introduction to this project once again.
Definition of Telegram
Telegram messaging client is just like any other messaging application in the market, but the gripping thing that makes it predominant over it alternatives is it customizable nature being an open source application.
Though telegram messaging client is an open source application, the source code for recent updates is not always published immediately, and its server-side codes are proprietary and closed source. However, telegram messaging client has made provisions for its APIs to be available to self-reliant developers.
The messages and media files shared on telegram messaging client are stored on it sever by default, and it is client-server encrypted.
Telegram messaging client does not provide end-to-end encryption for groups or channels, but it does for voice calls and secret chat.
Secret message
Telegram messaging clients enables users to view their cloud-base messages on multiple devices, but messages sent within a secret chat cannot be viewed on another device except for the devices which it was initiated and accepted. These messages can be set to self destruct and it can be deleted anytime.
The secret message feature provides end-to-end encryption throughout a conversation, and using this feature ensures that your messages are secured from any intrusion by a third-party.
Unlike cloud-base messages which are stored on the server by default, messages sent during a secret chat is encrypted with the help of the MTproto mobile protocol provided by telegram messaging client.
The secret message is a formidable feature seen on telegram messaging client, I have used it on several occasions because I constantly feel the need to be shielded away from any form of intrusion prior to the fact that cloud-base messages have no end-to-end encryption.
According to Pavel Durov who argued that telegram messaging client was built this way so that messages sent from one device can be accessed across multiple devices, also to prevent third-party from unsecured backups.
As a constant user of this application, telegram messaging client is vulnerable in this aspect and it can be seen from its ban from some countries and criticism from cryptography experts.
Live location
Sharing my live location is my forte since the release of telegram messaging client version 4.4 in October 2017.
Live location is a helpful feature used among friends who are willing to connect or keep tabs on one another.
When I was in school, I used this feature severally. It was a better means to stay connected and to catch up with my friends.
The beauty of this feature can be seen when multiple users within a group have shared their live locations because it will be shown on an interactive map.
A user can choose how long he wants to share his location, because live location has options to share for 15 minutes, an hour or eight hours.
Bot
Telegram messaging client Bot is a preeminent feature not seen in its alternatives.
Bot feature offers more power to developers because they are accounts operated by programs.
Bot accounts are just like human accounts on telegram messaging client and it has abilities to perform actions such as responding to mentions and messages.
The bot feature can be integrated into programs, it can be invited into different groups, and it can be programmed to accept online credit card payments.
In my early days on telegram messaging client, I didn't know they were bots within so whenever I got a message from bots I felt it was from a human account.
After much digging, I learned of its existence and I tried to create one myself which I failed because I had no programming knowledge.
I hope to establish a bot sometime in the future and I pray it should be a success.
Summary
From today's review, I can confidently say that the telegram messaging client has all the necessary features to outshine its contemporaries. It is a young project and with the pace at which updates are released, telegram messaging client is surging for a preeminent height.
It is a useful project for both programmers and none-programmers.
Thank you
Links:
Official website:
Project Repository:
https://github.com/TelegramOrg/Telegram-Android
Previous series:
Telegram: The most advanced free messaging client (Part 2)
This is why telegram deserves its current ranking on playstore
Resources:
To the best of my knowledge, this article was written by me and pictures shown are from my smartphone. The ones that were downloaded online have been sourced with links in order to avoid and right infringement.
Hello, @abasifreke!
Thank you for another comprehensive and informative post about Telegram. The post is also detailed and well-illustrated with quality screenshots and relevant graphic and video content.
On the content side, I am pleased with your work. Once again, you managed to create an interesting and editorial blog post that contains signigican tnformation about some key features of the application. I appreciate the fact that you took the time to highlight the reasons why you like those features described in your review, and I definitely enjoyed reading about your personal experience of using the application. Keep up the good work.
That said, there were issues of style and proofreading. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading your work.
I look forward to your next contribution.
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Thank you @lordneroo
Thank you for your review, @lordneroo! Keep up the good work!
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