CEO Pavel Durov’s Announcement Confirms Testing Success
In a major leap forward for the messaging platform, Telegram has officially launched its much-anticipated Stories feature, enabling users to share time-limited videos and photos. The announcement comes after Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, revealed last month that the company was testing the feature, and it is now live for Premium subscribers.
Catching Up with Competitors, Telegram Joins the Stories Trend
Telegram’s foray into the Stories arena comes as no surprise, as several rival messaging apps, including WhatsApp and Signal, have already embraced similar features. Durov admitted that there were doubts within the team about adopting Stories, but the overwhelming positive response during testing changed their perspective. “We can no longer imagine Telegram without it,” said Durov.
From Snapchat to Meta – A Journey of Evolution
The Stories format first gained popularity on Snapchat, captivating users with its ephemeral and engaging content. Meta (formerly Facebook) then incorporated the idea across its platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, further cementing its popularity. Even other platforms like the NBA, TikTok, and Twitter experimented with their versions of Stories, with varying degrees of success.
Drawing Inspiration from BeReal – A Unique Twist to the Stories Feature
Telegram’s Stories feature draws inspiration from BeReal, a one-hit-wonder app that allowed users to capture pictures from both front and rear cameras simultaneously. By integrating this functionality, Telegram adds a creative element to the Stories experience, making it even more interactive and fun for its users.
Empowering Users with Granular Controls
Recognizing the importance of user privacy and control, Telegram is offering extensive customization options for Stories. Users can decide how long their Stories remain visible to contacts, with timed increments of 6, 12, 24, or 48 hours, or they can choose to keep the story pinned permanently until they manually remove it. Additionally, each story comes with individual privacy settings, allowing users to curate their audience and share content exclusively with desired contacts.
The Future of Telegram Stories
With the initial release limited to Premium subscribers, Telegram aims to gauge user feedback and response to further refine the feature. As the popularity of Stories continues to grow, it is highly likely that the feature will eventually be rolled out to all Telegram users, providing a dynamic and interactive way to connect and communicate.
In conclusion, Telegram’s new Stories feature signifies the platform’s commitment to staying ahead in the messaging game by offering its users a richer and more immersive experience. As the Stories trend continues to evolve, Telegram aims to be at the forefront of visual communication, empowering users to share their moments and stories like never before. So, if you’re a Telegram Premium subscriber, don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to elevate your messaging experience!
