Telegram rolls out group video calling feature with the latest update
Telegram has finally introduced group video calls – over a year after initially announcing its arrival. Users across mobile devices, tablets, and desktops can utilize the update to transform their group audio chats into video conference calls. In addition to group video calls, Telegram has brought a handful of interface-level changes through the latest update. These changes include the addition of animated backgrounds, new message sending animations, and new animated emoji. The updated Telegram also includes a special menu button for bots.
Users just need to tap the camera icon in a group audio call to switch their video on. Once enabled, you can pin one of your group members to see their video on the front. Telegram has also provided the option to share your screen and even both your camera feed and screen simultaneously.
Users on tablets and desktops get additional support during video calls, where they can open the side panel and see a split-screen view of the video grid and list of participants. It will be optimized for both portrait and landscape orientation, Telegram said in a blog post.
On desktops, users will also have the ability for selective screen sharing. This means that users can broadcast only an individual program during their group video calls, instead of showing the rest of the participants the entire screen. This is similar to how you can share a particular screen from your desktop when using Zoom.
Group Video Calls are here. With screen sharing, crisp audio and smooth animations, all optimized for phones, tablets and computers. This is big – and will only get bigger. 😎 https://t.co/1S7ZkbRhJL
— Telegram Messenger (@telegram) June 25, 2021
Desktop users will also get members pinned automatically when they share their screens. Further, voice chats will be available on desktops in a separate window to let users type and talk without leaving their other important tasks.
Telegram now also allows users to make group voice calls with an unlimited number of participants. However, the option to make group video calls is currently limited to the first 30 people joining a conversation on the platform. This simply means that you can’t add more than 29 members to your group video calls on Telegram. But nonetheless, Telegram has promised to increase that limit soon.
In April last year, Telegram first announced its plans to bring group video calls to the platform. CEO Pavel Durov in April this year said that the new option would be available as early as May. However, it has now finally been launched for both mobile and desktop users.
