Telegram launches one-on-one video calls on iOS and Android

[wall03]

Summary

Secure messaging app Telegram has launched an alpha version of one-on-one video calls on both its Android and iOS apps, the company announced, saying 2020 had “highlighted the need for face-to-face communication.”

 

Quotes

Quote

In a blog post marking its seventh anniversary, Telegram described the process for starting a video call: tap the profile page of the person you want to connect with. Users are able to switch video on or off at any time during a call, and the video calls support picture-in-picture mode, so users can continue scrolling through the app if that call gets boring. Video calls will have end-to-end-encryption, Telegram’s blog posts states, one of the app’s defining features for its audio calls and texting

“Our apps for Android and iOS have reproducible builds, so anyone can verify encryption and confirm that their app uses the exact same open source code that we publish with each update,” according to the post.

In April, Telegram announced it would launch group video calls later this year. This isn’t quite that, but in the most recent blog post, the company indicated that “video calls will receive more features and improvements in future versions, as we work toward launching group video calls in the coming months.”

Telegram said in April it had reached 400 million monthly active users.

 

My thoughts

It's nice that more people are entering the video call market, but there are becoming too many players in the market.

 

Sources

https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/15/21370420/telegram-video-calls-os-android

 

Press Release

https://telegram.org/blog/video-calls

[Drama Lama]

Definitely better than the telegram

[wall03]

Just now, Drama Lama said:

Definitely better than the telegram

 

 

[Drama Lama]

4 hours ago, wall03 said:

 

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telegraphy#Telegram_services

[AlexOak]

1 minute ago, Drama Lama said:

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telegraphy#Telegram_services

I see what you did there. So old gen. 

[DrMacintosh]

Neat, now only if I knew anyone who used Telegram. 

[Arika]

I love telegram. It's so simple and uncluttered. I don't think I've ever used voice on it, but it is my go to IM client. 

[Bombastinator]

There’s a pile of secure messaging apps.  They’re required for hippa stuff.  My doctor uses Lifesize.  There are several others though.

[vanished]

I assume they will be eventually rolling this out to all versions, including web/desktop.  If so, that will potentially be a big deal.  I feel like it's no secret that there is a distinct lack of good video chat/conference apps.  The issues with Zoom, though a bit old news at this point, are well documented, and Skype is far from having a great reputation either.  Some of the "dedicated" apps like Google Duo and Facetime are better if you have the option (at least, as far as I can tell from reading reviews - I've never tried either myself), but obviously a communication app that can't easily be used by anyone regardless of device is about as intelligent and useful of a concept as a solar powered flashlight with no battery.  With that all in mind, imo Telegram is poised to become *the* video chat program, if they can do a good job of this.  They've done a good job with most other things so far so I'm hopeful.

[DildorTheDecent]

Probably won't use the feature but it's nice I guess.

[Orcblood]

I just uninstalled this app. Someone suggested it as a Marco Polo alternative since Marco Polo went crazy with the monetization. It did not offer anything close to Marco Polo  so I uninstalled it and continue to use Marco Polo with family...Thought the app was a bit odd even for SMS. Maybe I should have given it more time?