News
Telegram Introduces Support For Group Video Calls & Many Other Features
The biggest limitation at the moment is the fact that group video calls are limited to the first 30 people who join a voice chat.
Telegram users have a good reason to celebrate because their favorite instant messaging software now supports group video calls.
To use the new feature, you need to first start a voice chat by tapping or clicking the hamburger menu in the profile of any group where you are an admin and selecting the Start Voice Chat option. From there, simply tap the camera icon to switch your video on.
“Tap on any video to make it full screen,” explains Telegram on its blog. “If you pin a video, it will stay focused as new users join the call and turn on their cameras.”
The Telegram app lets you seamlessly share your screen with others, and you don’t even have to turn off your camera feed. The screen sharing option can be accessed by clicking the hamburger menu icon during a group video call. The same menu is also where you can find the toggle for the improved noise suppression option.
All in all, the group video calls feature seems to be polished and well-implemented, which isn’t all that surprising considering that Telegram first promised to release it by the end of last year, later extending the deadline to May.
The biggest limitation at the moment is the fact that group video calls are limited to the first 30 people who join a voice chat. Telegram is already working on increasing this limit, but we don’t know how long it will take.
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Other notable features introduced alongside group video calls include algorithmically generated animated backgrounds for chats, seamless message sending animations, login information reminders, new animated emoji, improved creation of new sticker packs, two new app icons on iOS, and better communication with bots.
Telegram currently has around 500 million users around the world, and new features such as these are guaranteed to make its user base grow even larger.
News
Altegio Expands To UAE, Driving Digital Transformation For Local Businesses
The company aims to enhance efficiency for local service businesses, aligning with the UAE’s ambitious digital economy plan for 2031.
Altegio, a digital business ecosystem featuring sophisticated online booking and management solutions, has announced its entry into the UAE market, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and accelerate digital adoption for local enterprises.
This expansion also complements the UAE’s Digital Economy Strategy, which aims to increase the digital economy’s share in the nation’s non-oil GDP to over 20% by 2031. Projections indicate the UAE’s digital sector could contribute an estimated $140 billion by 2032, highlighting the region’s commitment to fostering a modern, tech-driven economy.
Altegio’s platform offers over 30 distinct management tools that automate as much as 80% of routine business operations. Its suite of services includes online booking options, a customizable mobile app, robust financial and inventory management, analytics, SMS and email marketing, and a customer loyalty program.
Altegio’s key differentiator lies in its customer-focused approach to business automation. Unlike many platforms that redirect customers to external sites, potentially exposing them to competitor services, Altegio’s booking system is embedded directly within each company’s own ecosystem. This prevents “cannibalization” of clients and enhances customer loyalty by maintaining a consistent, secure experience.
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“Our expansion into the UAE is a strategic move that aligns with the country’s ambitious digital transformation agenda,” explained Yri Petrou, Managing Partner at Altegio. “We are excited to support UAE businesses in embracing digital transformation across their operations. By providing a comprehensive suite of business automation tools, we aim to not only accelerate operational efficiency but also redefine how businesses engage with customers”.
Founded in 2022, Altegio operates as a network of independent firms with offices in the UAE, Brazil, Hungary, Cyprus, Armenia, and several other nations. Each regional hub integrates local partners and technologies to enhance Altegio’s core offerings. The company’s impact includes an annual gross merchandise volume (GMV) of $1 billion, a client base of over 10,000 across 89 countries, and more than 4 million bookings each month on its platform.