Telegram launches Voice Chats 2.0

This feature had earlier existed only for Telegram Groups that was launched in December 2020.

"This update also brings recordable voice chats, rich lists of participants, raise hand mechanics, invite links for speakers and listeners, voice chat titles. In addition to this public figures will now be able to join voice chats as their channels, and not necessarily with their personal accounts maintaining their privacy," the company said in a statement.

Admins of channels and public groups can now host voice chats for millions of live listeners.

To start a voice chat, open the profile of any group or channel where you're an admin, tap (?) or (?) and select start voice chat.

Admins can record the live voice chat sessions, and the audio file will be automatically saved in their 'Saved Messages' window right after the session.

In a live chat session where the participants are muted, listeners can give alert the admins if they want to speak by raising their hand. For admins to easily recognise a particular participant's credentials, their bio is now visible to them where the  subject expertise could be mentioned.

Admins of public groups and channels can now create invite links that open the voice chat right away on clicking. In addition to this, separate links can be made for speakers and listeners.

In addition, celebrities can join a voice chat with the name of their dedicated public Channel on Telegram instead of their personal accounts.

Users can now also cancel forwarding a message, or replace the recipient before it gets sent.