Telegram Introduces Mini Apps 2.0 with Enhanced Features

Telegram has announced a significant update to its mini apps platform, marking the most extensive enhancement in its history. This new version, Mini Apps 2.0, introduces a host of features designed to improve user experience and expand developer capabilities, according to Telegram.

Enhanced User Experience

The update includes a full-screen mode, allowing mini apps to utilize the entire screen in both portrait and landscape orientations. This feature enables a broader range of game genres and improved interface interactions. Users can now also add direct shortcuts to their favorite mini apps on their device's home screen, facilitating one-tap access to preferred games and services.

Geolocation and Motion Tracking

With the new geolocation access feature, users can share their location with mini apps, paving the way for location-based games and interactive maps for events. This access is disabled by default, ensuring user privacy until permissions are granted for each app. Additionally, device motion tracking has been enabled, allowing apps to incorporate unique controls and create immersive VR experiences.

Interactivity and Customization

Mini apps now support media sharing, enabling users to send referral codes, memes, and other media directly to any chat. This feature is complemented by a new capability for creating documents, such as AI-generated profile pictures and audio files. The update also allows Telegram Premium users to set emoji statuses within mini apps, reflecting activities like gaming or using a taxi service.

Developer Monetization and Customization

Developers can now offer subscription plans through Telegram Stars, monetizing their mini apps with various content tiers. These stars can be used to enhance app functionalities, such as increasing message limits. Additionally, developers have the opportunity to earn rewards from Telegram Ads featured in bots and mini apps.

Technical Enhancements

To optimize performance, mini apps can now access basic hardware information from devices, such as processing power and memory capacity, to adjust settings for a smoother user experience. Developers can also customize their apps' loading screens with unique icons and colors.

Telegram continues to innovate, with plans for further advancements in mini apps and beyond. Users and developers are encouraged to explore these new features through early implementations available in apps like @playdeckbot and @major.