Big day today, we’re launching Telegram Stars ⭐️ – a way to pay for digital services in mini-apps.

Unlike old-school apps, Telegram mini apps like Notcoin don’t need to be installed for use. That’s why they grow so quickly. In addition, Telegram’s social nature allows mini apps to spread virally, so they reach tens of millions of users within weeks ⚡️

⭐️ With Telegram Stars, mini apps can now accept payments for digital services using the simplest payment method possible – in-app purchases on Android and iOS 💳

Mini app developers can withdraw their Stars via Fragment using TON. They can also use Stars to further promote their apps on Telegram — on preferential terms! 👛

Apple and Google take a 30% cut when users buy Stars from them, but Telegram will subsidize ads purchased with Telegram Stars. So if developers reinvest Stars in promoting their app, the overall commission will be nearly 0%! As a result, launching apps on Telegram makes more economic sense than launching traditional mobile apps  📈

The recent mini app boom has already made Telegram the main destination to launch new apps. Stars and ad subsidies bring this to a new level – unprecedented in the history of social media 😏

- @Durov

Telegram Stars ⭐️ are now live – allowing all developers to sell digital goods and services in their bots and mini-apps.

The new payment documentation has everything you need to get started – including answers to the most frequently asked questions.

For more details about these changes, see the updated Payments Section in our Terms of Service for Bot Developers.

Source : 💌💌💌

🧠 Last week, Microsoft introduced its Copilot AI bot on Telegram.

😌 I am not surprised to see big tech launching their apps on Telegram. Telegram is the only platform that is friendly to all AI developers and doesn’t impose its own competing chatbots on users.

⭐️ The new Stars payments, where Telegram takes almost no commission (less than 5%) and subsidizes ads, are not only lucrative for developers but also compliant with Apple’s and Google’s rules. That’s why we will recommend bots and mini apps that accept Stars in relevant parts of the Telegram apps.

📬 For example, we will start showing an AI section of our upcoming “Mini App Store” to businesses that are adding bots to process customer feedback. Or suggest bots that help create stickers to the users who try our Sticker Maker ⭐️

And so on. The possibilities are endless ⭐️

- @Durov

💔 My phone got “unlocked” by the Dubai heat 🫠

👴 I’ve been using this $180 Samsung as my primary device for the last two years. I chose it because it’s one of the most widely used phones among Telegram users. I wanted to understand their experience to serve them better 🫡

But it seems I’ll have to change my phone soon 😂

-@Pavel

🥲 It’s getting warmer in Dubai, and my friends are leaving for fancy places like the south of France. As a French citizen, I agree that France is the best holiday destination 🇫🇷

📱 As the Telegram CEO though, I don’t take holidays. Instead, I keep working while meeting our users from unusual locations. This summer I’ve decided to check out Central Asia to see what life is like there, study how people use Telegram and what their digital needs are 📞

☕️ I will keep you posted in this channel about my discoveries 🕵️‍♂️

-@Pavel

🏆 Design Competition 2024: Results

This was by far the most thrilling design contest we've ever held! We would like to express our sincerest gratitude and admiration to each and every contestant – both those who took their very first steps in the challenging world of design and the noble design veterans who set aside some time from their projects to contribute to a better Telegram of tomorrow. ✨

You all are amazing, and we thank you a lot for your fantastic designs! 💙

Now, let us shed some light on the judging process in this competition. The Telegram Design Team joined forces with the Telegram Contest Department, and each judge spent dozens of hours watching and sorting through all the submissions. Once the judges completed their solo evaluations and highlighted the most promising discoveries, the whole jury met to watch and discuss together all the submissions that were not instantly discarded. Aside from the initially mentioned core criteria, another important consideration was, "How close is this video to the ones we make for Telegram Blog?" 🏅

Thanks to this multistage checking, verification, and discussions, the members of the jury were unanimous in the prize distribution.

In order to justly apprise all the notable and solid works, we've decided to increase the prize fund by another $24,000, totaling $54,000.

📱 🤝 📱 With this competition, we are also introducing a new Contest Rewards 🤑by giving out your prizes in USD₮ on TON – to ensure smooth and instant payouts.

Without further a do, please meet the winners!

1st PLACE – $5,000
🥇Dandy Mammoth – View Channel
🥇Eager Duck – View Channel
🥇Stout Pony – View Channel
🥇Swift Shark – View Channel

2nd PLACE – $2,000
🥈Ace Bat – View Channel
🥈Desert Bass – View Channel
🥈Nimble Sheep – View Channel
🥈Bold Crab – View Channel
🥈Small Mantis – View Channel
🥈Large Turtle – View Channel
🥈Stylish Gecko – View Channel
🥈Tactful Bee – View Channel
🥈Quiet Squirrel – View Channel
🥈Funky Jaguar – View Channel

3rd PLACE – $1,000
🥉Shiny Moth – View Channel
🥉Gifted Puma – View Channel
🥉Daring Gecko – View Channel
🥉Funky Camel – View Channel
🥉Sweet Raccoon – View Channel
🥉Humble Cockroach – View Channel
🥉Mighty Unicorn – View Channel
🥉Regal Sloth – View Channel
🥉Earnest Fly – View Channel
🥉Nice Pony – View Channel
🥉Cute Lemur – View Channel
🥉Fluffy Ram – View Channel
🥉Humble Ram – View Channel
🥉Dreamy Leopard – View Channel

Congratulations to the winners and a happy Monday to you all!

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