Telegram Archives

AppWizard

August 17, 2026

Convos Wants to Be the First Messaging App Built for the Age of AI

Convos integrates an assistant directly within group chats to provide answers without switching apps. Users can create an identity without a phone number or email, enhancing privacy and simplifying setup. The app features "Little Assistants," specialized agents for tasks, powered by ChatGPT or Claude, allowing them to interact seamlessly in conversations. The messaging interface is similar to popular apps, with a unique "Explode" function for permanent deletion of chats. Convos is designed for privacy-focused users, group planners, and early adopters, though it may not suit those needing a complete contact list or instant responses. The app has a 4.8 rating on the App Store and over 100 downloads on the Play Store.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

Images of Microsoft’s Canceled Windows Surface Phone Have, Well… Surfaced

A recent leak has revealed images of a Microsoft smartphone prototype believed to date back to 2013 or 2014, speculated to be a Surface-branded Windows Phone that never reached the market. The images show a sleek phone with a silver metal frame, navigation keys beneath a 720p display, and a Microsoft logo on the back. The device operates on an early internal build of Windows Phone 8.1 from September 2013. Key specifications hinted at include an unidentified Qualcomm processor, a micro-USB port, a headphone jack, a SIM slot, volume controls, and a dedicated camera button. However, details such as the chipset model, RAM, storage capacity, battery size, or camera specifications are not disclosed. The design resembles Microsoft's early Surface devices, but there is no definitive evidence it was intended for commercial release. This leak follows Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia's Devices and Services business, which was announced in September 2013 and finalized in April 2014, potentially explaining the decision to shelve this smartphone design.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Russia charges Telegram CEO Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism

Russian authorities have charged Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, with aiding terrorism and placed him on an international wanted list. The Federal Security Service (FSB) alleges that Telegram facilitates criminal activities and operations related to Ukrainian intelligence, classifying it as a facilitator of "acts of sabotage and terrorism, mass murder, and cyber fraud." Instead of targeting the platform with fines or restrictions, Russian authorities are pursuing Durov personally. If convicted in Russia, he faces the possibility of life imprisonment. This case reflects a broader trend of governments holding technology executives accountable for content and activities on their platforms, with similar legal pressures observed on other platforms like Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Apple restores Telegram after child abuse material ban; Gram token recovers

Apple has reinstated Telegram to its App Store after a temporary removal due to the discovery of child sexual abuse material. Telegram responded by removing the offending content and banning the user responsible, which helped recover the value of the Gram token that had initially dipped by approximately 6.4%. The incident underscores the scrutiny messaging platforms face regarding illegal content, with Telegram currently under scrutiny in Russia, France, and Australia for alleged facilitation of illegal activities and extremist content.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Privacy or Evasion? The Policy Dilemma Around Messaging App Usernames

On June 29, 2026, WhatsApp introduced a feature allowing users to create usernames to enhance privacy by enabling connections without revealing phone numbers. The Government of India expressed concerns about potential increases in cybercrime linked to this feature and issued a notice to WhatsApp requesting a pause on its rollout. The notice demanded justification under various laws, including the Information Technology Act, 2000. Similar inquiries were sent to other messaging platforms like Telegram and Signal. This scrutiny represents a shift from reactive measures to proactive assessments of platform design, emphasizing how features like usernames can impact user safety and accountability. The Delhi High Court upheld a temporary ban on Telegram during an examination period, recognizing the relevance of platform architecture in assessing risks. The increase in cybersecurity incidents in India raised concerns about usernames enabling fraud and evasion. The government is advocating for a balanced approach that allows pseudonymous interaction while ensuring accountability.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Even the AI assistant inside Russia’s state-backed Max messenger tells users not to trust the app

Alisa, the AI assistant in the Max messenger, has recommended users consider alternative messaging platforms such as Telegram, Signal, or WhatsApp. She highlighted several security vulnerabilities in Max, including the absence of end-to-end encryption and the direction of user data to VK-owned servers. The data collected by Max includes IP addresses, activity timestamps, contact lists, device and browser types, internet service provider information, and various metadata. Alisa suggests that users keep Max on a separate device, referred to as a “maxphone,” to protect sensitive information. If used on personal devices, she recommends using the browser version and restricting the app's access to location services, contacts, microphone, and camera to enhance privacy and security.

Winsage

August 11, 2026

Is this Microsoft’s canceled Surface Phone from 2014? Mysterious Windows Phone prototype appears in new photos

Microsoft had plans to launch a Windows Phone device under the Surface branding in 2014, which never materialized. A prototype, known internally as Raven, from the 2013-2014 era has been revealed, operating on an early version of Windows Phone 8.1. The device features an undisclosed Qualcomm chip, a 720p display, a Microsoft logo on the back, and a silver metal frame. It includes dedicated hardware navigation keys, individual volume buttons, a camera button, a power button, a micro-USB port, a headphone jack, and a SIM card slot. Microsoft later shifted focus to other projects, including the Surface Duo, while the Windows Phone platform was abandoned in 2017.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

Google Play Store’s first experimental ‘Labs’ feature lets you ‘expand everything’

Google is testing a new feature in its Play Store called “Expand everything,” which automatically expands search results to provide more information about apps without needing to manually expand each result. This feature, found in the “Play Labs” section, displays search results in an expanded format by default, changing the arrow icon from an expander to a collapsible tool. While it offers more detailed information, it occupies more screen space, resulting in fewer visible results. Users can enable or disable this feature by navigating to the “Play Labs” option in their profile settings. The rollout is gradual, with limited access for users currently, but it is expected to become more widely available soon.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

The offline messaging apps challenging internet shutdowns

Governments are finding it harder to suppress protests through internet shutdowns due to the use of offline messaging applications. Bitchat, an app launched in 2025 by Jack Dorsey, allows devices to communicate via Bluetooth without internet access and gained popularity during recent student protests in New Delhi amid an internet blackout. The Indian government attempted to block access to Bitchat's source code on GitHub, marking a notable first instance of trying to geoblock an open-source repository. On July 26, Bitchat had 430,000 daily active users in India, with 74% of global downloads occurring in the country from July 20 to July 26. The app has been used in various protests globally, including those in Hong Kong, Myanmar, Nepal, Uganda, Madagascar, and Iran. On July 23, the Indian government ordered GitHub to disable access to three Bitchat repositories in India quickly. Jack Dorsey expressed concerns about the Indian government's stance on Bitchat, while digital rights advocates criticized the government's actions as unnecessary. The repositories remained accessible in India and were mirrored on decentralized platforms, complicating removal efforts. India's government has increasingly scrutinized communication platforms based on their design, imposing restrictions on apps like Telegram and WhatsApp.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Russian Mobile Carriers Waive Data Fees for State-Backed Max Messenger

Major mobile carriers in Russia, including MTS, MegaFon, Beeline, and T2, have agreed to zero-rate data usage for the domestic Max messenger, effective August 1. This initiative aims to promote the state-approved platform and discourage the use of foreign messaging apps. Subscribers will have free access to voice calls, messaging, file transfers, and other services within the Max app. Since its launch in spring 2025, Max has been integrated into state digital services and mandated to be pre-installed on all smartphones sold in Russia, resulting in nearly 70 million daily active users. This announcement follows EU sanctions against VK, the app's developer, due to allegations of its connections with the Russian FSB and surveillance capabilities, leading to the removal of VK and Max from Apple and Google app stores.