Yandex rolls out major update to Telemost app
Even users without registered accounts can now join calls on the platform.
A surge of updates
Over the past several months, Yandex has released a series of major updates across its digital product portfolio. These updates have improved both service quality and usability. Most of the changes are linked to the integration of artificial intelligence technologies. However, the Russian technology group’s development strategy extends beyond AI alone.
Earlier this week, Yandex announced a major update to its Telemost application, a communications service that continues to expand its user base. In November, the number of Telemost users exceeded 8 million, up 17% compared with September.
Among the new features added to Telemost are call history and the ability to invite additional participants during an active session. The app can now be linked to a user’s phone contacts, making it possible to send invitation links to people who have never used Telemost before. Crucially, joining a call no longer requires creating an account or completing authorization – participants only need to open the meeting link.
A universal communication tool
“Updated Telemost is a universal communication tool. Chats, threads, conferences, and audio and video calls are all available in a single application. Telemost works equally well for personal and professional communication, whether one-on-one or in groups. The app has retained all familiar features, including unlimited call duration and support for large meetings – up to 40 participants, and up to 1,000 on business plans,” Yandex’s press service explained.
Telemost has also strengthened user security. Invitations to chats can now be shared via temporary links that remain active for 24 hours. If a participant raises concerns, they can be quickly blocked.
Capabilities for enterprise users
Corporate customers will retain the option to work within a secure internal network while gaining the ability to move freely between personal and work-related chats. They will also continue to have access to AI-driven features, including automatic transcription and the creation of concise summaries of video conferences.
The updated Telemost app is already available on iOS and Android. Desktop and web versions of the service are scheduled to receive the update in 2026.
Overall, Yandex continues to develop its products across multiple directions. With Telemost, the company is not only drawing users away from foreign video conferencing platforms, but also intensifying competition among domestic solutions. In practical terms, this benefits end users, who gain access to increasingly functional and versatile tools.
What else is new
Earlier this week, Yandex also unveiled an updated version of its proprietary browser with a built-in assistant, Alice AI. The neural network can now analyze the content of open pages more deeply and summarize specific fragments requested by users. For example, the assistant can extract a recipe from a video or locate a required section inside a PDF document.
Yandex Go, the company’s intelligent mobility hub, continues to evolve as well. AI plays an active role in route planning based on real-time traffic conditions, and the system can recommend the most suitable service for a given task.
In addition, Yandex recently launched its proprietary AI solution, Yandex AI, in search on the global domain yandex.com. According to the company, Yandex AI search is now available worldwide, whereas previously it was limited to CIS countries and selected regions.
As for Telemost, users are now awaiting the desktop version update, which is expected to be particularly important for business use cases. Another potential growth direction for the service is expansion beyond the Russian-speaking market. With proper localization, the app could gain traction in a number of other countries.
