The popular video recording app, TikTok is coming to television. Developer, ByteDance has launched a new ‘More on TikTok’ app on Amazon Fire TV. Now users in the United States will be able to view all public videos on the app on big screens via Amazon devices. Currently, ‘More on TikTok’ has no in-app advertisements and can be Fire TV subscribers can download the app for free with no
The new ‘More on TikTok’ app will serve as a library where users will be able to search for and view videos, interviews of TikTok stars, and creators. The description of the app reads:
“More on TikTok’ brings the real, fun and bold world of TikTok — the leading destination for short-form mobile video — directly to your living room.”
More on TikTok App
This is a view-only service that is designed with the intention to test the viewing of mobile content on television screens. Therefore, users will not have to form accounts or set up log-in passwords. As a TikTok library, the app will also have two sections to get to know popular creators and stars on the platform, and it is also a great way for featured creators and stars to gain more popularity.
- ‘In the Studio’ section houses interviews with stars on the video recording platform.
- ‘This is TikTok’ section is dedicated to highlighting other creators on the platform.
Due to staying at home precautionary orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, viewing on the big screen has increased considerably in the United States. The same report by The New York Times revealed that the number of daily active users on TikTok was increasing at an impressive.
Amazon also reported that social Fire TV apps like Peloton, MasterClass, Facebook Watch, and others have seen an increase in the past six months since the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country. Head of Global Marketing of TikTok, Nick Tran told The Verge that :
“People are looking for community right now and TikTok is connecting users to content and people that resonate and are meaningful to them. We’ve been thinking through what the adoption of streaming devices like Fire TV means for connecting with our users and how we can offer them more dynamic experiences, and we feel bringing our content to the TV to some extent is a natural next step.”
However, More on TikTok app will not be getting a few mobile app-only features. For example, the virtual concert by The Weeknd will not be streamed on the new app on Fire TV.
TikTok’s Future in the US
Unfortunately, in the amidst political tension between the United States and China increase, the TikTok app has taken a hit. Previously, President of the United States, Donald Trump has set September 15 as the deadline for acquisition of the app by a US company before banning it in the country. Now, he has also signed an executive order to block all transactions with ByteDance, TikTok developer. This order has a 45 days deadline and it reads:
“The spread [of apps controlled by the Chinese government] continues to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.The United States must take aggressive action against the owners of TikTok to protect our national security.”
It is expected that Microsoft and ByteDance will finalize an acquisition deal soon and to make matters worse for the TikTok team, other social networking companies are releasing its clones. Recently, Instagram Inc. launched a new Reels feature on the app which is a clone of TikTok. It was also reported that Facebook was offering money to TikTok creators to join Reels. Snapchat, as well, is testing a video recording feature with songs on the app.
Personally, we do not agree with the President’s decision to take out political rivalry on social networking app which has become a source of income for thousands of American creators and a source of entertainment of millions. Thus, we believe that it is a good move by ByteDance to branch out like with the More on TikTok app.
What are your thoughts on this issue and the new app, let us know in the comments section.
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