Source: Joe Maring / Android Central
What you need to know
- YouTube is said to be working on a TikTok rival called "Shorts."
- "Shorts" will apparently be available as a feature within the YouTube mobile app.
- It is expected to become available by the end of this year.
Chinese video-sharing app TikTok, which was released worldwide three years back, is among the most popular social networking apps currently, with more than 3 million downloads a day. Seeing the app's meteoric rise, Google had reportedly considered acquiring TikTok competitor Firework late last year. Now, a new report from The Information, YouTube is planning to release a rival to TikTok, called Shorts. Shorts will be available as a feature inside the YouTube app and include a feed of brief videos, similar to TikTok.
Users will be able to take advantage of YouTube's vast catalog of licensed music to find songs to use as soundtracks for their videos. The report claims YouTube Shorts is "the most serious effort yet by a Silicon Valley tech company to combat the rise of TikTok." Shorts is expected to be rolled out before the end of the year.
With Shorts, YouTube could be successful in making sure it doesn't lose too many viewers interested in short-form videos to TikTok. In 2018, YouTube did something similar with the Stories format, allowing creators to interact with their fans using "stories" similar to Instagram and Snapchat.
Even with its vast stable of content creators, however, YouTube may find it extremely difficult to actually give TikTok a run for its money.
YouTube for Android could soon let you change the default video quality setting
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Samsung's One UI 3.0 beta program is now open for the Galaxy Note 20 series
Samsung has announced that it is extending the One UI 3.0 (Android 11) beta program to the Galaxy Note 20 series in the U.S. You can now sign up for the beta program from the Samsung Members app on your phone.
The Galaxy S20 FE is the best Samsung phone you can buy
Samsung makes a lot of phones — from $1,300 flagships with insane 50x zoom cameras to $250 budget phones with massive batteries. These are the best Samsung phones you need to know about in 2020.
Tales From the Galaxy's Edge trailer wields The Force and a release date
Stories far and wide reveal The Force in this full-length Star Wars: Tales From the Galaxy's Edge trailer, coming next month for Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2.
Spice up your smartphone or tablet with the best icon packs for Android
Being able to customize your device is fantastic as it helps to make your device even more of "your own". With the power of Android, you can use third-party launchers to add custom icon themes and these are just some of our favorites.