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It is possible that TikTok has (sort of) returned for the time being; but, this does not prevent other social media platforms from attempting to capitalize on its growing business. According to a post made by the company on its mobile application, Bluesky is the most recent to provide a vertical video feature on mobile devices that is similar to TikTok and is named Trending Videos. This feature is now accessible through the explore tab.

It was only natural for us to join in on the video fun as well; Bluesky now offers individualized feeds for video! You have the option to bookmark these [on your home screen] or not, just like you would with any other feed. According to what the corporation wrote, "Bluesky is yours to customize."

By hitting the "Search" button on my Android phone, I was able to access the respective option. In that particular screen, the area labeled "Trending Videos (Beta)" was prominently displayed, and clicking the "View more" button brought up a number of short movies, the majority of which were imported from TikTok. When you swipe up, a series of fresh films similar to those found on TikTok appear; however, Bluesky did not disclose the algorithm that it employs to recommend these videos. If you are unable to see the function at first, Bluesky recommends that you simply restart the application.

In the same post, the company called out other developers that are working on alternatives to TikTok that are using the same AT Protocol that Bluesky is employing (Tik, Skylight, Bluescreen), the majority of which are still in the testing phase under closed conditions.

Nearly simultaneously, X launched its very own vertical video feature, with the intention of capitalizing on the fact that TikTok has been removed from app stores in the United States. "An immersive new home for videos is rolling out to users in the United States today," the platform stated in a post at the time of the announcement. Edits, an Instagram video editing tool that is supposed to compete with TikTok's CapCut, was also released within the past day or so.

Dark strike · Jan 20, 2025

The future of TikTok in the United States is still unknown.

Over the weekend, TikTok said goodbye to its users in the United States before coming back for an encore that did not have a definitive conclusion. However, it has recently been joined by a few imitations, one of which being X (which was originally known as Twitter). X made the announcement late on Sunday night, in the normal cringy manner of its owner, Elon Musk (see here), that its customers in the United States now have a tab that is specifically designated for vertical films.

A play button icon can be found in the bottom bar of the application, which is where the new video tab can be found. In the past, users were had to click on a video and then scroll up or down in order to view other content; this eliminates the need for users to select a video to begin with. This new venture is an addition to X's already existing video push, which includes its TV app, which is not really significant.

A new vertical videos feed was announced by Bluesky on Sunday, and the company is also hoping to capitalize on the uncertainty that TikTok is experiencing. We couldn't resist the urge to get in on the video activity as well; Bluesky now offers individualized feeds for video! At the same time as with any other feed, you have the option to pin these or not. The business stated in a statement that "Bluesky is yours to customize whatever you want." Users are able to locate videos that are currently trending on the Explore page and pin the feed.

Dark strike · Jan 20, 2025

An app restriction would be lifted, according to a promise made by the incoming president, Donald Trump.

The strongest signal that China has yet provided that it is willing to reach a deal that will keep TikTok operational in the United States is that it has supplied this indication. The nation had earlier asserted that it would prevent any forced sale of the application, but it has since changed its position after President-elect Donald Trump made it clear that he would be willing to consider a 50-50 shared ownership of TikTok between the interests of the United States and China.

"When it comes to actions such as the operation and acquisition of businesses, we believe that they should be independently decided by companies in accordance with market principles," Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated during a news conference. In the event that it involves Chinese enterprises, it is imperative that China's rules and regulations be adhered to.

"TikTok has played a positive role in boosting US employment and consumption," Mao said, and he expressed the hope that "the United States will earnestly listen to the voice of reason and provide an open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for market entities from all countries." Mao's statement was made in reference to the intention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A law that prohibited the use of TikTok in the United States went into effect on Sunday. Towards the end of Saturday, the video-sharing app became unavailable. Users were unable to download it from app stores, and even customers from other countries who had a TikTok account based in the United States were unable to access it.

After Trump made a commitment to sign an executive order on Monday, following his inauguration, service was restored a few hours later. The executive order was intended to "extend the period of time before the law's prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security." Furthermore, the order will establish that there will be no accountability for any entity that assisted in preventing TikTok from going dark prior to the announcement of my order.

As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Zhang Yiming, the founder of TikTok and ByteDance, has a vital contact that has the potential to clear the path for Elon Musk to acquire at least a portion of TikTok's ownership in the United States. Reportedly, he had a conversation with the Trump confidant in the latter half of 2024, when it appeared that the law will be implemented with more probability. Zhang does not currently hold an executive position at ByteDance, despite the fact that he is in possession of voting rights that allow him to exercise majority control over the parent business of TikTok.