TikTok brings its app to recent LG smart TVs

TikTok wants to reach a broader market and tap into higher advertising rates, at least that's what was reported before. So, it isn't surprising that the company is bringing its app to more TVs. This time, LG's 2020 and 2021 smart TVs running on webOS 5.0 and webOS 6.0 are getting the app now, while its 2019 models are expected to get it in the "coming months."

The app is launching in the UK, France, and Germany, where TikTok's already brought its app to Samsung TVs, Android TV, and Fire TV. We don't know how well received the app will be, given it's a portrait-oriented mobile app, for starters. But it's coming, whether you like it or not. Are you waiting for it to make its way here?

Source: The Verge

TikTok and Shopify bring e-commerce into app, pilot test in Canada kicks off soon

Kylie Jenner's Kylie Cosmetics brand is among the early adopters of the new service (Source: TikTok x Shopify)

After announcing their partnership in October, TikTok and Shopify are ready to test its TikTok Shopping feature with select Shopify merchants. The pilot has kicked off in the US and UK, with Canadian merchants getting access to the feature in the coming weeks. 

Shopify merchants with a TikTok For Business account will soon get the option to add a Shopping tab on their profiles and sync their product catalogs to have a mini-storefront on the platform. They will also get the option to tag products in TikTok videos, which will link out to their storefront for checkout.

Source: TechCrunch

TikTok sets notifications curfew for teens past 9 or 10 PM

Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

Depending on how young they are, teens on TikTok will not get notifications past a specific time at night. Those between the ages of 13 and 15 won't get push notifications after 9 PM, while those who are 16 or 17 will get their notifications disabled at 10 PM. 

The company's global minor-safety policy lead Tracy Elizabeth said, "Our priority is to ensure teens on TikTok have a safe and age-appropriate experience as they create and share on our platform."

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TikTok sells its AI tech to other companies

Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

TikTok's parent company ByteDance quietly launched its BytePlus division, which is in charge of selling TikTok's technology, including its recommendation algorithm, computer vision tech, automated translations, real-time effects and more. The division is based in Singapore, but it has a presence in Hong Kong and London. BytePlus is also looking to register trademarks in the US.

Companies like Indonesian online shopping company Chilibeli, American fashion app Goat, and travel site WeGo have bought access to TikTok's tech. It isn't a surprising move as it helps ByteDance compete with the likes of Amazon and Microsoft to offer behind-the-scenes tools to businesses and open a new revenue source for the company.

Source: Engadget