TikTok recently announced that it will be discontinuing its TikTok Now feature, which was its attempt to replicate the success of the viral sensation BeReal. According to screenshots shared by users, parent company ByteDance is updating the TikTok experience and discontinuing TikTok Now. This feature had a similar concept to BeReal, as it required users to take front and rear photos simultaneously. However, TikTok Now also allowed users to take 10-second TikTok-like videos, setting it apart from BeReal. Other social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram have also experimented with their own BeReal-inspired features.
While TikTok Now was available as part of the main TikTok app in the US, it was also offered as a separate standalone app in other regions. The message sent to TikTok users in the US indicated that the feature was being removed from the main app, but there is no information about the fate of the separate TikTok Now app.
In contrast, BeReal may be experiencing a decline in interest. A report from The New York Times in April suggested that BeReal was struggling to maintain its user base. However, BeReal refuted the analytics report and claimed to still have 20 million daily active users.
In other news, here are the top stories you might have missed:
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The Insta360 Go 3, dubbed as the GoPro with a flip screen, has recently been released. It features a larger detachable body known as the “Action Pod,” which resembles a conventional action cam. The Action Pod body also serves as a 2.2-inch flip touchscreen. The camera itself has been upgraded with a higher video resolution of 2.7k and an additional microphone for enhanced audio quality. The Insta360 Go 3 is available for purchase through the official online store or Amazon, with prices starting at $379.99 for the 32GB model.
Razer, a prominent gaming hardware manufacturer, has entered the in-ear monitors (IEMs) market with its first product, the Moray. While it may not compete with higher-end IEMs from established brands, the Moray focuses on comfort with its ergonomic design and braided cables. It also includes three different ear tip varieties to optimize fit and ensure hours of comfortable use.
Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) is gaining more support in the electric vehicle charging industry. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International, a leading standards body, is working to support the NACS plug, making it easier for manufacturers to integrate NACS connectors into their vehicles and charging stations. This standardization will provide certainty, expanded choice, reliability, and convenience to manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers.
Lastly, SoftBank, a major tech investor and Japanese phone carrier, led a social media app called IRL to unicorn status with a valuation of $1.17 billion. However, it was revealed that the app had fabricated its user numbers, with 95 percent of its claimed 20 million user base being fake. The SEC initiated an investigation into whether IRL misled investors. As a result, IRL is shutting down, and its inflated user base of 19 million bots will disappear. The company plans to return capital to shareholders, though the exact amount remaining in its coffers is unknown.
In conclusion, TikTok is discontinuing its TikTok Now feature, BeReal may be experiencing a decline in popularity, and various news stories cover a range of topics including Lordstown Motors, Apple, and the best products and deals of 2023. Additionally, there are updates on the latest products in the market, such as the Insta360 Go 3 and Razer’s Moray. Finally, there is news about Tesla’s NACS gaining support and the downfall of the social media app IRL.