‘TikTok Photos’ may arrive soon
You probably know the cliche self-help advice of “expanding your horizons” and “getting out of your comfort zone.” Believe it or not, tech companies ascribe to these mantras, too, as they expand from their niches to other technologies. For example, Tesla started selling electric cars, but it eventually made other devices, such as solar panel roofs.
TikTok may follow a similar trend, according to recent online information from code sleuth AssembleDeBug. Also known as Matt Navarra, he believes the latest TikTok APK contains clues to a new app called TikTok Photos. Soon, the Chinese-owned program may deploy an Instagram rival!
What is the new app?
'TikTok Photos' surfaces as an app exclusively for sharing photos https://t.co/tWTcAdjBRo by @nexusben
— 9to5Google (@9to5Google) March 11, 2024
Android Police says AssembleDebug, a.k.a. Mark Navarra, is known for monitoring Google apps for hidden flags that tip upcoming features. Also, he was the Director of Social Media for Amsterdam-based software development company TNW.
He posted on the TheSpAndroid blog that he decompiled the TikTok APK while waiting for Google app updates. APKs contain important assets for an app, serving as an installer.
Navarra used the latest version, 33.8.4, where he found a text string that allegedly shares clues about an upcoming app:
<string name=”k0m”>Get TikTok Photos</string>
<string name=”k0n”>Share this post to TikTok Photos</string>
<string name=”k0o”>Share</string>
<string name=”k0p”>Your post has been shared to TikTok Photos</string>
<string name=”k0q”>TikTok Photos</string>
<string name=”k0r”>On TikTok Photos</string>
<string name=”k0s”>Share to TikTok Photos</string>
<string name=”k0u”>Reach other like-minded people who enjoy photo posts.</string>
READ: Instagram detects AI-generated content
Reading the text between each line teases its features. For example, it will let you “Reach other like-minded people who enjoy photo posts.” He also found code that allegedly has a more specific description of the app.
That means the app may become available soon, and it will likely have similar features to Instagram.
