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The latest news, analysis and opinion on Apps. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
TikTok, a short-video app, has more than 170 million American users. Its parent company is ByteDance, a Chinese tech company. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

At US Supreme Court, TikTok’s pleas to honour free speech met with scepticism

But observers split on whether a ‘dark day’ for 170 million American users looms or a preliminary injunction to delay the ruling is coming.

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Alibaba

Alibaba studio pulls top mobile game from Vivo’s app store

Huawei

Huawei’s Android rival scores major win as WeChat gets on board

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Alibaba

Meet Alibaba’s AI coder: an automated system that can build an app ‘in minutes’

AI coder forms part of Alibaba Cloud’s artificial intelligence programming tool called Tongyi Lingma.

Alibaba Cloud’s artificial intelligence coder can perform an automated set of tasks to complete development of an app “as fast as a few minutes”. Photo: Shutterstock
Wellness

3 top wellness trends to make 2025 a better year

In the advent of artificial intelligence, cutting-edge wellness technology and a growing awareness of holistic health practices, there are now more ways than ever to get in, and stay in, tip-top shape.

ByteDance

TikTok parent ByteDance denies its algorithms create filter bubbles

Douyin is motivated to break information cocoons because that helps retain users in the long run, executive says.

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United States

‘Shark Tank’ investor, ex-LA Dodgers owner make last-ditch effort to buy TikTok

Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary and billionaire Frank McCourt have joined forces to buy TikTok’s US operations before a nationwide ban takes effect.

Kevin O’Leary is part of a group that has been putting together a bid for TikTok’s US business. Photo: TNS
ByteDance

ByteDance’s latest export after TikTok: Chinese short dramas

The company is looking for its next big hit in short dramas, with eyes on Southeast Asia and English-speaking markets.

E-commerce

PDD’s billionaire investor Duan Yongping showers praise on Temu

In a speech at his alma mater Zhejiang University, Duan professes his admiration for PDD founder and fellow alumnus Colin Huang Zheng.

TikTok

TikTok expands e-commerce operation into Mexico amid potential US ban

TikTok Shop’s geographic expansion south of the United States shows it is undeterred by Washington’s ‘sell-or-ban’ law.

TikTok Shop enables various brands and online merchants to showcase and sell their products directly via popular short video app TikTok. Photo: Shutterstock
Wellness

Time to stop smoking? Study shows a smartwatch app could help

Smartwatch app detects movements that indicate smoking, sends vibration alert, a text offering moral support and tally of cigarettes smoked.

The app developed and tested by UK researchers for smartwatches sends a vibration alert and text message when the watch detects motions that indicate the wearer is smoking. Photo: University of Bristol
Vietnam

Asian Angle | Vietnam’s ‘Chubby Bear’ approach to TikTok reveals double standards

Vietnam’s TikTok strategy involves enforcing censorship while exploiting youth-centric trends to promote pro-leader narratives.

Artificial intelligence

China’s tech giants vow to fix algorithm issues amid crackdown

ByteDance’s Douyin, PDD’s Pinduoduo, and Xiaohongshu have promised to address issues related to the misuse of algorithms.

TikTok

TikTok knew its live-streams exploit children, Utah lawsuit claims

Accusations were made public on Friday, ahead of scheduled January 19 ban on TikTok in US unless China-based owner ByteDance sells the app.

A Utah lawsuit claims TikTok knew its livestreams exploit children. Photo: Reuters
Apple

Apple agrees to pay US$95m to settle Siri eavesdropping lawsuit

The class-action lawsuit accuses Apple of recording private conversations after Siri was unintentionally activated.

Apple recorded private conversations of users after they unintentionally activated Siri, according to a class-action lawsuit. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Trump’s TikTok request poses challenge to US Supreme Court, legal analysts say

In asking court to halt a law until after he takes office, some contend the US president-elect seeks action that oversteps its authority.

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Artificial intelligence

Baidu’s Robin Li predicts ‘exponential’ boom in AI apps in 2025

Baidu’s investments in AI are expected to generate returns this year, the CEO writes in a message to staff.

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Trending in China

Chinese ex-gymnast hit with new social media ban over sexy dance routines

Former sporting hero’s provocative live streaming sessions lead to fresh social media gag, dividing opinion on mainland social media.

Ex-China top gymnast Wu Liufang’s social media account is suspended again over her sexy live streaming sessions. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo/Douyin
Malaysia

Google and X miss Malaysia’s social media licence deadline; WeChat, TikTok comply

The Malaysian government implemented the licensing requirement to combat cybercrime, but Google and X have raised concerns about the regulations.

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Social media

China’s short video market may have peaked as user numbers fall for first time

The number of short video app users in China reached 1.05 billion at the end of June, about 3 million fewer than in December 2023.

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TikTok

Venezuela court fines TikTok US$10 million over viral challenge deaths

Authorities in Venezuela say three adolescents died from intoxication by chemical substances.

Venezuela’s President of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice Tania D’Amelio, centre, reads a statement imposing a fine on TikTok at the Supreme Court of Justice in Caracas, Venezuela on Monday. Photo: Reuters
E-commerce

Meituan ditches delivery penalty amid China’s algorithm crackdown

The shift is part of the changes to the company’s overarching algorithms that determine a series of operational procedures for its couriers.

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Meituan said it would incentivise food delivery riders for on-time deliveries. Photo: Shutterstock
US-China relations

TikTok pushes US Supreme Court to rule that ban is unconstitutional; Trump weighs in

Oral arguments before the high court are set for January 10, nine days before the divest-or-ban law is to go into effect.

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US-China relations

Donald Trump asks US Supreme Court to halt TikTok ban

President-elect cites recent election win in calling himself the ‘right constitutional actor to resolve the dispute through political means’.

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Hong Kong economy

Opinion | True Hong Kong service won’t be found in an order-it-yourself app

From QR codes to place an order in restaurants to self-service checkouts, cold tech is taking away the warmth of proper service.

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Lin Heung Lau, a 100-year-old resturant in Central, Hong Kong, has kept the traditions of handwritten wall menus and dim sum trolleys. Photo: Alexander Mak
TikTok ban

Trump’s TikTok love raises stakes in battle over app’s fate

Trump’s repeated support for TikTok sparks speculation about potential solutions to prevent the Chinese-owned app’s impending US ban.

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Congress passed legislation that would block TikTok from US app stores and web-hosting services unless Beijing-based ByteDance sells its stake by January 19. Photo: AFP
TikTok ban

Trump favours keeping TikTok in US after ‘billions of views’ during election

US president-elect offers strongest signals yet that he opposes a potential exit of TikTok from the US market.

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Artificial intelligence

Chinese-owned Character.ai rival vanishes from US App Store

Talkie, a popular AI companion app developed by Shanghai start-up MiniMax, has been removed from Apple’s store in the US.

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