City
Epaper

Google may acquire TikTok rival Firework: Report

By IANS | Updated: October 5, 2019 16:10 IST

Google is reportedly interested in purchasing US-based social video app Firework that lets users share short videos like Chinese player TikTok.

Open in App

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Chinese micro-blogging platform Weibo had also shown interest in acquiring Firework but "talks with Google are further along".

Based in Redwood City, California, Firework that entered India last month was valued at more than $100 million in a fundraising round earlier this year. TikTok's parent, Beijing-based ByteDance, is valued around $75 billion.

irework is part of a suite of apps created by Loop Now Technologies, a start-up that focuses on next-generation consumer mobile applications.

Similar to Tiktok that allows users to post 15-seconed short videos, Firework allows users to create 30-second videos and with "Reveal", its patent pending technology, it will allow creators to take both horizontal and vertical video in one shot from their mobile device.

The app is currently available on both iOS and Android smartphones with over a million registered users.

Firework has appointed Sunil Nair as CEO and MD for its India operations.

"My vision for Firework in India is to become more relevant and give our users every opportunity to stay meaningful and seamlessly experience a new view from their lens," Nair said in a statement.

In November last year, Facebook also quietly released a stand-alone app called "Lasso" to compete with TikTok.

On Lasso, which is currently available in the US, users can record themselves dancing and lip-syncing to music, similar to what they can do on TikTok.

In addition, Facebook recently roped in former Google employee Jason Toff for a key portfolio and the speculation is rife about the social networking giant preparing the global launch of its short video-sharing app.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: indiagoogle
Open in App

Related Stories

TechnologyIPL 2026 Google Doodle: Search Engine Giant Rolls Out Neon-Themed Doodle to Celebrate Start of Indian Premier League

InternationalIranian President Calls for Constructive Role of Brics to Halt West Asia Conflict During Talks With PM Modi

LifestyleEid 2026 Date: When Will Saudi Arabia, UAE and India Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr?

MaharashtraMaharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Unfurls 200-Foot National Flag at Nagpur’s Kasturchand Park

NationalAhmedabad Traffic Update for India vs New Zealand T20 World Cup Final: Check Road Closures and Alternate Routes Near Narendra Modi Stadium

टेकमेनिया Realted Stories

TechnologyFuel supplies adequate, no need to panic: IOCL

TechnologyGovt working to minimise supply chain impact, pharma sector unaffected: Commerce Secretary

TechnologyNITI Aayog launches ATL Sarthi, Mentor India Academy to deepen school‑level innovation

Technology21 states carrying out press briefs to counter misinformation around LPG: Centre

TechnologySAIL provides 4,000 tonnes of steel for 'INS Taragiri' warship