TikTok arrives on Android TV, but no one’s sure why

TikTok arrives on Android Boob tube, simply no one'southward sure why

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

TikTok is getting an Android TV app, despite the fact that it'southward non exactly clear why the mobile video sensation needs a home on Television receiver sets. Yep, in the shadow of Quibi's brusk run on TVs before it died off completely, someone somewhere decided it was time to bring another vertical video service to the Idiot box.

That being said, people honey TikTok. Nobody loved Quibi.

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The only problem is that TikTok apparently isn't everywhere yet. It'due south unclear every bit to whether the app is intentionally beingness rolled out exterior of the United states of america. Wired UK'southward reporting suggests that the international divide is intentional, noting that the app was coming to "smart TVs in French republic, Frg and the Great britain."

9to5Google is having the aforementioned problem we are — unable to download it on the Chromecast with Google Tv — while Android Police was able to download it — only just in the U.K.

TikTok hasn't announced when the Android TV version will be available around the world, but if this is just a day-one botch, we wouldn't exist surprised. The Disney Plus app, if y'all remember, had some serious mean solar day ane problems.

And while TikTok has a large audience, the service looks weird in screens published by 9to5Google. If this is what it truly looks like, it seems like the Android TV version should have spent more time in the evolution cycle.

TikTok on Android TV - wasted space — (Image credit: 9to5Google)

The app is meant to be navigated with swipe-based gestures, and so a remote seems like a poor method of moving from clip to clip. Besides, all the wasted infinite screams for on-screen navigation buttons.

This volition be the second TikTok app on a Idiot box platform, coming virtually half a year after the service got an Amazon Fire TV app. And that app — More on TikTok — didn't exactly take hold of fire.

We'll stay tuned to meet if TikTok takes off on Android Television.

Henry is a senior editor at Tom'southward Guide roofing streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past 6-plus years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He'south besides covered the wild earth of professional person wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.