TikTok is enhancing the experience of watching popular short videos on desktop. The company has announced a new modular layout for its web app, which features a full-screen LIVE video feed and a unique floating player optimized for desktop users.
On the left side of the screen, users will find a persistent panel that includes essential controls such as For You, Explore, Messages, account settings, and your live options, among others.
In contrast to mobile, the desktop client organizes features that typically require a swipe or tap on a mobile device into a neatly arranged Home Screen. Engagement tools like likes, comments, and sharing options are conveniently located on the right side of the video display.
To enhance the desktop experience, TikTok will allow users to create custom categories for saving videos, enabling easy revisiting whenever desired. This feature is reminiscent of Instagram’s collections, which can be both personal or shared with friends.
Content creators will benefit from the ability to initiate live broadcasts in both landscape and portrait modes. Mobile viewers can conveniently rotate their devices to match the orientation of the broadcast.
Drawing inspiration from the picture-in-picture feature seen in web browsers, TikTok’s floating media player keeps the platform accessible while users multitask, allowing them to engage with content without interruption. Currently, this floating feature is exclusive to the Chrome browser, leaving uncertainty about its availability on other browsers that use the Chromium engine, such as Microsoft Edge.
Recently, TikTok made its return to both Google Play and Apple’s App Store in the U.S. after a brief hiatus. However, the possibility of a ban still looms over the platform following a temporary executive order that extended the deadline for potential restrictions.
