YouTube is reportedly developing a standalone application with social media features similar to those offered by Instagram and TikTok, in a move that could strengthen its position in the short-video segment and expand the ways users interact on the platform.
According to information published by specialist outlet Android Authority, the project carries the internal designation 'Tamba', with the first indications of its existence uncovered within the Android version of the YouTube application. Among the elements identified are camera access, profile creation, a follower system, private messaging, and group conversations.
Tamba is also expected to support the viewing of Shorts — YouTube's existing short-form video format. Should these features be introduced, they would bring the YouTube experience closer to that offered by Instagram and TikTok, both of which combine video sharing with communication and social interaction tools.
Google has not yet made any official announcement regarding the application, meaning it remains unconfirmed whether Tamba will be publicly launched or whether it represents an experimental project still in development.
According to the portal Notícias ao Minuto, this reported move comes amid intensifying competition among digital platforms for user time and attention, particularly in the video market. Instagram recently announced plans to allow the publication of videos of up to 90 minutes in length, extending its push into longer-form content.
The strategy of Meta, Instagram's parent company, also includes initiatives to attract content creators who currently publish on YouTube. Instagram is reported to have offered deals ranging from US$50,000 to US$500,000 to select creators, as an incentive to publish longer videos on the platform. The agreements are said not to require exclusivity. Meta has not disclosed the details, which it classifies as confidential.
The eventual launch of Tamba could represent another step in the escalating contest among YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for dominance in the digital video space.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=558426
