ByteDance plans Google-like office tools as virus spikes demand

ByteDance Inc became the world’s most valuable startup on the strength of its viral consumer apps like TikTok and news aggregator Toutiao, but in April last year it quietly released a remote-work app called Lark (Feishu in China) that combined elements of Slack, Dropbox, Google Docs and Skype. — Reuters

The maker of TikTok is preparing to roll out a Google-like suite of office collaboration tools as soon as this month, according to people familiar with the plans, as it works to expand beyond short video sharing.

ByteDance Inc became the world’s most valuable startup on the strength of its viral consumer apps like TikTok and news aggregator Toutiao, but in April last year it quietly released a remote-work app called Lark (Feishu in China) that combined elements of Slack, Dropbox, Google Docs and Skype. Now the company is preparing an overhaul of the app with a focus on cloud-based file management and document and spreadsheet editing à la Google’s G Suite. The rollout will begin in China, the people said, asking not to be named because the matter is private. A ByteDance representative declined to comment.