TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has discreetly unveiled a new social media app called “Whee,” which bears a striking resemblance to Instagram but with a unique twist – it’s designed exclusively for sharing photos and updates with friends.
This move comes shortly after ByteDance introduced TikTok Notes, another app mirroring Instagram’s features for photo and text sharing.
Whee: The Friends-Only Instagram Alternative
Whee, first spotted by tech enthusiast Artem Russakovskii, is currently available for Android users in select countries, including Kenya. The app’s user interface is strikingly similar to Instagram, featuring three tabs for the camera, feed, and messages, along with a notification button at the top.
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However, Whee sets itself apart by emphasizing a “friends-only” approach to content sharing. Unlike Instagram, where public accounts allow anyone to view your posts, Whee is designed specifically for sharing photos and updates with your inner circle.
The app’s screenshots reinforce this concept with messages like “Share with friends only,” “Made for friends,” and “Like and comment only with friends.”
Integrating with TikTok and Raising Questions
Interestingly, Whee is tied to the TikTok app, requiring users to have a TikTok account to create a Whee profile. This integration mirrors Instagram’s strategy with its Threads app. Additionally, the app offers the option to import your TikTok profile during the sign-up process.
While the friends-only approach is intriguing, the decision to launch Whee as a separate app raises questions, especially since ByteDance recently introduced TikTok Notes, another Instagram-like app for photo and text sharing.
It remains unclear why this functionality couldn’t be integrated into the Notes app, similar to how Instagram handles private and public accounts.
Soft Launch and Future Availability
ByteDance has not provided any official information about Whee’s global availability or future plans. This launch appears to be a soft rollout, and there’s a possibility that ByteDance may even withdraw the app before it reaches a broader audience.
However, for those keen to explore Whee, it can be downloaded from the Google Play Store in supported regions.
As social media platforms continue to evolve and compete for user engagement, ByteDance’s move with Whee highlights the ongoing battle for innovation and differentiation in the highly competitive social media landscape.
