Feed aggregator

Instagram has announced Edits, a free video editing app that sounds a lot like CapCut. 

SEE ALSO: TikTok ban: Marvel Snap and 5 other apps also banned

In a video posted to Threads on Sunday, Instagram head Adam Mosseri described Edits as a "full suite of creative tools," and briefly ran through its planned features.

Credit: Instagram

"There will be a dedicated tab for inspiration, another to keep track of any early ideas you might have, a much higher quality camera which I used to record this video, all the editing tools you’d expect, the ability to share drafts with friends and other creators, and, if you decide to share your videos on Instagram, powerful insights on how those videos do," Mosseri wrote.

Though Edits' page in the iOS App Store states that it is expected on Mar. 13, Mosseri said that we can expect it to arrive in February. Pre-orders are currently available in the iOS App Store, and are coming to Android "soon." However, Mosseri cautioned that the first version of the app will be incomplete, and asked for users' patience.

According to the iOS App Store listing, Edits will enable users to film videos up to 10 minutes long, adjusting settings such as resolution and framerate. Editing tools will include generated captions, video filters and voice effects, audio enhancing to remove background noise, and the ability to "bring images to life with AI animation." There will also be a live insights dashboard enabling you to track how your Instagram reels are performing.

View on Threads

Users were quick to note the timing of Mosseri's announcement, with Edits apparently aiming to rival ByteDance's popular video editing app CapCut. CapCut was pulled from U.S. app stores this weekend as a result of the country's ban on "foreign adversary controlled applications" — a measure which specifically targeted TikTok by name, but has also impacted other apps such as Marvel Snap.

Though he initially didn't refer to TikTok or CapCut by name, Mosseri still appeared to make vague reference to the ban, stating that "there's a lot going on in the world right now," and that this tool is "for those of you who make videos for not just Instagram, but for [other] platforms out there."

Yet even without the ban, Edits' features may tempt creators. While CapCut also has generated captions and the ability to reduce noise, both previously free features now require a paid subscription.

Credit: Instagram

In response to the comparisons with CapCut, Mosseri stated that he believes Edits will "end up pretty different," claiming that it will have a wider range of creative tools and "probably a smaller addressable audience."

"Think a place to track all your ideas instead of templates," said Mosseri, noting that Edits has been in development for months. "Think AI video editing tools on a per clip or per video basis. Think new insights on why your videos are succeeding or struggling."

TL;DR: For only £28.59 (reg. £187.21), you can grab a lifetime device license for Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 to start 2025 right.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows £28.59
£187.21 Save £158.62 Get Deal

Ready to make 2025 your most productive year yet? Start strong with Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows, now available for just £28.59 (reg. £187.21). This no-nonsense version of Microsoft Office is the ideal solution for professionals, small business owners, and budget-conscious freelancers who want premium productivity tools without spending a fortune.

If you don’t need the latest cloud-based features, Office 2019 is your ideal companion. It offers powerful tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more — all with features that help you work smarter. With advanced inking and editing capabilities, new data analysis tools in Excel, and dynamic presentation options in PowerPoint, Office 2019 provides many of the tools needed to streamline your tasks.

Unlike Office 365, this version is a one-time purchase. No subscriptions, no surprise renewal fees—just a lifetime license that lets you focus on your work. And one of the best features is that offline functionality allows you to work anytime, anywhere, even without an internet connection.

Although Office 2019 isn’t the newest version, it still delivers excellent value. Whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows Server 2019, it’s fully compatible and ready to meet your needs. If you’re looking for a reliable, affordable productivity suite to boost your efficiency, you've come to the right place.

Why wait? With instant delivery, you’ll receive your license key and download link as soon as you complete your purchase so you can dive into your work right away. Plus, with free customer support, help is always just a click away.

Get Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for just £28.59 (reg. £187.21) for a limited time.

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows - £28.59 | Get It Here

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Through 31 January, a lifetime subscription to AdGuard's Family Plan is on sale for £32.69 (reg. £138.97).

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription £32.69
£138.97 Save £106.28 Get Deal

Ensuring online safety has never been more important — especially when it comes to protecting our families. As children spend more time online for both education and entertainment, the need for a reliable solution to safeguard them from the pitfalls of the web has become paramount.

AdGuard is a powerful tool designed to provide peace of mind for parents while offering a seamless browsing experience for the entire family. A lifetime subscription to the AdGuard Family Plan covers up to nine devices and is on sale for just £32.69 (reg. £138.97). That's 76% off.

With its advanced ad-blocking module, AdGuard eliminates the constant barrage of annoying banners, intrusive pop-ups, and disruptive video ads that clutter your browsing experience. But AdGuard goes beyond just blocking ads; it also shields your family from harmful malware and phishing websites, acting as a fortress for your digital life.

For parents, AdGuard’s parental control feature is a game-changer. It allows you to restrict access to inappropriate and adult content, so your children can explore the internet in a safe and secure environment. Whether they are doing schoolwork or watching videos, you can rest easier knowing that they are more protected from the dangers lurking online.

It's designed to work across all your devices, from smartphones to tablets, covering both Android and iOS operating systems. And this lifetime subscription includes continuous updates and new features.

Jump on this chance to protect yourself online for life with the AdGuard Family Plan for just £32.69 (reg. £138.97) through 31 January 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT. No coupon is needed for this deal.

AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription - £32.69 | See Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.

China’s internet companies and their hard-working, resourceful professionals make world-class products, in spite of censorship and malign neglect by Beijing.

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to 2TB of secure, easy-to-use cloud storage with FileJump for just £61.29 (reg. £381.78).

Opens in a new window Credit: FileJump FileJump 2TB Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription £61.29 at the Mashable Shop
£381.78 Save £320.49 Get Deal

Looking to kick off the new year more organised? Start by tackling your digital clutter with FileJump’s 2TB Lifetime Cloud Storage. For just £61.29, you can back up your files, free up your devices, and ensure your important documents, photos, and videos are always accessible and secure.

FileJump is the ultimate "Goldilocks" of cloud storage—striking the perfect balance between affordability and premium features. Unlike other solutions that lock you into monthly subscriptions, FileJump’s lifetime plan offers peace of mind with a one-time payment. Plus, its intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes organising files user friendly.

Need to share large files? FileJump lets you send links or provide access to team members, making collaboration seamless. And with built-in preview support for images, videos, and even Excel spreadsheets, you can quickly view your files without downloading them first.

Anyone worried about keeping their most important files off in a cloud somewhere can rest assured that FileJump takes security seriously. Your files are protected with AES encryption, ensuring sensitive data stays safe.

FileJump’s 2TB of storage gives you plenty of space to back up your life — from work projects to cherished memories — and access them anytime, anywhere. With support for large files up to 15GB, it’s perfect for creative professionals, families, and anyone juggling multiple devices.

This new year, set yourself up for success by getting organised. FileJump’s lifetime plan ensures you’ll never have to worry about running out of space or paying recurring fees. And if you still need a last-minute gift, this digital subscription doesn't require shipping time. 

Get lifetime access to 2TB of secure cloud storage with FileJump for just £61.29 (reg. £381.78).

FileJump 2TB Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription - £61.29 (reg. £381.78) | Get It Here

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Every Monday night, you can stream NHL games for free on Prime Video. Next, watch the Tampa Bay Lightning play the Toronto Maple Leafs without spending anything.

The Lightning, in the Atlantic Division, are having an average season. On the other hand, the Maple Leafs have been atop the same division this season. The Maple Leafs have a higher chance of taking the win, but the game could go either way.

If you want to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs for free from anywhere in the world, here is all of the information you need.

When is Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs?

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET on Jan 20. This fixture will be played at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

How to watch Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs for free

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs is available to live stream on Prime Video in Canada, but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this game. Fans in Canada can watch Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (plus more Monday Night Hockey fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to watch the NHL for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in Canada

5. Watch Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the NHL without actually spending anything. This is obviously only a short-term solution, but this gives you enough time to watch select NHL fixtures before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free live streams from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the NHL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NHL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, saving you 49% on list price. This deal includes a bonus of three months of coverage, a year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for January 20 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Accepting or managing duties

• Green: Sharp turns or edges

• Blue: Items associated with famous cartoon sailor

• Purple: Common phrases involving "sheet"

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Take On, As A Responsibility

• Green: Corners

• Blue: Associated with Popeye

• Purple: ___Sheet

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #589 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Take On, As A Responsibility: ASSUME, BEAR, HANDLE, SHOULDER

• Corners: ANGLE, BEND, CROOK, ELBOW

• Associated with Popeye: ANCHOR, FOREARM, PIPE, SPINACH

• ___Sheet: BALANCE, CHEAT, COOKIE, FITTED

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 20

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for January 20 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for January 20, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A Fast-swimming cephalopod.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SQUID.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 20

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Negative pattern

• Green: Terms in a water sport

• Blue: Colleges near the Big Apple

• Purple: Sounds like they play basketball

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Downturn

• Green: Surfing terms

• Blue: New York colleges

• Purple: Homophones of NBA player names

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #119 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Downturn - DECLINE, PLUNGE, SKID, SLUMP

• Surfing terms - BARREL, CREST, SWELL, WAVE

• New York colleges - COLGATE, COLUMBIA, ST. JOHN'S, SYRACUSE

• Homophones of NBA player names - BARNS, CONNECT, HEART, HERO

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 20 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 20 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Curiouser and curiouser!

These words are characters and an activity that Alice met.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The theme is a phrase from Alice in Wonderland, where all of these words fit.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Wonderland.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for January 20

• Hatter

• Rabbit

• Caterpillar

• Croquet

• Dormouse

• Wonderland

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

The app has repeatedly name checked the president-elect in pop-up messages and statements, as it navigates a ban in the United States unless it is sold to a non-Chinese owner.

No one was injured. The building, which includes a district office of a Wisconsin congressman who has been a critic of TikTok, sustained moderate damage in the fire on Sunday.

Instagram on Sunday rolled out Edits, a video-editing product that appeared similar to CapCut, which is owned by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance.

One day before his inauguration, president-elect Donald Trump pledged to issue a day one executive order intended to save TikTok, despite being a main proponent of a ban during his first term.

Posting to Truth Social on Jan. 19, Trump wrote that he was looking to “extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect” and foster a "deal to protect our national security," suggesting that he intends to broker a joint venture that would result in an American company taking 50 percent ownership. He called on companies to "not let TikTok go dark" and said he could "confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order."

SEE ALSO: The bros’ new clothes: How Big Tech lurched to the right

TikTok quickly responded, saying it was working to reinstate service following Trump's statements. The app was up and running for existing users shortly after, although it still remains off U.S. app stores. "We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive," wrote the platform on their official policy account on X.

Despite Trump only promising to work on saving the app, and not yet bestowed with executive power, a new pop-up notification on the platform reads:

Welcome back!
Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump's efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!
You can continue to create, share, and discover all the things you love on TikTok.

Credit: Screenshot / TikTok

In a reversal from his previous stance and executive orders during his first presidential term, Trump has turned in favor of the China-owned company over the last year. Last month, the president-elect sent an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court arguing he is uniquely positioned to save TikTok and protect the country's national security objectives, asking the court to grant a stay on the ban. The court later upheld the ban.

Trump and tech's biggest names have been courting each other's favor for months, especially following Trump's campaign victory. On Jan. 17, TikTok CEO Shou Chew posted a public message to users in which he thanked Trump for his efforts to reinstate the app. "This is a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship," said Chew. "We are grateful and pleased to have the support of a president who truly understands our platform — one who has used TikTok to express his own thoughts and perspectives, connecting with the world and generating more than 60 billion views of his content in the process."

Not long after the app went dark, TikTok altered an in-app pop up message alerting users to the ban. The original message read:

We regret that a U.S. law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable.
We're working to restore our service in the U.S. as soon as possible, and we appreciate your support. Please stay tuned.

The revised notification read:

A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now.
We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!

The pop-up was then removed.

It's not just TikTok, either. Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, and Tesla/ X owner Elon Musk, who is set to score an advisory position under the new administration, have also publicly praised Trump and his policy positions, particularly surrounding his controversial stances on content moderation and free speech. Meta recently overhauled its moderation and DEI policies in the name of a more "free speech" supportive platform, abolishing its diversity mandates and loosening its hate speech policies to include previously banned forms of content. And OpenAI's Sam Altman has defended his decision to donate millions in personal contributions to Trump's inaugural fund, in response to a letter from U.S. Senators hinting at possible corruption.

Many of Big Tech's inner circle, including Chew, are expected to appear at the inaugural swearing-in ceremony on Monday.

UPDATE: Jan. 19, 2025, 1:58 p.m. EST This piece was updated to include a new in-app notification added shortly after TikTok reinstated service.

The popular video app went dark in the United States late Saturday and then came back around noon on Sunday, even as a law banning it took effect.

In the evening hours of Jan. 18, American users somberly checking TikTok one last time before the app's ban in the U.S. went into effect found that their access had already been revoked.

TikTok's parent company pulled access to the popular video sharing app less than two hours before it was expected to go dark. The app's 170 million active users in the U.S. now instead see an eyebrow-raising pop-up extolling the possibility of president-elect Donald Trump saving the app. Despite the surprising timing of TikTok's shut down, it followed months of legislative and legal battles unfolding right up until the day the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," was set to go into effect. What many hadn't digested, however, was how the U.S. law, which targets any "foreign adversary controlled application," would lead to other popular apps getting yanked, too.

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok and the single specified company in the bill, removed its apps and associated platforms immediately before the U.S. law went into effect — a glimpse of the true scope of the China-owned company's influence in U.S. users' digital diets. Other foreign-controlled apps, or those affiliated with companies deemed foreign adversaries, could surely follow.

Here are the major apps no longer available in the U.S. due to the ban, as of Jan. 19:

SEE ALSO: When will TikTok come back? Americans turn to VPNs with mixed results TikTok Studio, TikTok Shop Seller

In addition to the main platform, ByteDance has removed its secondary TikTok offerings for creators and companies, including TikTok Studio (a video creation and scheduling tool) and TikTok Shop Seller Center (a management platform for businesses selling on TikTok Shop).

Marvel Snap

Marvel Snap, a popular card game battler with millions of players in the U.S., was an unexpected casualty of the TikTok ban. While created by California-based developer Second Dinner, the game is published by ByteDance-owned Nuverse. Other Nuverse-published games, like Earth: Revival - Deep Underground and Ragnarok X: 3rd Anniversary are still available for download for now, the Verge reports. Nuverse did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Tweet may have been deleted CapCut

A popular video-editing app used by fancam makers and meme editors across the internet (and on TikTok), CapCut was pulled from the U.S. app store. Many had expected and warned users that the app, also owned by ByteDance, would be affected by the ban.

Tweet may have been deleted Lemon8

TikTok's Lemon8, originally touted as a hybrid Pinterest-meets-Instagram social media alternative, was also axed in the late hours of Jan. 18. Since its launch in 2023, amid early debate of banning its parent app, Lemon8 had grown in popularity among fitness and wellness creators.

Hypic

Hypic is ByteDance's free photo-editing offering, heavily promoted on TikTok as an appearance-focused photoshopping tool. It also allowed TikTok users to apply AI-powered face filters to their videos.

Tweet may have been deleted Lark, Lark Team Collaboration, Lark Rooms Display, Lark Rooms Controller

ByteDance-owned Lark is a productivity suite for businesses created as a competitor to Google Workspace. The suite, including secondary controller and presentation apps, was removed from U.S. marketplaces.

Gauth

Gauth, originally known as GauthMath, is an AI-powered study app created by ByteDance and one of the most popular education apps on the Apple App Store. The app reached 200 million users worldwide in 2024.

Other apps

Apps popular in international markets were also pulled in the wake of ByteDance's crackdown. These include Melolo, a short form video app run by Poligon and popular in Southeast Asia; Fizzo, Poligon's e-book platform; and Tokopedia, an e-commerce site popular in Indonesia. Poligon is a Singapore-based subsidiary of ByteDance.

Notably, RedNote (Xiaohongshu) is still available for download from the U.S. app store, despite being a Chinese-owned platform subject to China's data privacy and censorship laws. In the lead-up to TikTok's banning, many users have flocked to the video-forward platform as a potential alternative.

"It would've been nice to get an audition," mused Count Orlok (Sarah Sherman) during Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update, sharing their thoughts on Robert Eggers’ 2024 Nosferatu remake.

Referred to only as "Original Nosferatu," Orlok admitted they liked the movie but couldn’t resist taking a jab at New Nosferatu, played by Bill Skarsgård. "He’s not scary enough," Sherman quipped through the makeup, likening Skarsgård’s look to "a shirtless Ned Flanders."

SEE ALSO: 'SNL' has Dave Chappelle on 'Pop the Balloon'

But things really took a turn when "Original Nosferatu" set their sights on Weekend Update host Colin Jost. In true Sarah Sherman fashion, the rest of the segment devolved into a roast session. Jost endured cutting insults about his anatomy, alleged assistant-creeping tendencies, and a supposed coke habit.

The highlight? When Jost, recoiling as Sherman reached for his face, said, "The last thing I need is you sucking on my nose." Sherman quipped back “Suck on your nose? No thanks, I don’t want to be up all night. Because of the cocaine, Colin."

It was less an interview with the vampire and more of a bloodbath — but in the best way possible.

The social media app went dark late Saturday as a federal law went into effect requiring a sale or ban.

YouTube’s hit dating show Pop the Balloon or Find Love just got the Saturday Night Live treatment — and it’s as chaotic as you’d expect. The series, known for its lineup of singles clutching red balloons and ruthless eliminations, has become an internet obsession, especially within the Black community.

SEE ALSO: 'SNL' Weekend Update ponders what it means to live without TikTok

SNL’s parody captures the chaos perfectly. Contestants are swiftly eliminated for ridiculous reasons, like when Heidi Gardner’s character popped a balloon after hearing, “I like to cook,” and declaring, “I really don’t like the smell of food.”

But the sketch's highlight is Dave Chappelle's surprising appearance as Silky Johnson, his foul-mouthed, over-the-top Chappelle’s Show character. Understandably, all the women popped their balloons, but that didn't stop Silky from giving musical guest Glorilla another one so he could pop it himself for "her sass."

As Americans sat down to tune into the latest Saturday Night Live episode, TikTok quietly went offline, pulling the plug on U.S. users despite reassurances from the Biden administration that it wouldn't be enforced until the new administration took office.

Though it felt like it for many, the world did not end, and SNL, for what it's worth, kept on peddling jokes as the country mourned the app's loss.

SEE ALSO: TikTok banned: Why you’re seeing a pop-up when you open the app

Cast member Michael Longfellow and Weekend Update host Michael Che dug into why it was so upsetting, debating the heightened emotional response, because, lest we forget, we didn't even have it for that long.

What about the data and national security concerns regarding China, the Michaels wondered. Who cares, Longfellow argues. It teaches us things. It diagnosed my ADHD. It ruined my mental health and attention span, he opines, but at least there was something to do.

"I know I lived a life before TikTok. But that boy is dead."