ByteDance Buys Earbud Maker Oladance for Future Hardware

ByteDance Ltd. has acquired Chinese earphone maker Oladance for around $50 million, its latest step toward developing wearable devices that could become the next home for its tech after smartphones.

TikTok’s Chinese owner has finalized the deal and dispatched staff to work with the Shenzhen-based startup founded five years ago, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified. The acquisition brings on board a team of seasoned former Bose Corp. engineers, which has been developing a series of earphones that wrap around the wearer’s ear.

ByteDance is exploring new hardware categories much as US social media rivals ...