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SONY HASN'T BEEN THIS HOT SINCE IT MADE THE WALKMAN

Sony's stock has started to break out of a decades-long slump due to its efforts to transition to an original content and entertainment company.

PREFERRING THROWAWAY CODE OVER DESIGN DOCS

Design docs slow down the process for team members with less disciplined or skilled developers, are usually outdated pretty fast, and teams usually won't discover the real problems until they write code.

MAP OF GITHUB

This site contains a map of more than 400,000 GitHub projects clustered into 1,100 'countries' of technologies.

LIQUID AI RAISES $250M

Liquid AI has raised a substantial amount of money to continue training its efficient, general purpose, liquid style foundation models.

PROJECTS IN OPENAI

OpenAI has introduced “Projects”, a new way to organize chats and conversations.

AI GODMOTHER FEI-FEI LI HAS A VISION FOR COMPUTER VISION

Fei-Fei Li launched World Labs to focus on developing AI's spatial intelligence by creating interactive 3D scenes. The initiative aims to advance machine perception and reasoning in 3D environments, crucial for applications in robotics, virtual reality, and augmented reality. Li emphasizes that solving 3D intelligence is fundamental to enhancing AI's capabilities.

PHI-4

A synthetically trained language model from Microsoft that excels at a number of challenging benchmarks. The weights are coming this week. Interestingly, it confirmed the suspicion that “Mid Training” can be used for context length extension.

BLT: TOKEN FREE LANGUAGE MODEL TRAINING

Meta has released details and training code for the Byte Latent Transformer which uses learned patches instead of tokens for training, essentially eliminating a challenging portion of language modeling. Importantly, it found that its paradigm scales better to small Llama 2 sized models.

EFFICIENT SCENE UNDERSTANDING VIA MODULAR DESIGN

A new modular framework that enhances scene understanding by decomposing tasks into specialized modules, achieving efficiency and improved interpretability in complex environments.

pitfalls. Get the whitepaper.

DEEPSEEK VL2

DeepSeek has released another great model, this time in the form of a new MoE vision language model. It is extremely efficient and outperforms a number of dense models.

BEST OF N JAILBREAKING

Jailbreaking is when you bypass a model's trained-in refusals to get it to generate text for something deemed inappropriate. This is surprisingly easy to achieve - simply brute force random capitalization and punctuation in the input prompt until the model responds with the results you want to extract.

CONVERT ANY MICROSOFT OFFICE FILE TO MARKDOWN

Microsoft has released a package that can convert any docx, xslx, or ppt files to markdown for efficient use as context for a language model.

SCHEMING REASONING EVALUATIONS

This paper evaluates six frontier models for their in-context scheming capabilities. The study tests if models will deceive developers to achieve a goal by overcoming hurdles like oversight mechanisms. An example includes Claude 3 Opus duplicating its weights to a new server and lying about it.

TOWARDS TRUSTED AUTONOMY: ROBOTICS, AI, AND BLOCKCHAIN

What happens when robotics, AI, and blockchain converge? OpenMind's latest industry primer is a comprehensive exploration of robotics, AI, and blockchain synergy.

AMUREX

Amurex, an open-source AI meeting assistant, provides real-time suggestions, smart summaries, and follow-up emails to enhance meeting productivity. It offers features like late join recaps and full meeting transcripts for seamless integration into workflows.

Timetracker for Jira

X GIVES GROK A NEW PHOTOREALISTIC AI IMAGE GENERATOR

X has introduced "Aurora," a new AI image generator under the "Grok 2 + Aurora beta" that is capable of creating more photorealistic images than previous models.

RESEARCHERS USE AI TO TURN SOUND RECORDINGS INTO ACCURATE STREET IMAGES

Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin used generative AI to convert audio recordings into street-view images, demonstrating a strong correlation with real-world visuals.

GOOGLE SAYS ITS NEW QUANTUM CHIP IS WAY FASTER THAN THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL SUPERCOMPUTER

Google's new quantum chip, Willow, significantly reduces qubit error rates, a longstanding challenge in quantum computing.

AUSTIN MAN GETS 2 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CRYPTOCURRENCY TAX FRAUD, A DOJ FIRST

A Bitcoin holder was sentenced to prison time for underreporting gains on Bitcoin for the first time. Frank Ahlgren III, an early adopter of crypto, underreported $4 million in Bitcoin sales and pleaded guilty to charges of tax evasion. He attempted to hide the sale using mixers and cash and believed his actions to be anonymous.

MICROSTRATEGY TO ENTER NASDAQ 100, EXPOSING BITCOIN-LINKED STOCK TO BILLIONS IN PASSIVE INVESTMENT FLOWS

MicroStrategy will join the Nasdaq-100 as its first Bitcoin-focused company, ranking 40th with a $92 billion market cap and 0.47% weighting. This inclusion exposes $550 billion in passive funds to its $42 billion bitcoin holdings, driving institutional adoption but raising potential reclassification as a financial firm in March.

PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE: FROM DAOS TO HYPERNETWORKS

OPENSEA FOUNDATION REGISTERED IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

An OpenSea Foundation registering in the Cayman Islands likely signals a strategic shift for OpenSea, possibly involving new financial or governance structures optimized for crypto-friendly regulation. A Cayman Islands foundation could pave the way for decentralized initiatives, token launches, or greater community-driven governance.

HOW STABLECOINS WILL AT PAYMENTS, AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

a16z Crypto stablecoins will disrupt the traditional payments industry due to its substantially lower transaction costs, with fees under $0.01 compared to credit cards' 2-3%. Major retailers like Walmart and Chipotle could dramatically increase profitability by switching to stablecoin payments, potentially improving margins by 60% and 12% respectively. Three key trends are driving adoption: increasing back-office integration through stablecoin orchestration, improved onboarding processes with shared incentives for businesses, and growing regulatory clarity, while the technology continues to improve through infrastructure development and permissionless composability.

THE BULL CASE FOR HYPERLIQUID

This piece builds the case for Hyperliquid ($HYPE) as a game-changing decentralized exchange (DEX) and Layer 1 protocol. By blending centralized exchange-like performance with fully on-chain operations, Hyperliquid captures growing market share in perpetuals trading and prepares to expand further with its EVM launch. The piece highlights the $HYPE token's growth potential, competitive advantages, innovative ecosystem, and upcoming milestones, while also addressing key risks like centralization and ecosystem quality.

VITALIK EXPLAINS DEEP FUNDING

Vitalik Buterin explains in this thread that deep funding applies a graph-based approach to measure contributions by crediting nodes based on their impact on connected outputs. Deep funding then combines this with distilled human judgment, where AIs propose edge weights and a human jury spot-checks for accuracy to determine the final scoring system.

10 CRYPTO PREDICTIONS FOR 2025

VanEck's 2025 Crypto Predictions foresee a dynamic year, with Bitcoin reaching $180,000 and Ethereum surpassing $6,000 by Q4, alongside breakthroughs in tokenized securities ($50B+ market), AI agents (1M new deployments), and explosive DeFi ($4T DEX volumes). It also predicts U.S. regulatory advancements, surging stablecoin payments ($300B/day), and a rebound in NFT trading ($30B).

ETHEREUM LIQUID RESTAKING TVL SURGES FROM $284M TO $17B IN 2024

Ethereum liquid restaking TVL has skyrocketed from $284M to $17B in 2024, driven by the growing utility and capital efficiency of liquid restaking tokens (LRTs), which enable stakers to reuse derivative tokens for securing additional networks (e.g., stEth).

BIT GLOBAL SUES COINBASE FOR PLANNING TO DELIST WRAPPED BITCOIN IN FAVOR OF CBBTC

BiT Global has filed a lawsuit against Coinbase over its planned delisting of Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), alleging that the exchange is unfairly removing the token to promote its own recently launched cbBTC product.

SOLANA SPEED UPDATES

Solana is accelerating its scaling efforts with plans to raise block limits, optimize network infrastructure, and achieve 120 ms block times, paving the way for massive scalability while already operating at high capacity.

WHAT IS AI16ZDAO'S ELIZA?

Eliza is an open-source library used to easily launch and customize AI agents, with extensive plugin support for on-chain transactions, multi-platform presence, and the most integrations of any AI agent framework.

UPWORK'S NEW VISUAL IDENTITY REDEFINES THE FUTURE OF BRANDING

NOT Wieden+Kennedy has redefined Upwork's branding with a new visual identity. Featuring a fluid grid system, cohesive design language, enhanced typography, and dynamic visuals, the system emphasizes flexibility and global adaptability. Developed over 18 months, this transformative approach showcases Upwork's innovative vision for work, seamlessly integrating creativity with business growth.

REPORT: APPLE DESIGNING ALL NEW MAGIC MOUSE, FIXING CHARGE PORT PLACEMENT

Apple is developing a redesigned Magic Mouse to address user criticisms, particularly the inconvenient charging port on the bottom. The new design aims to enhance ergonomics and functionality, making the mouse more suitable for modern use. The updated Magic Mouse will be released within 12 to 18 months.

GEMINI AI GLASSES COULD FINALLY JUSTIFY GOOGLE'S OBSESSION WITH EYEWEAR

Google is developing prototype smart glasses integrated with its Gemini AI, Project Astra. These glasses aim to provide real-time assistance like directions and language translations through an always-on virtual assistant. A small group of testers will evaluate these glasses alongside an Android phone version to enhance hands-free AI interactions. Google has also introduced Android XR, a new operating system for smart glasses and headsets, enabling developers to create apps and games for upcoming devices.

CREATING AN EFFECTIVE MULTISTEP FORM FOR BETTER USER EXPERIENCE

Multistep forms improve user experience by dividing information into focused, logical steps. Each step collects specific details: personal information, work experience, skills, and a review before submission. Navigation involves validation at every step to prevent errors and ensure users understand the corrections needed. This approach streamlines complex processes like job applications, enhancing usability and efficiency.

THE PATH TO DESIGN PRINCIPAL: MASTERING ARCHETYPES AND DEFINING SUCCESS

Adobe Design's principal designers embody six archetypes: Visionary, Evangelist, Researcher, Innovator, Strategist, and Subject Matter Expert. These roles emphasize unique leadership styles, blending skills like foresight, collaboration, and specialization. Success involves building visibility, collaborating cross-functionally, and measuring impact. Self-assessment helps designers identify strengths and improve weak areas, shaping distinct career paths.

ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER FIGMA PRICING UPDATE

Figma will introduce a new seat-based pricing model on March 11, 2025, significantly increasing user costs by bundling features like Figma Slides and FigJam into the full seat. While admins can control seat upgrades to avoid surprise charges, the changes have drawn criticism from the design community for forcing payment for features some users may not need.

PROTOTYPE YOUR PRODUCT IDEAS WITH AI

Iterate on components and designs in an AI-native editor—export to React or Figma.

ONE MILLION SCREENSHOTS

Navigate over 1 million of the web's top homepages like Google Maps. Zoom, pan, and click to explore.

FIGMA PRESENTATION TEMPLATES

Deliver polished, engaging presentations with these presentation templates in Figma Slides.

GARANTI BBVA SECURITIES CASE STUDY: DESIGNING A WORLD-CLASS INVESTING EXPERIENCE

The Garanti BBVA Securities eTrader platform has been transformed to offer a personalized, seamless experience for both novice and experienced investors. Moving away from third-party solutions, it integrates advanced functionality with intuitive design, enhancing user engagement, retention, and brand differentiation. The reimagined platform caters to diverse investor needs with tailored features.

MAYBOURNE HOTEL GROUP'S NEW BRANDING AND VISUAL IDENTITY

Maybourne Hotel Group unveiled a new brand identity by FutureBrand London, featuring a bespoke 'M' monogram, a custom font for 'MAYBOURNE,' and teal hues inspired by British racing green. Central to the rebrand is "The Maybourne Tapestry," a detailed artwork reflecting the hotels' history, used across brand collateral and merchandise.

YOUR GOOGLE MAPS APP IS ABOUT TO LOOK DIFFERENT. HERE'S WHAT'S CHANGING

Google Maps for Android devices is updating its interface, replacing blue accents with dark teal, and improving text readability with black labels. This redesign aims to refresh navigation and enhance user experience. Changes include updates to the floating action button, which aligns with previous updates to map feature colors and interface simplification.

THE RESOURCE THAT TAUGHT A GENERATION OF ANIMATORS IS BEING UPDATED FOR STREAMING

Richard Williams' Animator's Survival Kit is being animated and will stream in 2025, featuring masterclasses and animated examples covering core animation principles for traditional and CGI methods.

WHY REDDIT IS A TREASURE TROVE FOR CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS

Reddit's subreddits like r/Design_WATC offer creative professionals resources, feedback, and networking to enhance their skills and stay inspired.

WHAT IS A GREAT BUSINESS?

A great business fulfills consumer preferences that competitors can't, building goodwill and consumer surplus. The more preferences it serves beyond what's necessary for a transaction, the more goodwill it creates. Great businesses methodically build and release this "pressure" through pricing, not mistakes. Management's role is to grow goodwill while strategically monetizing it. Being a great business doesn't guarantee being a great investment - the latter depends on the investor's entry price and reinvestment opportunities. There's no universal formula; understanding the principles is key.