Search the archive

SQLITE-VEC

A vector database built on top of the powerful SQLite technology. It can handle millions of queries and has a nice API for vectors.

PUFFERLIB

PufferLib is a wrapper and accelerator for reinforcement learning libraries to unify the interface. It is extremely fast and contains a number of useful baselines.

LOW-RESOURCE LANGUAGE MODELS

Trans-tokenization is a cross-lingual strategy that enhances language models for low and mid-resource languages by leveraging high-resource language data.

DON'T PIVOT INTO AI RESEARCH

Scale has become the predominant driver of performance in the field of AI and machine learning. The substantial capital required has led to market consolidation, with only a few suppliers capable of employing productive ML researchers. This dynamic mirrors the historical consolidation seen in chip design, suggesting a future downturn in the prestige and salaries for ML roles as supply outstrips demand. Aspiring ML professionals should carefully assess their career motivations in light of these industry trends.

SONOVA'S AI HEARING AIDS OFFER CRYSTAL-CLEAR SPEECH IN NOISY PLACES

Sonova has introduced Phonak Audéo Sphere, a hearing aid featuring AI and dual-chip technology that promises a 53x boost in speech understanding in noisy environments. Developed over years, the platform combats the key challenge for hearing aid users — clarity in noise — using the DEEPSONIC chip with advanced DNN capabilities. With this leap in tech, Sonova aims to significantly improve the quality of life for the hearing impaired.

APPLE INTELLIGENCE MAY COME TO EU AFTER ALL

Apple's AI features in the upcoming macOS Sequoia will be available for Mac users in the EU, unlike on iOS and iPadOS 18, per the latest beta release notes. The EU exclusion, which is due to Digital Markets Act compliance issues, does not apply to Macs. Mac users will likely be able to access Apple Intelligence if they set their system to U.S. English.

WAYMO IS EXPANDING ITS ROBOTAXI SERVICE AREAS IN SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELES

Waymo is expanding its robotaxi service areas in San Francisco and Los Angeles, indicating confidence in its autonomous vehicle technology.

INTEL REPORTEDLY GAVE UP A CHANCE TO BUY A STAKE IN OPENAI IN 2017

Intel reportedly passed on acquiring a stake in OpenAI, which is now a significant player in AI, during 2017-2018 due to then-CEO Bob Swan's hesitation on AI market readiness.

HEY AI (PRODUCT LAUNCH)

Hey AI leverages AI-to-AI based engagements to disrupt the traditional dating app.

CELSIUS SUES TETHER, SEEKING $3.5B OVER BITCOIN COLLATERAL SELL-OFF

Celsius has filed a lawsuit against Tether, seeking $3.5 billion in Bitcoin, damages, and legal fees, alleging that Tether improperly liquidated its BTC collateral during Celsius' bankruptcy without allowing it to provide additional collateral. Tether denies the allegations, calling the lawsuit baseless and asserting that Celsius requested the liquidation to close out its position.

AMIDST RECORD PROFITS, TETHER SET TO DOUBLE FTES

Tether (USDT stablecoin issuer) plans to double its workforce to around 200 employees by mid-2025, focusing on expanding its development, investment, and compliance teams in response to significant growth and record profits. This strategic expansion comes as Tether continues to dominate the stablecoin market, despite ongoing competition and past controversies over its reserves.

$FLY: DESIGNED TO MAKE RESTAURANTS SOAR

$FLY introduces cross-restaurant loyalty rewards and allows restaurants to save money on card processing fees by accepting it for purchases. Blackbird's recently updated Flypaper introduces Flynet, an upcoming L3 powered by the F2 token that will be the hub of Blackbird activity. F2 will be distributed based on FLY usage. Blackbird hopes to commoditize the experience of being a restaurant “regular” by sharing data within its network and creating an interaction flywheel.

CASH FLOWS FOR APP TOKENS: A NEW MODEL

App tokens historically have had problems with value capture, proper governance, and regulatory compliance. a16z Crypto has designed a fee tracing mechanism where pools can distribute fees compliant with a token holder's regulatory jurisdiction. A curator entity could handle finding compliant frontends and users for a fee, thus removing any additional burden from protocol governance.

valuation before the round closes on August 28.

CONSUMER NOTES

This edition of Consumer Notes highlights key developments in consumer crypto, including the rise of innovative platforms like Makememe.now, marginfi's The Arena, and dumpy.fun, which are pushing the boundaries of meme coins. It also covers major updates such as the launch of the Pudgy Penguin Consumer Chain on Abstract's testnet, Telegram's new crypto-integrated browser and mini-app store, and Blackbird's Flynet, a blockchain-based payment system aimed at revolutionizing restaurant loyalty programs.

THE ZK MARKET MAP

This market map from Electric Capital highlights over 250 crypto projects working in the zero-knowledge space. It is categorized based on a spectrum of core tech to user-facing, further subcategorized into specific use cases. Years of ZK research are coming to life by advancing scalability and trustlessness and introducing new use cases across all of crypto. 80% of projects are infrastructure-focused, though the application sector is expected to grow.

MAKERDAO PROPOSES DELISTING WBTC AFTER ANNOUNCED CUSTODY CHANGE

On August 9th, Bitgo announced it will transfer custody of WBTC to a joint venture with jurisdictions in Hong Kong and Singapore as part of a partnership with Justin Sun and the Tron ecosystem. In response, and due to previously-acquired Sun projects faltering, BA Labs has proposed removing WBTC as collateral on Maker and SparkLend. tBTC is being suggested as an alternative.

ADIDAS LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVE DOODLES APPAREL ALONGSIDE PHARRELL SONG

Adidas has partnered with NFT collection Doodles to create collectible packs redeemable for physical apparel. The packs, retailing for $5, could include digital wearables or a tracksuit and shoes with art of Deysi, the mascot from the Doodles song by Pharrell Williams and Coi Leray.

US CARRIERS TESTING OFFLOADING TRAFFIC TO HELIUM MOBILE NETWORK

Two prominent US mobile network carriers are testing Helium's MOBILE network to offload data traffic.

PUMPDOTFUN PIPELINE IS SMALL

@pumpdotfun shared a stark update from the trenches of the meme coin world: out of 16,357 tokens launched in the past 24 hours, only 175 reached Raydium, and a mere 19 remain above a 69k market cap—resulting in a slim 0.12% success rate from launch to profitability.

RIPPLE BEGINS TESTING ITS STABLECOIN RLUSD ON XRP LEDGER AND ETHEREUM

Ripple has started testing its stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD), on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum networks.

ISSUES WITH JUPITER EXCHANGE'S SPOT PRODUCT

Jupiter Exchange is tackling issues with its spot product, where efforts to protect users, like dynamic slippage and gas settings, have caused frustration during volatility, and its free quote API is being abused.

CANVA'S BRAND REFRESH EMPOWERS A WORLD OF DESIGN

A decade after its launch and with over 190 million users, Canva continues revolutionizing design by focusing on workplace collaboration. The refreshed brand system enhances its global identity while allowing for local adaptability. Key updates include a simplified visual style, a more humanized user interface, and increased accessibility.

BUZZFEED COMES DOWN ON AI NEWS OUTLET OVER SIMILAR LOGO

Buzzfeed issued a cease and desist notice to Trending Now, an AI news aggregator, over a logo design that Buzzfeed claims is too similar. The logo features an ascending arrow and a Google Trends emblem motif. Trending Now's director acknowledges the resemblance but considers the dispute a positive sign for the site's future.

GOOGLE MAKES BIG CHANGES TO PHOTOS APP AHEAD OF GEMINI AI INTEGRATION

Google Photos is reorganizing its "Library" into a "Collections" page, featuring a new layout with thumbnail shortcuts for faces, locations, and content types. This update, possibly in preparation for integrating Google's Gemini AI-powered "Ask Photos" function, replaces the search bar with shortcuts like favorites, selfies, and screenshots. There are reports of inconsistencies with the Gemini AI software.

HEALTHY AND UNHEALTHY TENSION

Cohesive teams can outperform larger ones, but maintaining healthy tension is crucial. This article contrasts two teams: one trapped in dysfunction, where one member dominates decisions, and another that navigates tension constructively. It emphasizes the importance of compromise, collaboration, and leadership in fostering environments where teams can thrive without sacrificing progress or cohesion.

BUILD BETTER USER-CENTERED WEBSITES WITH AN ITERATIVE DESIGN APPROACH

Iterative design enhances website development by incorporating continuous user feedback to refine and improve the user experience. This approach involves four key stages: research and ideation, prototyping, testing and evaluation, and refinement. By focusing on user-centered design, iterative methods reduce costly errors, ensure more effective websites, and foster better collaboration among development teams, leading to successful outcomes.

FIGMA FIASCO

The recent updates to Figma, including new AI features and a redesigned interface, have frustrated many designers. Critics argue that Figma is prioritizing profit and appealing to non-designers at the expense of usability and the needs of its core design community, leading to concerns about the product's future direction.

AI-POWERED INSPIRATION FOR YOUR YARD

Neighborbrite offers AI-powered landscaping inspiration by allowing users to select an area of their yard, choose a style, and instantly receive design ideas.

A SOCIAL PLATFORM FOR DESIGNERS

Layover is a vibrant community for designers to connect, collaborate, and elevate their craft. Share your work, explore trending designs, and gain inspiration from a global network of creative professionals.

CONTACT BUTTON

Contact Button offers a customizable widget that lets website visitors easily connect with businesses. It integrates various contact methods, booking tools, and forms into a single button, enhancing user engagement and lead generation.

REVOLT HELPS OVARIAN CANCER ACTION EXPAND ITS AUDIENCE AND AMPLIFY ITS PURPOSE

Ovarian Cancer Action, a leading UK charity, enlisted Revolt to revamp its brand to stand out and increase awareness. The redesign involved a comprehensive strategy overhaul, including a new logo inspired by ovarian cancer symbols and a distinctive visual language with custom icons, image masks, and a teal color scheme. This refreshed identity underscores the charity's mission to improve ovarian cancer survival rates and drive urgent action.

DIVING INTO DESIGNERS' FAVORITE OLYMPIC SPORT: THE PICTOGRAMS

Olympic pictograms, which serve as a universal visual language for the Games, have evolved since their introduction in 1964, with each iteration reflecting the unique design ethos of the time. The 2024 Paris Olympics adopts a new approach featuring "coats of arms", replacing traditional pictograms with designs incorporating elements like symmetry and sport-specific equipment. They have been criticized for being less legible than their predecessors.

WITH NEW CHANGES AT SOUTHWEST AND SPIRIT, IT'S GETTING HARDER TO TELL THE AIRLINE BRANDS APART

Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines are rebranding to enhance their market appeal and address customer feedback. Southwest's rebrand focuses on a refreshed logo and branding elements to emphasize its low-cost and friendly service. Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines is revamping its image to shed its budget airline reputation and better compete with higher-end carriers. By improving its overall brand perception, Spirit Airlines aims to attract a broader audience.

TEN OF THE BEST MAP DESIGNS, AND WHAT THEY TELL US ABOUT MAPPING

Exploring creative map design reveals how maps transcend utility, becoming art pieces that capture history, culture, and scientific breakthroughs.

METROPOLIS 1998 LETS YOU DESIGN EVERY BUILDING IN AN ISOMETRIC, PIXEL-ART CITY

Design an isometric pixel-art city from scratch in Metropolis 1998, where every detail, from roads to room colors, is customizable, offering an engaging and nostalgic building experience.

PLEX LOGO REDESIGN: A WARMER, MORE INVITING BRANDING

Daniel Lasso redesigned the Plex logo by simplifying its iconic chevron and introducing a lowercase wordmark with softer, rounded edges.

See the Rippling effect today →

10 CHARTS THAT CAPTURE HOW THE WORLD IS CHANGING PART II

Recent trends highlight challenges in venture capital fundraising, with established managers capturing most of the capital, while first-time funds struggle to gain traction. Shifts in household compositions among young Americans, declining church attendance, and changes in mobile gaming spending due to Apple's App Tracking Transparency are also notable. AI's impact on freelancing has been significant, reducing demand for basic writing and coding jobs while increasing pay in areas where AI complements human work.

WHEN TO IGNORE YOUR USERS (AND WHEN TO LISTEN TO THEM)

Listening to user feedback is crucial for building products people want, but blindly following every user request can lead to a bloated, unfocused product that strays from the core vision. Successful companies find the right balance by deeply understanding user needs and pain points while staying true to their long-term product strategy and making opinionated decisions about which features to implement.

HOW TO FIND YOUR FIRST ICP GUIDE

Defining an Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) is crucial for businesses, especially in B2B SaaS, as it helps identify the most valuable customers and create targeted marketing campaigns, inform product development, and enhance the sales experience. An ICP should be a dynamic and evolving concept, refined and redefined as the market and customers change. By identifying and serving their ICP, companies can reduce churn, accelerate growth, and gain a competitive edge.

THE HOTTEST MARKETING TREND RIGHT NOW

Mini-games are becoming a popular marketing trend, with companies like LinkedIn, YouTube, Netflix, and Wiz launching engaging games to capture their audiences' attention. These games work because they provide crazy engagement, foster brand love, have viral potential, and offer memorable marketing experiences. To create a successful mini-game, businesses should find a proven game mechanic, make it specific to their audience, design for virality and shareability, and keep it simple.

INDIVIDUAL EFFICIENCY VS. ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY

Balancing individual autonomy with team and company efficiency requires thoughtful policy-making. While allowing personal choice in tools can enhance individual productivity, it can hinder team collaboration and raise administrative concerns. Effective policies should aim to maximize individual autonomy while meeting necessary administrative requirements, focusing on standardizing outcomes rather than implementations, and promoting Pareto-efficiency and global optimization when appropriate.

10 BEHAVIORAL PRINCIPLES AND DARK PATTERNS IN USER ONBOARDING

Growth teams face significant challenges in driving monetization, building growth processes, scaling experimentation, improving user activation, and acquiring new users. A survey of over 100 respondents from early-stage startups to Series B companies highlighted these areas as particularly difficult. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach to user onboarding that focuses on understanding user behavior, enhancing user experience, and applying behavioral psychology principles to create a seamless and engaging onboarding process that fosters long-term engagement and success.

YC FALL ‘24 BATCH (ACCELERATOR)

YC is accepting applications for the Fall 2024 Batch funding cycle. The batch will take place from September to December in San Francisco. The deadline to apply is August 27.

TOPVIEW.AI

Topview is an online AI video editor, powered by YouTube, Tiktok, and Facebook ads library, that turns your links or media assets into viral videos in one click.

THE ESSENTIALS OF A KILLER PITCH DECK (GUIDE)

Practical examples, actionable steps, and deep insights on how to raise funds successfully by Hustle Fund.