Lag0s

Week Summary

Technology

Earth has captured a temporary 'second moon,' a small asteroid named 2024 PT5, which will orbit until November 2024.

Research indicates that larger AI chatbots are increasingly prone to generating incorrect answers, raising concerns about their reliability.

Meta's Chief Technical Officer discussed advancements in AR and VR technologies, particularly focusing on the Orion AR glasses.

The author reflects on their experience with Rust, proposing several changes to improve the language's usability and safety features.

The Tor Project and Tails OS have merged to enhance their efforts in promoting online anonymity and privacy.

OpenAI is undergoing leadership changes, with key executives departing amid discussions about restructuring and the company's future direction.

Git-absorb

The concept of critical mass explains how significant changes occur when a threshold of acceptance is reached, impacting technology and society.

WordPress.org has banned WP Engine from accessing its resources due to ongoing legal disputes, raising concerns about security for WP Engine customers.

PostgreSQL 17

Hotwire Native is a web-first framework that simplifies mobile app development, allowing developers to reuse HTML and CSS across platforms.

Radian Aerospace is progressing on a reusable space plane, completing ground tests and aiming for full-scale flights by 2028.

A groundbreaking diabetes treatment using reprogrammed stem cells has enabled a patient to produce insulin independently for over a year.

Apple is developing a new home accessory that combines features of the iPad, Apple TV, and HomePod, expected to launch in 2025.

SpaceX's Starlink service is set to surpass 4 million subscribers, reflecting rapid growth and significant revenue projections.

TinyJS is a lightweight JavaScript library that simplifies dynamic HTML element creation and DOM manipulation for developers.

Canva Enhances Developer Platform with New Features
Canva has recently introduced significant enhancements to its developer platform, aimed at improving the experience for app developers and users alike. These updates include the integration of premium apps into Canva's Pro subscription, a new translation feature for app content, improved app discoverability, and expanded API functionalities. Since launching its developer program in June 2023, Canva has seen over 300 apps created by developers, which have collectively been used more than 1 billion times. Notable examples include the Meta Design Check app, which assists users in applying best creative practices from Meta. One of the key changes is the introduction of premium apps that will be accessible to users with Pro or higher subscriptions. Previously, developers could charge for their services without Canva taking a cut, but now Canva is offering a monetization model for select developers, supported by a $50 million developer innovation fund that rewards apps based on their usage. To enhance user experience, Canva has revamped how apps are discovered on the platform. Instead of being confined to a separate apps tab, apps will now appear in various sections, including the Text tab, Elements tab, and Photo Editor, as well as within Canva Docs. This change aims to make it easier for users to find and utilize these tools. Additionally, Canva is launching a translation tool that allows users to translate app content into their preferred languages, further broadening accessibility. The new API capabilities include a content query API that enables users to interact with design content and a design editing API that can create design elements based on user prompts. There is also a new authentication API for secure access through Canva accounts and a tables API for creating tables within designs. Anwar Haneef, Canva's GM and Head of Ecosystem, emphasized the careful consideration that went into building the developer platform, particularly regarding data sharing and flexibility for developers. Canva also introduced a Connect API, allowing companies to integrate Canva's functionality into their own environments, exemplified by the recent launch of Canva for Salesforce, which helps sales teams create presentations from customer data. Overall, these updates reflect Canva's commitment to fostering a robust ecosystem for developers while enhancing the user experience through improved app integration and functionality.
Canva
Developer Platform Enhancements

Month Summary

Technology

OpenAI is considering a new subscription model for its upcoming AI product, Strawberry, while also restructuring for better financial backing.

Telegram founder

The startup landscape is shifting towards more tech-intensive ventures, with a focus on specialized research and higher capital requirements.

Boom Supersonic's XB-1 demonstrator aircraft successfully completed its second flight, testing new systems for future supersonic travel.

announced the uncrewed return of Boeing's Starliner, with future crewed missions planned for 2025.

OpenAI's SearchGPT aims to compete with Google Search by providing AI-driven information retrieval, though it currently faces accuracy issues.

Tesla is preparing to unveil its autonomous robotaxi technology at an event in Los Angeles, indicating ongoing challenges in achieving full autonomy.

The US Department of Justice is investigating Nvidia for potential antitrust violations related to its AI chip market dominance.

Apple plans to use OLED screens in all iPhone 16 models, moving away from Japanese suppliers and introducing new AI features.

Amazon S3 has introduced conditional writes to prevent overwriting existing objects, simplifying data updates for developers.

Chinese scientists have developed a hydrogel that shows promise in treating osteoarthritis by restoring cartilage lubrication.

Nvidia's CEO is working to position the Nvidia as a comprehensive provider for data center needs, amidst growing competition from AMD and Intel.

OpenAI

Nvidia Blackwell

Amazon is set to release a revamped Alexa voice assistant in October, powered by AI models from Anthropic's Claude, and will be offered as a paid subscription service.