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YC Series A Funding: Automation and Platform-First Dominate

2025-05-31

YC Series A Funding: Automation and Platform-First Dominate

This analysis examines which Y Combinator (YC) companies from four batches since the ChatGPT boom have secured Series A funding. Only 2.4% of the 998 companies received Series A, a figure skewed by the short timeframe. Successful companies largely clustered in business automation, operational tooling, and platform/API-first areas, with internal business automation and operational platforms surprisingly dominant. This suggests network advantages and technical talent are key to YC success. Surprisingly, 'AI for X' verticals were limited to legal and patent-focused companies, with zero LLM evaluation, observability, or tooling companies securing Series A. Top-tier lead investors were also significant factors in success.

(jamesin.substack.com)

Startup Series A Funding Business Automation

From 30 WPM to 120 WPM: My Touch Typing Journey and App Creation

2025-05-31

This post recounts the author's journey from a slow typist to achieving 120 WPM. Initially struggling with typing speed, impacting his programming and job search, he dedicated 10-15 minutes daily to practice. He experimented with typing apps, eventually creating his own, TypeQuicker. His techniques included focusing on accuracy, practicing specific character sequences, and utilizing AI-generated text for realistic practice. Improved typing dramatically boosted his coding efficiency, job prospects (landing roles at Amazon and Wealthsimple), and overall productivity, illustrating the significant impact of a seemingly small skill.

(www.typequicker.com)

Development touch typing

Lookup Tables: A Cleaner Approach to Exponential Backoff

2025-05-31

Traditional exponential backoff algorithms often use loops to calculate delay times, leading to verbose and error-prone code. This article proposes a more elegant solution: using a lookup table to predefine delay times. This approach results in cleaner, more readable code. Modifying the backoff strategy becomes safer and easier, avoiding potential errors and complexity associated with loop-based calculations. This significantly improves code maintainability.

(commaok.xyz)

Development lookup table

Google AI Search: Hallucinations More Convincing Than Facts?

2025-05-31

The author attempted to use Google AI search to find an old IBM PS/2 server model, only to discover the AI repeatedly giving fabricated and contradictory answers, even inventing a non-existent model, "PS/2 Model 280," and its specifications. While the AI occasionally provides the correct answer, the incorrect answers are more convincing because they are detailed and appear realistic. This highlights the potential for significant errors in AI search results; even if an answer sounds convincing, it may not correspond to reality. Users should exercise caution.

(www.os2museum.com)

Tech information accuracy

Sampling Big Data: Small Samples, Big Answers

2025-05-31

Hadley Wickham's recent interview highlighted that many big data problems are actually small data problems, given the right subset, sample, or summary. This post delves into efficient sampling for big data analysis. Using the example of Goatly, a company serving narcoleptic goats, the author demonstrates how to calculate the appropriate sample size for logistic regression. The conclusion is that approximately 2345 samples are needed to accurately represent 100,000 farms. The post also details Python scripts and online tools for sample size calculation, and briefly touches on the concept of statistical power.

(vickiboykis.com)

Development data sampling big data analysis sample size calculation

Why Handwriting Trumps Typing for Memory and Learning

2025-05-31

Why Handwriting Trumps Typing for Memory and Learning

A new study reveals that handwriting activates a wider range of brain regions, leading to improved learning and memory. Unlike typing, which can be passive, handwriting demands active processing of information, strengthening connections between motor, visual, sensory, and memory areas. Researchers found significantly more brain activity and interconnectivity during handwriting compared to typing, explaining its superior effectiveness in comprehension and retention. Handwriting also benefits children by improving letter recognition and reinforcing memory pathways. While technology plays a crucial role in learning, over-reliance can lead to 'cognitive offloading,' hindering long-term brain development. Therefore, especially for preschoolers, promoting handwriting and drawing is essential for optimal brain development and learning.

(www.scientificamerican.com)

Tech

Online Circle Image Cropper: No Downloads, No Hassle

2025-05-31

Online Circle Image Cropper: No Downloads, No Hassle

This online tool effortlessly crops images into perfect circles or other shapes. It's free, works on all devices, and requires no downloads. Simply upload your image, adjust the circular frame, and download a PNG with a transparent background—ideal for profile pictures, designs, and presentations. Your images are processed in your browser and never stored, ensuring your privacy.

(circlecropimage.io)

Design image cropping circle avatar

Anthropic Launches Voice Mode for Claude Chatbot

2025-05-31

Anthropic Launches Voice Mode for Claude Chatbot

Anthropic has rolled out a beta voice mode for its Claude chatbot app, allowing users to have full spoken conversations. Available initially in English, the feature uses the Claude Sonnet 4 model and offers multiple voice options. Users can switch between text and voice, and view transcripts and summaries. While free users have usage limits, paid subscribers gain access to features like Google Workspace integration. This follows Anthropic's earlier discussions with Amazon and ElevenLabs regarding voice capabilities.

(techcrunch.com)

AI Voice Interaction

Reverse Engineering Linear's Sync Engine: A Deep Dive

2025-05-31

Reverse Engineering Linear's Sync Engine: A Deep Dive

This detailed study reverse-engineers Linear's Sync Engine (LSE), showcasing its elegant solution to challenges like supporting arbitrary data models, offering rich features (partial syncing, permission control, undo/redo, offline availability, and edit history), and providing a great developer experience. The author dissects LSE's model definition, MobX usage, bootstrapping process, local database construction, lazy data hydration, client-server synchronization, and undo/redo mechanisms through a deep dive into Linear's frontend code. The article explains how LSE defines models and metadata, performs bootstrapping and lazy loading, and handles transactions, incremental updates, and conflict resolution. LSE aims to empower developers to build collaborative applications without needing to be sync engine experts.

(github.com)

Development sync engine

Billions of Stolen Cookies Flood Dark Web Marketplaces: A Cybersecurity Threat

2025-05-31

Billions of Stolen Cookies Flood Dark Web Marketplaces: A Cybersecurity Threat

NordVPN's research reveals over 93.7 billion stolen cookies are for sale on dark web and Telegram marketplaces, with 7-9% remaining active. These cookies may contain user IDs, names, addresses, passwords, and other sensitive data, posing a significant security risk. Attackers can use these cookies to access accounts without authorization, even bypassing multi-factor authentication (MFA). The majority stem from malware like Redline. NordVPN advises users to carefully consider cookie acceptance, regularly clear browser history, update security patches, and strengthen account privacy settings to mitigate this threat.

(www.theregister.com)

Tech Cookie Theft

Anduril and Meta Team Up on XR for the US Military

2025-05-31

Anduril and Meta Team Up on XR for the US Military

Anduril and Meta are partnering to build extended reality (XR) devices for the U.S. military, a fairy tale ending of sorts for Anduril co-founder Palmer Luckey. The collaboration stems from the Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) Next program, a $22 billion contract originally awarded to Microsoft before being transferred to Anduril due to development issues. Anduril will leverage Meta's Reality Labs technology and Llama AI model, along with its own Lattice command and control software, to provide soldiers with real-time battlefield intelligence. This partnership marks a reconciliation between Luckey and Meta, after he was fired for supporting Donald Trump. To show good faith, Anduril has even launched a Facebook page, highlighting the surprisingly amicable collaboration.

(techcrunch.com)

Tech

Redis 8.0 Open Source Comeback and Valkey Performance Showdown

2025-05-31

Redis 8.0 Open Source Comeback and Valkey Performance Showdown

Redis Inc.'s controversial decision last year to close-source Redis shook the open-source community, but the community responded by forking Redis into Valkey. Now, Redis 8.0 is open-source again, and the original creator, Antirez, has returned. This article benchmarks Valkey 8.1 against Redis 8.0, showing Valkey outperforms Redis 8.0 in throughput and latency, especially with I/O threads enabled. It also explores core allocation optimization techniques and the limitations of benchmarking.

(www.gomomento.com)

Development

Mastering TestFlight: A Comprehensive Guide to Beta App Testing

2025-05-31

Mastering TestFlight: A Comprehensive Guide to Beta App Testing

Want to experience the latest apps before anyone else? TestFlight is your answer! This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of installing and testing beta apps, covering email/public link invitations, installation across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS, managing automatic updates, testing previous builds and build groups, and even testing iMessage apps and App Clips. It also details testing periods and important considerations, ensuring a smooth beta testing experience and valuable feedback for developers.

(testflight.apple.com)

Development App Testing

Changefly ID: Next-Gen Authentication for a Safer Internet

2025-05-30

Changefly ID offers a revolutionary approach to user authentication, moving beyond email and phone numbers. It provides secure logins for various applications, including payments, paywalls, loyalty programs, and more. The system uses a three-step process to generate API keys and authenticate users, prioritizing privacy and security. Changefly ID is free for personal use and offers commercial licensing options. Its mission is to build a safer internet by leveraging advanced security features like end-to-end encryption and machine learning.

(www.changefly.com)

Development

Micro Center Member Pricing: Free Until 2026!

2025-05-30

Micro Center Member Pricing: Free Until 2026!

Micro Center's Member Pricing is now available, completely free until 2026! No credit card is needed to join; simply sign in with your verified account to unlock extra savings automatically applied at checkout. Returns are always free, and starting them online saves time. Look for the green tag on products throughout the site to identify Member Pricing deals. Existing Micro Center accounts automatically qualify.

(www.microcenter.com)

Misc Member Pricing Savings

Instagram Now Supports 3:4 Aspect Ratio Photos

2025-05-30

Instagram Now Supports 3:4 Aspect Ratio Photos

Instagram now supports photos with a 3:4 aspect ratio, meaning uploads in this format will appear exactly as shot, according to Instagram head Adam Mosseri. He notes that most phone cameras default to this ratio. The update supports both single photo uploads and carousels, although square and 4:5 aspect ratios remain options. This follows Instagram's January move to rectangular profile grids, reflecting the increasing prevalence of vertical photos and videos.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech aspect ratio

Virtual Threads Ate My Memory: A Web Crawler's Tale

2025-05-30

Virtual Threads Ate My Memory: A Web Crawler's Tale

This post details a developer's experience building a web crawler with Java's Virtual Threads. Initially, performance soared, but the crawler crashed with an `OutOfMemoryError`. The author explains how they used Virtual Threads to dramatically increase speed, then shows how they fixed the memory issue by introducing a semaphore to limit concurrent tasks. The comparison between platform threads and Virtual Threads highlights the need for explicit resource management when using Virtual Threads, as the JVM's implicit backpressure mechanisms no longer apply. The author concludes that while Virtual Threads offer significant performance gains, developers must carefully manage resources to avoid memory problems.

(dariobalinzo.medium.com)

Development Virtual Threads Web Crawler

Notepad's Transformation: The End of Simplicity?

2025-05-30

Notepad's Transformation: The End of Simplicity?

Microsoft is adding formatting features like bold, italics, and hyperlinks to Notepad, transforming the minimalist text editor into a lightweight word processor. This move is controversial, with many users arguing it compromises Notepad's simplicity and ease of use, making it bloated and potentially driving users to alternatives. While Microsoft offers the option to disable formatting, it seems like a solution in search of a problem, rather than truly addressing user needs.

(betanews.com)

Development

Can AI Fully Automate Software Engineering?

2025-05-30

Can AI Fully Automate Software Engineering?

This article explores the possibility of AI fully automating software engineering. Current AI excels at specific coding tasks, surpassing human engineers, but lacks reliability, long-context understanding, and general capabilities. The authors argue the key lies in learning algorithms being far less efficient than the human brain, and a scarcity of high-quality training data. Future breakthroughs will involve combining large-scale human data training with reinforcement learning, creating richer, more realistic reinforcement learning environments to enable AI to possess human-like online learning abilities. While AI will write most code, software engineering jobs won't disappear immediately; instead, the focus will shift to tasks harder to automate like planning, testing, and team coordination. Ultimately, full automation means AI can handle all human responsibilities on a computer—a goal potentially far more distant than simple code generation.

(www.mechanize.work)

AI

Algorithms and Worker Power: The Rise and Fightback Against Reverse Centaurs

2025-05-30

This article explores the convergence of 'chickenization' (exploitative work arrangements) and 'reverse centaurs' (AI-driven, human-subordinate collaborations) in modern labor. Using gig workers and delivery drivers as examples, it reveals how algorithms manipulate workers, hide true earnings, and exert control through surveillance. In response, worker organizations are developing counter-algorithmic apps (like Para) to expose algorithmic opacity and organize collective action (like the #DECLINENOW movement). Initiatives also reverse-engineer algorithms, promoting worker transparency and autonomy, such as creating 'tuyul' apps for improved delivery driver autonomy. Ultimately, the author calls for labor solidarity, leveraging technology to combat algorithmic control and rebuild worker power.

(pluralistic.net)

Tech algorithmic control tech empowerment

Amazon's Secret Project 'Bend the Curve': Cleaning Up the Everything Store

2025-05-30

Amazon's Secret Project 'Bend the Curve': Cleaning Up the Everything Store

Amazon has launched a secretive project codenamed "Bend the Curve" to purge billions of unproductive product listings, aiming to reduce cloud computing costs. This initiative, part of CEO Andy Jassy's cost-cutting strategy, targets a reduction to under 50 billion active ASINs by the end of 2024. While Amazon claims the goal is to improve product quality, not reduce selection, surveys suggest a decline in consumer perception of Amazon's product variety. The project has also caused confusion among some sellers, prompting Amazon to improve communication and clarify its policies.

(www.businessinsider.com)

Tech Cost-cutting

Icepi Zero: A Pocket-Sized FPGA Development Board

2025-05-30

Icepi Zero: A Pocket-Sized FPGA Development Board

Icepi Zero is a cost-effective FPGA development board with a Raspberry Pi Zero form factor, featuring a powerful Lattice ECP5 25F chip. Its compact size and HDMI port make it ideal for various applications. Unlike expensive and bulky alternatives, Icepi Zero empowers students, game enthusiasts, and programmers alike. It boasts an onboard USB-to-JTAG converter, eliminating the need for external programmers, and is completely open-source.

(github.com)

Hardware Development Board

Minimal Ray Tracer in J: A Surprisingly Enjoyable Experience

2025-05-30

This post details the author's experience building a minimal ray tracer in J, a terse array-based programming language. The author explores key J concepts like tacit verbs, array programming, and verb composition, demonstrating their application in implementing core ray tracing elements such as vector math, lighting calculations, and pixel rendering. The resulting ray tracer is concise and surprisingly performant, leading the author to praise J's interactive development experience and speed compared to other languages like Common Lisp.

(idle.nprescott.com)

Development J programming language

Stack AI Hiring 10x Frontend Engineers to Democratize AI

2025-05-30

Stack AI Hiring 10x Frontend Engineers to Democratize AI

Stack AI, a Y Combinator and Gradient Ventures-backed AI startup founded by two MIT PhDs, is looking for 10x frontend engineers! They're building a user-friendly, no-code platform that democratizes access to large language models, enabling anyone to build impactful AI applications. Integrating top AI models (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google) and various data sources, Stack AI boasts over 85,000 users and 300+ paying customers. The role requires proficiency in React, TypeScript, and a strong UX focus. If you're passionate about AI and thrive in a dynamic startup environment, this is your chance to make a real impact.

(www.ycombinator.com)

Development

AI-Generated CUDA Kernels Outperform PyTorch?

2025-05-30

Researchers used large language models and a novel branching search strategy to automatically generate pure CUDA-C kernels without relying on libraries like CUTLASS or Triton. Surprisingly, these AI-generated kernels in some cases outperform even expert-optimized production kernels in PyTorch, achieving nearly 2x speedup on Conv2D. The method leverages natural language reasoning about optimization strategies and a branching search to explore multiple hypotheses in parallel, effectively avoiding local optima. While FP16 matrix multiplication and Flash Attention performance still needs improvement, this research opens a new frontier in high-performance kernel autogeneration, hinting at the immense potential of AI in compiler optimization.

(crfm.stanford.edu)

AI Kernel Generation

Gmail's AI Email Summarization: Useful but Disableable

2025-05-30

Gmail's AI Email Summarization: Useful but Disableable

Gmail now uses AI to automatically generate email summaries, leveraging Transformer architecture. While accuracy depends on email content, this feature might be unnecessary for most. To disable it, go to Gmail app settings and turn off 'smart features,' though this also disables other convenient features like high-priority notifications and Smart Reply. This feature is off by default in Europe and Japan.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech email summarization

Beyond Vibe Coding: A Responsible Approach to AI-Assisted Development

2025-05-30

Beyond Vibe Coding: A Responsible Approach to AI-Assisted Development

The allure of 'vibe coding,' using AI to rapidly generate code without understanding fundamentals, is prevalent. However, this approach, exemplified by a recent incident exposing an API key due to neglecting security basics, is deeply flawed. The author argues that while AI tools accelerate development, they shouldn't replace core programming knowledge, planning, and testing. True AI-assisted development involves intentional design, thorough understanding of the code's function, and rigorous testing to prevent security vulnerabilities and ensure reliable software. It's about using AI to enhance, not replace, good development practices.

(newsletter.oberai.dev)

Development Development Process

Mercury's Meteoric Rise and Regulatory Reckoning

2025-05-30

Mercury's Meteoric Rise and Regulatory Reckoning

Fintech startup Mercury's rapid growth, fueled by its frictionless account opening and lightning-fast service, attracted hundreds of thousands of customers and billions of dollars in deposits. However, its disregard for compliance and tolerance for high-risk clients led to regulatory actions against its banking partners, even threatening insolvency. The article exposes Mercury's negligence in customer due diligence and transaction monitoring, along with its CEO's apparent contempt for compliance, ultimately fracturing its relationships with multiple banks. This raises crucial questions about balancing rapid Fintech expansion with regulatory adherence.

(fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com)

Startup Regulatory Risk Rapid Growth

Jerry Lewis' Lost Holocaust Film 'The Day the Clown Cried' Found After 45 Years

2025-05-30

Jerry Lewis' Lost Holocaust Film 'The Day the Clown Cried' Found After 45 Years

One of cinema's most sought-after lost films, Jerry Lewis' controversial Holocaust film 'The Day the Clown Cried,' has resurfaced after 45 years. Swedish actor Hans Crispin claims he stole a complete workprint in 1980 and has been privately screening it ever since. The film, shot in 1972 but never released, depicts a German circus clown in a Nazi concentration camp forced to lure children to their deaths. While Lewis himself had mixed feelings about the film, Crispin intends to make his copy available, hoping to preserve and share this historically significant, yet disturbing, piece of cinema history.

(www.thenationalnews.com)

Misc lost film jerry lewis

Your Irritability: A Founder's Secret Weapon

2025-05-30

Your Irritability: A Founder's Secret Weapon

The author argues that frustration isn't a flaw, but rather a powerful radar for identifying problems. Numerous examples illustrate how minor annoyances – from bad font choices to buggy apps – are actually opportunities. The author's entrepreneurial journey showcases how these irritations fueled the creation of an AI-powered podcast, a PR software, and an AI research curation platform. The core message: embrace your irritation as a source of inspiration and innovation.

(www.jeetmehta.com)

Startup

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