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Our ultra-fast Daily: Three takes on new products. Yesterday’s top ten launches. That’s it.
Epic founder stories 🤑📈
You won't become a founder by reading a book, but you can learn from other people’s challenges, successes, and journey starting up.
This collection of Founder Stories has some interesting resources to learn from as you navigate through your own journey in startups.
Notable highlights:
• The Careers of the Founders (a timeline)
• Visual Biographies (infographics)
• The Speed of a Unicorn (not miles per hour)
• From Millions to Billions (see image above)
Lastly, learn how makers are writing their own paychecks. 🤑
This collection of Founder Stories has some interesting resources to learn from as you navigate through your own journey in startups.
Notable highlights:
• The Careers of the Founders (a timeline)
• Visual Biographies (infographics)
• The Speed of a Unicorn (not miles per hour)
• From Millions to Billions (see image above)
Lastly, learn how makers are writing their own paychecks. 🤑
Must-download apps for your Mac 🍎
Other than the usual suspects of Chrome, Dropbox, Spotify, and your pick of non-Apple made email client, what are the first apps you download when setting up your new Mac?
We asked the Product Hunt community and found some great under the radar apps. A few interesting trends also came about...
1) Mac users LOVE menu bar apps. Many responded recommending Caffeine, Alfred, and f.lux.
2) macOS really needs to come with a built-in windows organizer. Popular solutions include: Spectacle, Magnet, and BetterSnap.
3) The ubiquity of Slack means that Slack-like :emoji: commands are now essential, in every app. Rocket does just that.
4) Use a password manager... especially after it feels like everybody is losing your personal data. 1Password was recommended a lot.
5) Download this app last.
We asked the Product Hunt community and found some great under the radar apps. A few interesting trends also came about...
1) Mac users LOVE menu bar apps. Many responded recommending Caffeine, Alfred, and f.lux.
2) macOS really needs to come with a built-in windows organizer. Popular solutions include: Spectacle, Magnet, and BetterSnap.
3) The ubiquity of Slack means that Slack-like :emoji: commands are now essential, in every app. Rocket does just that.
4) Use a password manager... especially after it feels like everybody is losing your personal data. 1Password was recommended a lot.
5) Download this app last.
We made a mistake.
We made a mistake.
On Wednesday we shared GitHub's new Actions tool, or "the biggest thing since the Pull Request." It helps developers automate their workflows.
However, we and many others missed GitHub’s most important launch.
You can now design your own Octocat, with GitHub's new mascot generator. Mona the Octocat has famously taken on dozens of personalities already, so now's your chance to join the ranks of Steve Jobs, Mario, and Finn. 😻
GitHub’s pivot into avatars is quite surprising. Why would the wildly popular developer platform enter such a crowded space? How could they possibly compete with MyIdol, the creepiest app to come out of China? Or Genies, a Bitmoji competitor that raised $15M pre-launch? Or this new app that turns you into Iron Man and other famous movie characters?
But seriously, everyone wants to own the avatar because the avatar is a gateway to online identity. So, embrace the future and turn yourself into an Octocat. 😺
On Wednesday we shared GitHub's new Actions tool, or "the biggest thing since the Pull Request." It helps developers automate their workflows.
However, we and many others missed GitHub’s most important launch.
You can now design your own Octocat, with GitHub's new mascot generator. Mona the Octocat has famously taken on dozens of personalities already, so now's your chance to join the ranks of Steve Jobs, Mario, and Finn. 😻
GitHub’s pivot into avatars is quite surprising. Why would the wildly popular developer platform enter such a crowded space? How could they possibly compete with MyIdol, the creepiest app to come out of China? Or Genies, a Bitmoji competitor that raised $15M pre-launch? Or this new app that turns you into Iron Man and other famous movie characters?
But seriously, everyone wants to own the avatar because the avatar is a gateway to online identity. So, embrace the future and turn yourself into an Octocat. 😺
Y Combinator reveals its Top 100 startups
Yesterday Michael Seibel, Y Combinator CEO and guest on the illustrious Product Hunt Radio podcast, revealed the top 100 YC companies by valuation.
“Most people know that Dropbox and Airbnb are YC companies, but they might be surprised by many of the other companies on the list.”
More than 28K jobs and $100B in enterprise value was created from these 100 companies. Impressive. Top of the list:
1. Airbnb. The $30B traveling platform continues to expand globally and introduce new features like Experiences.
2. Stripe. Earlier this year the company raised another $245M and introduced Issuing to make credit card issuing easy.
3. Cruise. Acquired by GM in 2016, the autonomous vehicle company may have sold too soon, considering their most recent valuation puts it at $14B.
Explore the full list here. 💥
“Most people know that Dropbox and Airbnb are YC companies, but they might be surprised by many of the other companies on the list.”
More than 28K jobs and $100B in enterprise value was created from these 100 companies. Impressive. Top of the list:
1. Airbnb. The $30B traveling platform continues to expand globally and introduce new features like Experiences.
2. Stripe. Earlier this year the company raised another $245M and introduced Issuing to make credit card issuing easy.
3. Cruise. Acquired by GM in 2016, the autonomous vehicle company may have sold too soon, considering their most recent valuation puts it at $14B.
Explore the full list here. 💥
"Biggest thing since the pull request."
"This is the biggest thing we’ve done since the pull request." 😮
GitHub Actions launched yesterday to help developers automate their entire development workflows. Instead of jumping between ten different services every time you want run a workflow, you can set up an Action once. It's like having a magic code butler do all of the boring stuff, so you can focus on building.
Just like repos, they're also shareable and discoverable. While the tool is currently in private beta, expect thousands of open-sourced Actions to start popping up across the GitHub universe.
The launch comes as Microsoft finalizes their $7.5B acquisition of GitHub, setting their sights on GitHub's massive developer community. Microsoft is doubling down on open-source software, opening up their 60,000 patents to end the Linux patent wars just last week.
"We are not buying GitHub to turn it into Microsoft; we are buying GitHub because we believe in the importance of developers.” This comes from GitHub's incoming CEO Nat Friedman in a Reddit AMA.
You don't need to code to use tools like Actions. There's a whole suite of tools to help you automate everything at home and work:
• Apple's Shortcuts lets you automate your day-to-day from your iPhone. Built on top of Workflow, which Apple acquired last year, Shortcuts are deeply integrated into iOS 12 and Siri to let you trigger dozens of apps with one button-press. Get directions to your next calendar event, for instance.
• IFTTT helps your various apps and tools talk to each other with their drag-and-drop interface and thousands of pre-built recipes. The possibilities are endless: automatically turning on your lights when the pizza guy shows up, automatically post a photo to all of your various social medias, or even trigger a phone call to yourself to get you out of an awkward situation. 😬
• Zapier connects 500+ web apps to help you work better. Trigger email campaigns from Mailchimp when you add new prospects to a Google Sheet or HubSpot or track bugs reports in Asana.
These are just a few of the many productivity-boosting tools. Explore dozens more right here. Your schedule will thank you. 🙏
GitHub Actions launched yesterday to help developers automate their entire development workflows. Instead of jumping between ten different services every time you want run a workflow, you can set up an Action once. It's like having a magic code butler do all of the boring stuff, so you can focus on building.
Just like repos, they're also shareable and discoverable. While the tool is currently in private beta, expect thousands of open-sourced Actions to start popping up across the GitHub universe.
The launch comes as Microsoft finalizes their $7.5B acquisition of GitHub, setting their sights on GitHub's massive developer community. Microsoft is doubling down on open-source software, opening up their 60,000 patents to end the Linux patent wars just last week.
"We are not buying GitHub to turn it into Microsoft; we are buying GitHub because we believe in the importance of developers.” This comes from GitHub's incoming CEO Nat Friedman in a Reddit AMA.
You don't need to code to use tools like Actions. There's a whole suite of tools to help you automate everything at home and work:
• Apple's Shortcuts lets you automate your day-to-day from your iPhone. Built on top of Workflow, which Apple acquired last year, Shortcuts are deeply integrated into iOS 12 and Siri to let you trigger dozens of apps with one button-press. Get directions to your next calendar event, for instance.
• IFTTT helps your various apps and tools talk to each other with their drag-and-drop interface and thousands of pre-built recipes. The possibilities are endless: automatically turning on your lights when the pizza guy shows up, automatically post a photo to all of your various social medias, or even trigger a phone call to yourself to get you out of an awkward situation. 😬
• Zapier connects 500+ web apps to help you work better. Trigger email campaigns from Mailchimp when you add new prospects to a Google Sheet or HubSpot or track bugs reports in Asana.
These are just a few of the many productivity-boosting tools. Explore dozens more right here. Your schedule will thank you. 🙏
The LaCroix of weed soda 🌿
Your next soda could have cannabis in it. 😮
A new generation of food founders are infusing sodas, beers, and snacks with cannabidiol (often known as CBD) to alleviate pain, inflammation, depression, anxiety, stress and other illnesses.
CBD isn't "new." The compound was first extracted from cannabis in the 40's by Harvard chemist Roger Adams, who thought it was completely useless and moved on to other research. His work was picked up in the 60's, leading to the worldwide CBD craze sweeping your local convenience store. Poor Roger. 😢
CBD can be infused into really anything. The extract doesn't include THC, which is what causes the psychoactive symptoms associated with getting high, and makes it legal in all 50 states. Don't be surprised if you see CBD offered at your local indie coffee shop. ☕
A new CBD soda just launched yesterday: DRAM's Lemongrass CBD Sparkling Water is exactly what it sounds like, and it ships anywhere in the US. There are THC varieties too: California Dreamin' went through Y Combinator last year and is selling in dispensaries across California. Eaze has raised $50M+ to deliver cannabis products directly to your door.
Or... if you want to grow everything yourself, LEAF is an automated plug-n'-plant cannabis grower for your house. It's even won an illustrious Golden Kitty in 2016.
A new generation of food founders are infusing sodas, beers, and snacks with cannabidiol (often known as CBD) to alleviate pain, inflammation, depression, anxiety, stress and other illnesses.
CBD isn't "new." The compound was first extracted from cannabis in the 40's by Harvard chemist Roger Adams, who thought it was completely useless and moved on to other research. His work was picked up in the 60's, leading to the worldwide CBD craze sweeping your local convenience store. Poor Roger. 😢
CBD can be infused into really anything. The extract doesn't include THC, which is what causes the psychoactive symptoms associated with getting high, and makes it legal in all 50 states. Don't be surprised if you see CBD offered at your local indie coffee shop. ☕
A new CBD soda just launched yesterday: DRAM's Lemongrass CBD Sparkling Water is exactly what it sounds like, and it ships anywhere in the US. There are THC varieties too: California Dreamin' went through Y Combinator last year and is selling in dispensaries across California. Eaze has raised $50M+ to deliver cannabis products directly to your door.
Or... if you want to grow everything yourself, LEAF is an automated plug-n'-plant cannabis grower for your house. It's even won an illustrious Golden Kitty in 2016.
Real-life ad blockers 🕶️
Real-life adblockers have arrived.
Just launched this weekend, these nifty "IRL" glasses block out any screens. They were designed after the movie THEY LIVE, a 1998 cult classic where the protagonist finds a magical pair of glasses that blocks ads. 😂
This might seem farfetched, but a massive wave of digital IRL advertisments are coming soon. Grabb-It (YC '18) and Vugo put screens on Ubers to sell you stuff during your ride. They can even target specific ads based on the car's location, which means your ride home on Friday night could soon be pushing hangover cures (like this one).
Ads aren't necessarily bad. Consumers and businesses typically benefit when underutilized assets (like your attention!) are unlocked. For example, your Uber rides will likely become cheaper as car-based ads grow around the world. Advertisers get access to a new marketing channel, and drivers can supplement driving income with advertising revenue. Win for everybody.
But... unlike digital ads on websites, it's much harder to ignore these digital IRL advertisments. They catch our eye with flashy animations and famous faces, placed strategically in places that we can't avoid. For those of us who prefer to focus, the new IRL glasses might save the day. 😎
Just launched this weekend, these nifty "IRL" glasses block out any screens. They were designed after the movie THEY LIVE, a 1998 cult classic where the protagonist finds a magical pair of glasses that blocks ads. 😂
This might seem farfetched, but a massive wave of digital IRL advertisments are coming soon. Grabb-It (YC '18) and Vugo put screens on Ubers to sell you stuff during your ride. They can even target specific ads based on the car's location, which means your ride home on Friday night could soon be pushing hangover cures (like this one).
Ads aren't necessarily bad. Consumers and businesses typically benefit when underutilized assets (like your attention!) are unlocked. For example, your Uber rides will likely become cheaper as car-based ads grow around the world. Advertisers get access to a new marketing channel, and drivers can supplement driving income with advertising revenue. Win for everybody.
But... unlike digital ads on websites, it's much harder to ignore these digital IRL advertisments. They catch our eye with flashy animations and famous faces, placed strategically in places that we can't avoid. For those of us who prefer to focus, the new IRL glasses might save the day. 😎
A new Twitter app to fight the algorithm 🐦
The first tweet was sent on March 21st, 2006 by CEO Jack Dorsey.
From that very first "just setting up my twittr," hundreds of billions of tweets lived together in harmony. Then... everything changed when The Algorithm attacked. Only third party developers, masters of every user demand, could stop it, but when the world needed them most, they vanished. 😮
Well, they didn't quite vanish. In August, Twitter announced sweeping changes to their API that broke most of the features in award-winning Twitter clients like Tweetbot and Tweetdeck. And while Twitter brought back the chronological timeline last month, power users still aren't pleased.
A new third party developer is here to save the world. Zach Hamed just launched Macaw, a new Twitter client that surfaces the top-liked tweets from your network. Macaw focuses on tweets and users that you *should* follow, rather than tweets and users you already follow:
"If 5 of the people who you follow like a particular tweet, chances are good that you should read that tweet. Same with users: if a lot of the people you follow suddenly start following a user, chances are good you might want to follow them."
Zach isn't alone trying to fix Twitter. Earlier this year, Sindre Sorhus launched Refined Twitter, which strips out all ads and algorithmic tweets. Mastodon, Peepeth, Afari, and Leeroy are rebuilding a decentralized Twitter on the blockchain. Oh, and this fancy Emoji Tweeter lets 👏 you 👏 type 👏 like 👏 this.
From that very first "just setting up my twittr," hundreds of billions of tweets lived together in harmony. Then... everything changed when The Algorithm attacked. Only third party developers, masters of every user demand, could stop it, but when the world needed them most, they vanished. 😮
Well, they didn't quite vanish. In August, Twitter announced sweeping changes to their API that broke most of the features in award-winning Twitter clients like Tweetbot and Tweetdeck. And while Twitter brought back the chronological timeline last month, power users still aren't pleased.
A new third party developer is here to save the world. Zach Hamed just launched Macaw, a new Twitter client that surfaces the top-liked tweets from your network. Macaw focuses on tweets and users that you *should* follow, rather than tweets and users you already follow:
"If 5 of the people who you follow like a particular tweet, chances are good that you should read that tweet. Same with users: if a lot of the people you follow suddenly start following a user, chances are good you might want to follow them."
Zach isn't alone trying to fix Twitter. Earlier this year, Sindre Sorhus launched Refined Twitter, which strips out all ads and algorithmic tweets. Mastodon, Peepeth, Afari, and Leeroy are rebuilding a decentralized Twitter on the blockchain. Oh, and this fancy Emoji Tweeter lets 👏 you 👏 type 👏 like 👏 this.
Finally, a tool to enable Dark Mode for every website 🌚
Night mode is the best when burning the midnight oil in front of the LCD. Unfortunately, most sites don’t offer this option to night owls.
Frustratingly, not every website has a Night Mode available... until now.
Dark Reader is an extension that turns every website into Night Mode. It's magical, and newly available for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari lovers. There are also specific extensions for GitHub, Medium, Google, and Messenger.
Dark Reader is an extension that turns every website into Night Mode. It's magical, and newly available for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari lovers. There are also specific extensions for GitHub, Medium, Google, and Messenger.
This isn't the only extension built to make your web browsing better:
🐦 Refined Twitter is the Twitter we've always wanted. Embedded Instagram pictures, a chronological feed, and auto-loaded new tweets.
🐱 Refined GitHub linkifies issue/PR references in code, comments in titles, marks issues and PRs as unread, preserves Markdown, and much much more. Open-source serial-maker Sindre Sorhus is behind both Refined GitHub and Twitter.
📚 Refined Medium strips away all the clutter so you can read in peace. Available for Chrome and Firefox. Trendbar also sorts the best stories by claps, categories, and dates.
📚 Refined Medium strips away all the clutter so you can read in peace. Available for Chrome and Firefox. Trendbar also sorts the best stories by claps, categories, and dates.
📑 Toby cleans up your browser tabs. No more tab hoarding!
😬 Grammarly for Chrome prevents typos in yur importnt emaails.
Everything Google launched yesterday 📱📸
Google launched three devices yesterday, taking on Apple, Amazon, and FB.
The first: the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, the newest generation of Google's flagship Android smartphone. Both come with slimmed down bezels, wireless charging, and AI-powered dual front cameras with nifty new camera modes like Night Sight, Super Res Zoom, and Top Shot that takes a burst of photos and automatically selects the best one.
Cool thing: Google's voice AI (dubbed Duplex) will automatically screen calls from suspected spammers, just like a personal assistant, singlehandedly bringing voicemail into the 21st century.
The smaller 5.5" Pixel 3 sells for $799, with the larger 6.3" Pixel 3 XL coming in at $899. Pre-orders are live. 📱
The second: the Google Home Hub, their newest addition to the Google Home family. It comes with a 7" screen to display the weather, upcoming appointments, and cat videos on YouTube.
At $149, this new device directly competes with the Amazon Echo Show ($229+) and the contentious Facebook Portal ($199+). We'll have to wait and see who wins the battle for your kitchen counter. 🏘️
The third: the new Google Pixel Slate, their most recent attempt to kill the iPad. The Chrome OS tablet comes with a 3000×2000 display, 8-16GB of RAM, front and rear cameras, and will ship later in 2018 for $599+. Biggest heartbreak: it does not have a headphone jack. 😢
The timing for the entire event is odd. Just yesterday, Google killed Google+ and disclosed a security incident that exposed 500,000+ user's personal data to third parties. Facebook just launched their own Facebook Portal on Monday. Maybe somebody got their wires crossed. 🤷♂️
The first: the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, the newest generation of Google's flagship Android smartphone. Both come with slimmed down bezels, wireless charging, and AI-powered dual front cameras with nifty new camera modes like Night Sight, Super Res Zoom, and Top Shot that takes a burst of photos and automatically selects the best one.
Cool thing: Google's voice AI (dubbed Duplex) will automatically screen calls from suspected spammers, just like a personal assistant, singlehandedly bringing voicemail into the 21st century.
The smaller 5.5" Pixel 3 sells for $799, with the larger 6.3" Pixel 3 XL coming in at $899. Pre-orders are live. 📱
The second: the Google Home Hub, their newest addition to the Google Home family. It comes with a 7" screen to display the weather, upcoming appointments, and cat videos on YouTube.
At $149, this new device directly competes with the Amazon Echo Show ($229+) and the contentious Facebook Portal ($199+). We'll have to wait and see who wins the battle for your kitchen counter. 🏘️
The third: the new Google Pixel Slate, their most recent attempt to kill the iPad. The Chrome OS tablet comes with a 3000×2000 display, 8-16GB of RAM, front and rear cameras, and will ship later in 2018 for $599+. Biggest heartbreak: it does not have a headphone jack. 😢
The timing for the entire event is odd. Just yesterday, Google killed Google+ and disclosed a security incident that exposed 500,000+ user's personal data to third parties. Facebook just launched their own Facebook Portal on Monday. Maybe somebody got their wires crossed. 🤷♂️
