The Leaderboard
Our ultra-fast Daily: Three takes on new products. Yesterday’s top ten launches. That’s it.
New app taking over college campuses 👀🌴
Greg Isenberg started his first company at age 13 and sold his previous one to StumbleUpon in 2013. He recently raised $1.85m from Greylock and others for his new app, after living on college campuses for the past year. Greg is here to share what he's learned with the community.
Getting a social app to go viral on college is the holy grail. Facebook, Tinder, Snapchat have used universities to propel themselves to billion dollar companies.
When we were the midst of launching Islands (Slack for College), I decided to haul my 28 year old a$$ back to college to go live among our users. It was the best decision I made. The insights were invaluable. Here’s a few:
1. Snap Map is quietly taking over college. “Where’s Sarah right now?”, “is Jimmy hanging with Michelle?” “Is the bar busy?” It’s the defacto FBI tool on campus. 🕵️
2. GroupMe is still one of the top 4 social apps on campus. Yes, you totally read that correctly, I repeat GroupMe (owned by Microsoft) is still an incredibly popular communication tool. Its uses range from class to greek life. 🗣
3. Snapchat stories is far from dead. What you put on your Instagram stories is very different then what you put on your Snapchat stories. Snap is still way more personal, Insta is way more curated. There is room for both. 👯
4. Other apps that have momentum right now: Bumble, Facetune (mostly women using it), Picolo (drinking game), Starbucks (50% of students using the app for payments over cash/debit). 🔥
These insights helped our company position who we are and who we want to be. At Islands, we’re reinventing how college students find each other, connect with communities, be in the know and build movements. We’re the social tissue of college.
The biggest hackathon in history starts today 😛
Today we’re kicking off a month-long, online, global hackathon! This is the biggest hackathon in the history of hackathons, if you don't count NASA's International Space Apps Challenge (we think).
Quick stats: There are over 4,000 participants across 124 countries, and over $250,000 in prizes up for grabs. This is a true testament to the global Product Hunt community. 🌏 😻
If you're looking for teammates: Mubs built a site that connects hackers from around the world. Join the official hackathon Facebook Group which has over 900 members/potential teammates as of now.
If you're looking for an idea: there's an API for everything, and take a look at the thread of most requested side projects (and feel free to add your own ideas!)
Fun fact: More than 50% of participants said they want to build something for social good when they signed up. 🙏
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Potential hackathon ideas to work on:
📞 On-demand empathy. When feeling down, depressed, or lonely press a button and receive a call from a kind human.
🤖 A bot to diversify your Twitter following. A bot that intros two people with different backgrounds (geo, demo, etc.) that share interests.
💰 Amazon Dash Buttons for charities. A physical button that donates $5 to select charities (e.g. @charitywater) when pressed.
✏️ Genius for crypto. Community-powered whitepaper annotations and analysis for upcoming ICOs.
💦 Soylent for sparkling water. Open sourced bubbly beverages to compete with LaCroix.
Big thanks to AWS, Stripe, Slack, Dribbble, Girls in Tech, Indie Hackers, Google Assistant, Glitch, and TechCrunch for being a part of this. 🙌
Quick stats: There are over 4,000 participants across 124 countries, and over $250,000 in prizes up for grabs. This is a true testament to the global Product Hunt community. 🌏 😻
If you're looking for teammates: Mubs built a site that connects hackers from around the world. Join the official hackathon Facebook Group which has over 900 members/potential teammates as of now.
If you're looking for an idea: there's an API for everything, and take a look at the thread of most requested side projects (and feel free to add your own ideas!)
Fun fact: More than 50% of participants said they want to build something for social good when they signed up. 🙏
---
Potential hackathon ideas to work on:
📞 On-demand empathy. When feeling down, depressed, or lonely press a button and receive a call from a kind human.
🤖 A bot to diversify your Twitter following. A bot that intros two people with different backgrounds (geo, demo, etc.) that share interests.
💰 Amazon Dash Buttons for charities. A physical button that donates $5 to select charities (e.g. @charitywater) when pressed.
✏️ Genius for crypto. Community-powered whitepaper annotations and analysis for upcoming ICOs.
💦 Soylent for sparkling water. Open sourced bubbly beverages to compete with LaCroix.
Big thanks to AWS, Stripe, Slack, Dribbble, Girls in Tech, Indie Hackers, Google Assistant, Glitch, and TechCrunch for being a part of this. 🙌
Be Scary Productive. 🎃💪
Today is Halloween, the best day of the year according to the Stranger Things kids. You'll be happy to know a new app was just released that helps you carve the perfect pumpkin, because it's 2017 and augmented reality is useful for these kinds of things. 🎃
If you'd rather stay focused we respect you decision. Do not download the Scary Camera Effects app that transforms your photos into frightening horror movie scenes. Do install the Scary Productive Chrome extension that will make you “sh*t your pants” whenever you (or your office neighbor 😉) visits a site to procrastinate.
P.S. If you need any last minute costume ideas Famous Outfits will have you looking like your favorite celebrity (affordably) and these printable Halloween masks are pretty neat. 🎭
If you'd rather stay focused we respect you decision. Do not download the Scary Camera Effects app that transforms your photos into frightening horror movie scenes. Do install the Scary Productive Chrome extension that will make you “sh*t your pants” whenever you (or your office neighbor 😉) visits a site to procrastinate.
P.S. If you need any last minute costume ideas Famous Outfits will have you looking like your favorite celebrity (affordably) and these printable Halloween masks are pretty neat. 🎭
Brain-enhancing music for work 🎧
The right type of audio can help you focus when you really need to. Grab your AirPods (if you can find them) and fire up your Spotify Time Capsule, or, you can achieve your goals in an enhanced state of mind. 🎶
• Brain.fm’s AI-powered audio tracks are like a mind-focusing drug
• FocusMusicFM has an endless stream of (EDM) music for work
• Chill N' Sound mixes ambient sounds to boost your productivity
• Noizio plays ambient background sounds from your Mac's menubar
• Tide is a slick app that combines a focus timer with sounds of nature
• GitHub Audio generates calming work music based on your GitHub
For more, check out the Brain Music collection on Product Hunt.
• Brain.fm’s AI-powered audio tracks are like a mind-focusing drug
• FocusMusicFM has an endless stream of (EDM) music for work
• Chill N' Sound mixes ambient sounds to boost your productivity
• Noizio plays ambient background sounds from your Mac's menubar
• Tide is a slick app that combines a focus timer with sounds of nature
• GitHub Audio generates calming work music based on your GitHub
For more, check out the Brain Music collection on Product Hunt.
Strangest Products Ever. 🌀
Happy holiday! Today is Stranger Things Season 2 Day. The Netflix hit series has been available for more than 7 hours and some of you may have already binged to the end
How to celebrate and look cool in front of your friends:
Create your own Stranger Things header. Makers Make! Drink LaCroix! The possibilities are endless. So many things could go viral on this special day. Create your own, and tag @ProductHunt. We'll RT the best.
Play the Stranger Things game on iPhone and Android. Warning: it will trigger your childhood memories, nostalgia at it's best. 👌
EVEN Stranger Things. This site uses AI to turn your photo into a strange poster. Stranger Cat will make your day.😸
You can also play the unofficial game and re-imagine what 1983 would be like with Stranger Games. 👾
How to celebrate and look cool in front of your friends:
Create your own Stranger Things header. Makers Make! Drink LaCroix! The possibilities are endless. So many things could go viral on this special day. Create your own, and tag @ProductHunt. We'll RT the best.
Play the Stranger Things game on iPhone and Android. Warning: it will trigger your childhood memories, nostalgia at it's best. 👌
EVEN Stranger Things. This site uses AI to turn your photo into a strange poster. Stranger Cat will make your day.😸
You can also play the unofficial game and re-imagine what 1983 would be like with Stranger Games. 👾
The Ultimate Marketing Stack for Startups 📈
The top products the other day included AppGrowthLab and GrowthHackList. Both are particularly useful if your startup doesn't have a marketing department and Don Draper is busy with bigger clients.
We put together a collection of The Ultimate Marketing Stack for startups – perfect for developers and non-growth hackers alike.
📈 The BAMF Bible has 25+ of the best growth hacks from 2017. The team just launched a step-by-step LinkedIn Hacking Guide.
📸 Unsplash has beautiful free photos, gifted by a generous community of photographers. For heavy use, try Unsplash's Bulk Downloader.
💌 Good Email Copy is a list of email templates from the best companies, while the Timing Optimizer shows you the perfect time to send them.
⛵️ Ship (by us!) is the best (imho) way to build an email list and communicate with your users.
📗 Marketing for Developers is a book for programmers who want to learn marketing. Tiny Marketing Wins also deserves a shout out.
🚀 App Launch Checklist is the ultimate planning tool for launching your app successfully. This can also help. 🐱
We put together a collection of The Ultimate Marketing Stack for startups – perfect for developers and non-growth hackers alike.
📈 The BAMF Bible has 25+ of the best growth hacks from 2017. The team just launched a step-by-step LinkedIn Hacking Guide.
📸 Unsplash has beautiful free photos, gifted by a generous community of photographers. For heavy use, try Unsplash's Bulk Downloader.
💌 Good Email Copy is a list of email templates from the best companies, while the Timing Optimizer shows you the perfect time to send them.
⛵️ Ship (by us!) is the best (imho) way to build an email list and communicate with your users.
📗 Marketing for Developers is a book for programmers who want to learn marketing. Tiny Marketing Wins also deserves a shout out.
🚀 App Launch Checklist is the ultimate planning tool for launching your app successfully. This can also help. 🐱
Amazon wants to let strangers into your home 👀
This morning Bezos and team announced Amazon Key, an in-home camera and smart lock. As expected, the news was met with hugs and disgust.
“Hell no. There’s no way I’m letting a stranger into my home.” – 😐 Person on the Internet.
Regardless of your position, Amazon’s chess move to get a key to your door is brilliant. This gives the “A” in FANG (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, and Google) a gateway to in-home services, including:
🍎 Grocery delivery
🐶 Dog walking
✨ House cleaning
👵 Elderly care
🛠 Home repairs
Amazon’s playing a very long game. The seeds planted today will enable a new wave of exciting (and society altering) automation as robots clean your home, walk your dog, and deliver eggs.
If you’re looking for a security camera but not ready to give strangers a key to your home, check out this $19.99 smart camera. It’s #3 on Product Hunt today.
“Hell no. There’s no way I’m letting a stranger into my home.” – 😐 Person on the Internet.
Regardless of your position, Amazon’s chess move to get a key to your door is brilliant. This gives the “A” in FANG (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, and Google) a gateway to in-home services, including:
🍎 Grocery delivery
🐶 Dog walking
✨ House cleaning
👵 Elderly care
🛠 Home repairs
Amazon’s playing a very long game. The seeds planted today will enable a new wave of exciting (and society altering) automation as robots clean your home, walk your dog, and deliver eggs.
If you’re looking for a security camera but not ready to give strangers a key to your home, check out this $19.99 smart camera. It’s #3 on Product Hunt today.
Stealth startup raised $60M for Excel-killer ☠️
After 3 years in stealth, Coda launched their “Excel killer” to the world.
Founded by two Google Alums, the company just raised $60M (!!!) from top investors like Greylock, Khosla Ventures, and General Catalyst to rethink how we approach documents. Reid Hoffman is joining the Board.
The space is competitive, with Word, Excel, Docs, Sheets, and up and comers like: AirTable, Quip, Notion, and Canvas all in there, while the latest newcomer – the one app to rule them all – just launched 3 weeks ago and racked up 4,100+ upvotes already). 👀
Coda takes a different approach, integrating everything you need to create a personal CRM, organize tasks, and more. Unfortunately, no AR integration (yet!?). For that, download this app.
Founded by two Google Alums, the company just raised $60M (!!!) from top investors like Greylock, Khosla Ventures, and General Catalyst to rethink how we approach documents. Reid Hoffman is joining the Board.
The space is competitive, with Word, Excel, Docs, Sheets, and up and comers like: AirTable, Quip, Notion, and Canvas all in there, while the latest newcomer – the one app to rule them all – just launched 3 weeks ago and racked up 4,100+ upvotes already). 👀
Coda takes a different approach, integrating everything you need to create a personal CRM, organize tasks, and more. Unfortunately, no AR integration (yet!?). For that, download this app.
You’re invited! Join the Global Hackathon 🌎
We're excited to announce the Product Hunt Global Hackathon! 🚀
Starting November 1st, we’re kicking off a month-long, global, online hackathon. Everyone in the community can participate, and you’ll have the entire month to collaborate, get feedback, and refine your product.
There are over $250,000 in prizes. Including $100k in AWS credits, tickets to TechCrunch Disrupt, and Slack is giving away two iPhone X’s (or a lunch with Stewart Butterfield).
We have an accomplished cast of judges, including Michael Seibel (CEO of Y Combinator), Alexis Ohanian (Reddit cofounder), Cyan Banister (Partner at Founders Fund), and Sarah Tavel (Partner at Benchmark). Check out the full list of judges.
Anyone with a computer is welcome to participate, from solo makers to teams of people. Everyone will get free access to Ship, our new toolkit to help makers build awesome products, and you’re welcome to build anything you like.
Important Dates: October 29th is the deadline to sign-up. November 1st the hackathon starts. December 7th winners are announced. 🏆
Read more on Medium. Sign-up at: producthunt.com/hackathon
This will be the biggest hackathon we've ever put on. Thank you to our awesome partners: AWS, Stripe, Slack, Dribbble, Girls in Tech, Google Assistant, Glitch, Indie Hackers, and TechCrunch.
Starting November 1st, we’re kicking off a month-long, global, online hackathon. Everyone in the community can participate, and you’ll have the entire month to collaborate, get feedback, and refine your product.
There are over $250,000 in prizes. Including $100k in AWS credits, tickets to TechCrunch Disrupt, and Slack is giving away two iPhone X’s (or a lunch with Stewart Butterfield).
We have an accomplished cast of judges, including Michael Seibel (CEO of Y Combinator), Alexis Ohanian (Reddit cofounder), Cyan Banister (Partner at Founders Fund), and Sarah Tavel (Partner at Benchmark). Check out the full list of judges.
Anyone with a computer is welcome to participate, from solo makers to teams of people. Everyone will get free access to Ship, our new toolkit to help makers build awesome products, and you’re welcome to build anything you like.
Important Dates: October 29th is the deadline to sign-up. November 1st the hackathon starts. December 7th winners are announced. 🏆
Read more on Medium. Sign-up at: producthunt.com/hackathon
This will be the biggest hackathon we've ever put on. Thank you to our awesome partners: AWS, Stripe, Slack, Dribbble, Girls in Tech, Google Assistant, Glitch, Indie Hackers, and TechCrunch.
Best Medium Stories Ever. 👏
There's plenty of quality content on Medium. To find the best, explore Top Medium Stories. The site showcases the most clapped stories ever written, filtered by year, and updated daily. It’s all quality content. It’s the Product Hunt Time Travel of Medium Stories.
Here are the most popular posts going back to 2013:
👏 6k – The Evolution of a Software Engineer (2013)
👏👏 16.9k – Tricks to Appear Smart During Meetings (2014)
👏👏👏 33k – for 37 Best Websites to Learn Something New (2015)
👏👏👏👏 60k – 13 Things You Should Give Up... (2016)
👏👏👏👏👏 117k – Our redesign of Medium’s Claps… (2017)
The most clapped article ever was written this year, where designer Jason Li showed how a "clapper slider" would be more effective than pressing the clap icon 50x to get to 50.
Most notably, the 2nd most clapped article of all-time was published just last week! "The Rock Test" – with 72k claps – in which @TheRock himself chimed in offering hugs for the Product Hunt team.
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A Challenge: We can make How to Launch on Product Hunt the most clapped Medium post of all-time. 🚀
Incentive: Knowing that your contribution resulted in a historic moment on the Internet. 🏆
Bonus: Install Medium Clapper prior to make your claps heard. 🔊
Here are the most popular posts going back to 2013:
👏 6k – The Evolution of a Software Engineer (2013)
👏👏 16.9k – Tricks to Appear Smart During Meetings (2014)
👏👏👏 33k – for 37 Best Websites to Learn Something New (2015)
👏👏👏👏 60k – 13 Things You Should Give Up... (2016)
👏👏👏👏👏 117k – Our redesign of Medium’s Claps… (2017)
The most clapped article ever was written this year, where designer Jason Li showed how a "clapper slider" would be more effective than pressing the clap icon 50x to get to 50.
Most notably, the 2nd most clapped article of all-time was published just last week! "The Rock Test" – with 72k claps – in which @TheRock himself chimed in offering hugs for the Product Hunt team.
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A Challenge: We can make How to Launch on Product Hunt the most clapped Medium post of all-time. 🚀
Incentive: Knowing that your contribution resulted in a historic moment on the Internet. 🏆
Bonus: Install Medium Clapper prior to make your claps heard. 🔊
