Terry Blanchard

Santana Row shopping center in San Jose has implemented a ticketless parking system that eliminates the need for drivers to take a ticket upon entry and pay at a pay station upon exit. Instead, drivers can simply scan a QR code (see photo) posted throughout the garage using their phones, enter their license plate number and credit card information on the website that pops up, and a camera will read their license plate and open the gate as they exit. While this system may seem convenient and efficient, I think there is a significant security concern! There is a risk that perpetrators could replace the posted QR code with their own, which would redirect drivers to a fake website where they would unknowingly enter their credit card information. This could lead to unauthorized charges and potential identity theft. It is crucial for the shopping center to address this security concern by taking appropriate measures to protect drivers' personal and financial information. They must ensure that the QR codes posted are authentic and that there are no vulnerabilities that could allow perpetrators to manipulate the system. As an alternative solution, pay stations could be installed for shoppers to use instead of relying on their own phones.

33

12 Comments

Exciting Adventures and Tech Discoveries with Waymo Every summer, I visit my sister in California, and we typically explore the beaches, trails, valleys, mountains, and other scenic spots. This time, we decided to dive deeper into the heart of San Francisco, where we stumbled upon a Waymo driverless car. Without missing a beat, we decided to experience it firsthand. Flashback to a few years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when I was preparing for a Machine Learning certificate course and immersing myself in every video by the renowned AI/ML guru Andrew Ng. One of his YouTube videos segued into autonomous cars and the feedback loops used to train and improve these models. That was the moment I became a believer in this technology and its potential to drive new innovations. From the early days of large computers mounted on vans to the millions of Teslas on the road today, the progress has been astounding. Experiencing Waymo's driverless car was a revelation. It's not just a tech marvel; it's a user-centric innovation. From the seamless booking process to the constant updates inside the car, and the personalized touch of displaying my initials "SC" when the car arrived, every detail was meticulously crafted to enhance passenger comfort. The price point was comparable to Uber, which was another pleasant surprise. Ultimately, the success of any product hinges on User Experience, Cost, and Accessibility. Waymo has built a competitive product that I believe will see massive adoption, potentially paving the way for more competitors in this space. My 10-year-old son asked, "When is it coming to West Chester?" That question sums it up perfectly. Here's hoping to see autonomous cars in West Chester, Philly, Palakkad, and everywhere else soon! #Innovation #Technology #AI #AutonomousVehicles #Waymo #UserExperience #FutureOfTransport

40

4 Comments

Some folks look at a new gadget and ask "how does this work"? They're Engineers. Others wonder "how does this break"? They're Quality Engineers. It takes a certain mindset to consider the breadth of conditions that can and will go wrong. It also takes a certain courage to not merely be satisfied that "it works" under load, but push things to their limits and find where and how they start to break, as that is the true test. Not everyone has this mindset. Seek out those who do - they are your Quality Engineers. Need some? Ping me, let's talk!

12

Anthropic's latest Claude AI model is taking human-AI interaction to a whole new level! 🖥️🤖 The new Claude 3.5 Sonnet can now use computers just like a human would - by looking at the screen, moving the cursor, clicking buttons, and typing text. This is a major leap forward in AI capabilities. Key features: Operates based on screenshots, emulating human computer use Can perform complex multi-step tasks across different applications Self-corrects and retries when encountering obstacles2 Accessible via API for developers to build with Why it's game-changing: This opens up incredible possibilities for AI assistance in data entry, form filling, software testing, and automating repetitive computer tasks13. Imagine having an AI assistant that can seamlessly work alongside you, handling tedious computer work while you focus on higher-level tasks. While still in beta, this technology demonstrates how AI is rapidly advancing toward more human-like interaction with digital interfaces. As it develops further, it could revolutionize how we work with computers and boost productivity across industries. The future of human-AI collaboration just got a lot more exciting! What do you think about this new capability? #AIInnovation #FutureOfWork Here is a video about it: https://lnkd.in/gh8aNYEu

6

This is not just any "hey, we are looking for a dev" post. This might be one of the most exciting engineering roles we have ever hired for. Let me explain why: I have the great privilege of being the product lead for the exceptionally brilliant Rendering Engine Team at Miro. Several months ago, we took a bold step to revamp our foundational rendering technology from the ground up, setting an ambitious vision far beyond what Miro is capable of today. Building a highly performant rendering engine for a product like Miro is not trivial though. You are dealing with an infinite 2D canvas with potentially thousands of multimedia objects, all while multiple people collaborate in real-time. We want professionals & creatives to spend the majority of their working days in Miro. Unfortunately, every lag when panning a large planning board, every jiggle effect due to low FPS when zooming out from a large planning session, and every slight delay when selecting hundreds of multimedia objects not only results in lost time but also slight frustration. It's that small, annoying feeling that something felt slightly slow, slightly not instant, slightly irritating. A products performance is not just about the time you lose; it is about the feeling this product gives you. On the other hand, we all know the feeling of delight when you do something complex in a product, and it happens instantaneously. That feeling that no matter what you do, no matter what workload you throw at an application, it will be responsive, fast, and instantaneous. This is what we envision: A rendering engine that continuously surprises you with its snappiness, making work feel light and delightful. We are looking for someone who is as equally annoyed by these issues as we are and wants to take the lead in solving them. We aim to build a rendering engine that raises the bar for what people consider possible on a web-based canvas. A computer graphics professional who wants to take on the challenge of working on a renderer that powers the day-to-day work of millions of users and some of the most creative and innovative companies in the world. If you work in the field of computer graphics and want to contribute to the heart of a product that aims to amplify collaboration and creative work, give it shot. Feel free to DM me for more information or directly apply below:

12

1 Comment

Also, we released a new version of the public beta, which is available in Creative Cloud in the "Beta Apps" section under Applications. No new features this time--we are still iterating on the Assets Library Panel and "Search by Shape" feature, as well as the "Smart Upres" feature. If you haven't tried either of these, please do and let us know what you think! Here is how you can access the beta: https://lnkd.in/gq3uqEdm

3

There's an oft-cited stat from Pendo that 80% of software features are rarely, if ever, used. While it's impossible to know the accuracy of that, it's not hard to believe. I've been part of multiple feature factories, where emphasis was put on new features to 'claim' rather than taking time to ensure we've actually solved the desired problem before moving onto the next. If you're a Product Manager/Leader in the Indy area, join us on August 14 for a conversation around best practices for measuring product success. We'll have food, drinks, and hopefully some great learnings! (Registration link in the comments)

21

3 Comments

If you're wondering how to use AI and events to enable real world workflows like podcast production, my colleague Sean Falconer has written a great blog post showing you how to do this.

4

Want to tease something my team has been working on over at Buffer! The attached image isn't a mockup, but a screenshot of a live prototype of RSS feeds directly in Buffer! It's only available internally and still pretty rough at this point, but we'll have it available for user testing soon. With this enhancement, we hope to help Buffer users easily find new and engaging content to share with their audiences. What do you think? Will RSS feeds in Buffer help you create more content?

19

1 Comment

New Post: Waymo expands robotaxi coverage in Los Angeles and San Francisco - https://lnkd.in/gN2MJTWA - Waymo, the Alphabet-owned self-driving car company, is adding another 10 square miles to its robotaxi service area to include cities surrounding San Francisco.  The move, which adds Daly City, Broadmoor and Colma, pushes its total commercial service territory to about 55 square miles. Waymo said Tuesday it is also adding 16 square miles of new robotaxi © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only. - #news #business #world -------------------------------------------------- #MagicTheGathering #macos #mac #tradingcardgame - SellingIt(.)org ---> https://sellingit.org

1

Caltrain plans to introduce bi-level dual electric and battery-powered train to extend its zero-emission service. These trains will charge their batteries in electrified zones between San Francisco and San Jose and use the stored power for non-electrified segments, such as the extensions to Gilroy. This is the next step in battery-operated vehicles for mass transportation, towards sustainable and eco-friendly transit solutions.#sustainability #transportation

6

A handy visual guide for Product folks about to contemplate and communicate, well, just about anything. As with so much in our domain, simple at surface, elaborate to execute, but priceless when proper.

16

4 Comments

Magic Quill is an innovative AI image editing tool that stands out for its user-friendly interface and advanced capabilities, making it a noteworthy option for anyone interested in digital art or photo editing.Key Features of Magic Quill: AI-Powered Editing: At the core of Magic Quill is its sophisticated AI technology, which allows users to make precise modifications to images. The AI algorithms can intelligently add or remove elements, adjust colors, and refine details, resulting in natural-looking edits that can enhance any visual project. Real-Time Feedback: One of the standout features is the real-time interactive experience. As users make adjustments, they receive immediate visual feedback, which streamlines the editing process. This capability allows for both subtle enhancements and more dramatic transformations without any lag, making it efficient for creative workflows. Intuitive Brush Tools: Magic Quill employs three main brush types—add, subtract, and color—that facilitate easy manipulation of images. Users can add new elements, erase unwanted features, or recolor specific areas with simple strokes, providing a tactile and engaging editing experience. High-Quality Outputs: The tool supports high-resolution image editing, ensuring that the final results are crisp and suitable for professional-grade projects. This feature is particularly beneficial for artists and designers who require clarity and realism in their work. User Accessibility: Designed to be accessible to users of all skill levels, Magic Quill does not require extensive prior knowledge in image editing. Its intuitive design combined with AI-assisted features makes it easy for beginners to create professional-quality edits. Magic Quill represents a significant advancement in the realm of image editing tools by leveraging AI to simplify complex tasks. Its combination of intelligent editing capabilities, real-time feedback, and user-friendly interface makes it a valuable resource for both novice and experienced creators looking to enhance their visual projects. If you are exploring new tools in digital art or photography, Magic Quill is certainly worth considering.

5

The Smartling team couldn't be more excited to introduce the AI Translation Toolkit: a suite of AI translation features designed to reduce translation costs and improve linguist performance. This feature allows #localization teams to leverage AI to streamline translation processes, without sacrificing quality. Reach out to your Smartling Customer Success Manager to learn about how the AI Translation Toolkit can improve the performance of your translators. #aitranslation #smartling #l10n #ailocalization #translatortools

28

🚗✨ Step Inside the Future: Waymo's 360° Autonomous Driving Experience Imagine gliding through the streets in a vehicle that drives itself—safely, seamlessly, and autonomously. With Waymo's 360° Experience, you’re not just a passenger; you’re a witness to the cutting-edge technology shaping the future of transportation. Here’s what makes the journey extraordinary: 🔄 360° Awareness The Waymo Driver uses advanced sensors and AI to detect everything around the car—pedestrians, cyclists, and even that unexpected ball rolling into the street. 🛣️ Navigating Complex Roads From busy intersections to quiet residential areas, the Waymo Driver handles it all with precision, ensuring a smooth and safe ride every time. 🤖 Learning with Every Mile Every trip adds to Waymo's vast knowledge base, improving its driving intelligence and making your journey even more reliable. 🌟 A Glimpse of Tomorrow This isn’t science fiction—it’s happening now. Fully autonomous driving is transforming mobility for individuals and communities alike, offering accessibility, safety, and convenience like never before. 🚀 Ready to experience the road reimagined? Dive into the details and explore the world of fully autonomous driving here: [Insert Link] #Waymo #AutonomousDriving #Innovation #AI #FutureOfMobility

3

In my opinion, this is one of the lesser discussed disruptions that we will experience in this decade. While widespread availability and economies of scale are yet to be fully figured out, this has enormous potential to reinvent last mile logistics, transportation and also road safety. Exciting times ahead !! https://lnkd.in/g9iUeADd

16

"In solving the specific problem of their function, they had lost sight of the holistic forest through the trees. I've observed companies where the product or design org and the engineering org have their own core model. The models use completely different languages; they don't interact with each other, and no one speaks the same language. They do this because there's a lot of pressure on each org to produce something, and collaborating cross-functionally is difficult. Meanwhile, the business is searching for one simple model to rule them all, which doesn't really exist. As a result, without a viable alternative, the company uses metrics like revenue and NPS (a travesty of statistics and research)." https://lnkd.in/gbk48eS7

35

3 Comments

Common Culprits Behind CrashLoopBackOff There are a few usual suspects that can trigger endless crashes and restarts: 👻Resource constraints: If a pod doesn't have enough memory allocated, it can run out and crash. Carefully configure pod resource requests and limits. 👻Image issues: Using an image without proper permissions or pulling the wrong image can lead to crashes. 👻Configuration errors: Simple mistakes like typos in the pod spec can prevent containers from starting correctly. 👻External service problems: If your pod relies on an external service or database that's unavailable, it's going to have issues. 👻Uncaught exceptions: Bugs or errors in application code that aren't handled properly will cause crashes. 👻Liveness probe misconfiguration: If liveness probes are configured poorly, they can cause unnecessary restarts. https://hubs.la/Q02vTSxF0

14

1 Comment