HomeCrowd is a social fintech company that helps underserved millennials by using a holistic data-driven credit scoring that grants them access to a peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform for mortgage loans. We are the 1st company in Malaysia to be licensed and regulated for P2P lending for mortgage & consumer financing by the Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan (KPKT)/ Ministry of Housing and Local Government. Our mission is to support millennials to achieve their dream homeownership.

HomeCrowd

Did You Know: Kubernetes Optimizes Audio-Streaming on Spotify! Spotify is an audio-streaming platform that was created with a vision to empower audio creators and endow listeners across the globe with a really immersive listening experience for all the customers across the globe. A customer-centric approach and a vision to empower creators have led to the exponential growth of the platform which has now grown to a superfluous number of 200 million monthly active users. Spotify, quite early, recognized the importance of containers and deploying microservices in a cloud-native environment. Consequently, they adopted a containerized environment pretty early and were amongst the few companies to even develop a home-grown platform for orchestrating the containers, which was named Helios. Adopting Kubernetes Meant Embracing Limitless Possibilities for Spotify Having adopted microservices and Docker quite early, Helios was a need-based innovation for managing the containerized environment for the Spotify team. However, the Spotify team soon realized the need to outgrow from this homegrown orchestration to Kubernetes. Helios only had limited features that could only be maintained by a small company at Spotify, contrary to this Kubernetes has many more functionalities that make it much more efficient than Helios and hence an obvious choice. Besides being laden with innumerable features Kubernetes also has an amazing community. To Spotify adopting Kubernetes was akin to adopting an orchestration tool that was not only already popular among many industry verticals but also could help their team get containers orchestrated more effectively, efficiently, and faster, and all of this, at a much lower cost than what the company had to incur with Helios. Also, there was a seamless migration from Helios to Kubernetes as Kubernetes could very effectively be used in conjunction with Helios, supporting migration until the platform became the only option for the full-fledged maintenance of the Spotify containers. Positive Impact of Adopting Kubernetes Migrating to Kubernetes required developing some core technological competencies. However, once the technological challenges were addressed and dealt with in 2019, and the company migrated to Kubernetes from their homegrown platform Helios, they experienced some amazing benefits in real-time business scenarios including the following: a)      The internal teams were able to considerably reduce the time spent on manual provisioning which meant that more time could be given to delivering features for Spotify. b)      The team was able to deploy some of its biggest services on Kubernetes, the likes that could handle as many as 10 million requests per second and cumulatively; the feature of Kubernetes proved simply amazing for the team. autoscaling Prior to adopting Kubernetes, deploying a new service for the team wasn’t this hassle-free. They had to at least wait for an hour to create a new service and would have to get an operational host for running the service in production. However, with Kubernetes the story was different. The same services could be deployed in seconds and minutes. c)       Kubernetes also helped improve the CPU utilization by 2 to 3 times approximately as it has the functionalities called bin-packing and multi-tenancy. d)      Kubernetes helped the autonomous engineering teams at Spotify work at a faster velocity and iterate more quickly even while working on different pieces of a project. Before switching to Kubernetes, Spotify since the year 2014 had been using microservices and Docker. The microservices were running across its fleet of Virtual Machines (VMs) and were containerized by leveraging Docker. The company used to manage and keep the data on-premises with the help of their home-grown container orchestration platform Helios before they migrated all the on-premise data to Google Cloud in the year 2016-17. Eventually, switching to Kubernetes proved to be a beneficial decision that offered innumerable advantages including accentuating the time of delivery of several services, leading to optimum business revenue. A substantial motive for the Spotify team to adopt Kubernetes was that the team wanted to contribute their subject-matter-expertise and influence to make the Kubernetes community prosper. Final Words: Takeaways From Spotify Use Case & the Road Ahead For Kubernetes With Kubernetes, not only the Spotify team was able to scale their topline operational metrics viz. lead time, deployment frequency, time to resolution, and operational load but were also able to get all the help to deploy the technology. The Kubernetes team was proactive in providing support and almost everybody was available to help the Spotify team with the technical know-how and expertise required while deploying a particular service. This served as a source of resurrection and motivation for the Spotify team to further scale-up their operational efficiency. The Spotify team leveraged several Kubernetes APIs and other extendable functionalities to aid and interface with their legacy infrastructure. The integrations were hassle-free and easy for the Spotify team. Because of saving so much time with Kubernetes, the Spotify team was able to experiment with solutions such as gRPC and Envoy. Kubernetes is becoming a go-to solution for companies with large development teams and complex IT needs. That's because software developers can use Kubernetes to automate the process of building and managing complex IT infrastructure. Kubernetes is already seeing adoption across many different industries and it will continue to grow as more governments and organizations come around to the benefits of its agility and automated operations. There are several other use cases that narrate the success story of Kubernetes across all industry verticals including media, publishing, audio streaming, and podcasting. These stories demonstrate the amazing possibilities that unfold when a team has the right API and enough time.

Why Spotify Migrated From Its Homegrown Orchestration Tool (Helios) to Kubernetes?

Homegrown master-master replication for a NoSQL database

Are you tired of having your customers switch between different tools for data analysis? Are you tired of compromising on your SaaS app’s user experience to get better reporting? If so, embedded business intelligence is the answer. Choosing the right analytics solution is important for empowering users to access valuable insights without leaving your application. What is Embedded Business Intelligence (BI)? Embedded BI is the integration of analytical capabilities, such as dashboards, reports, charts, and graphs, into SaaS applications. Embedded BI lets users access and work with data in their workflow without switching to a different analytics tool or platform. Furthermore, embedded BI relies on its ability to serve multiple tenants. Traditional BI is all about single-tenant instances for internal use cases. Embedded business intelligence tools serve external use cases. Build or Buy – Which One to Choose? SaaS providers are better off when they integrate an embedded analytics app instead of building one themselves. But as a technology provider, we certainly understand the inclination to build in-house. You have software developers on staff, and you’re already paying their salaries. They’re also already building the rest of the app anyway, so why not the analytics? Additionally, you want analytics to be a seamless component, with the same look and feel as the rest of your app. Unfortunately, white-labeling capabilities for are inconsistent between embedded bi tools. embedded analytics solutions We understand why homegrown is appealing, but there are many solid . reasons NOT to build your own analytics You can check out our guide to the here as well. best embedded BI tools Choosing a solution that focuses solely on embedded BI will allow you to: 1) Stay Focused on Your Roadmap There are limited hours in a day. Spending time on analytics takes away from other tasks on your to-do list. Embedding analytics enables your devs to remain focused on building and improving the components that increase your competitive advantage. 2) Offer Comprehensive Analytics Functionality Early-stage startups building in-house face restrictions in budget, time, staff, and expertise of their team. With these constraints, early-stage startups in particular must be ruthless in determining the scope of their MVP. When you use a third-party solution, you can offer a wider variety of options to visualize data. Interactive dashboards that offer editing, filtering, and drilling down are often difficult to build and maintain over time. 3) Build Without In-House Expertise You already have a team of developers on staff who know UI/UX, web app development, and more, but do they know ? Unfortunately, the requisite skills are in short supply. analytics A shortage of data and analytics skills is one of Gartner’s, “ When Building Data and Analytics Teams.” 5 Pitfalls However, buying a third-party product enables you to integrate sophisticated functionality without needing in-house expertise. You’re saving time and money in the long term. 4) Reduce Ongoing Maintenance Efforts When you do analytics in-house, you also have to manage -house. This is something that you might under scope when you release a new app. Caring for your custom SaaS component means more than just fixing issues – it also involves managing the module’s lifecycle. You’ll be adding enhancements to your roadmap on a regular basis with no end in sight. it in A third-party platform handles maintenance and improvements, ensuring a steady roadmap for enhancements. 5) Monetize Analytics Easily Even if you don’t want to monetize your analytics , it’s a great door to leave door open. Embedding third-party BI capabilities brings greater flexibility moving forward to experiment with different pricing and licensing options. now According to 512 SaaS companies, monetization was four times more efficient than acquisition in improving growth. And, it was twice as efficient than efforts to improve retention. a study of You could offer new analytics functionality by: including as a free value-add increase overall cost, or offer optional components for an additional fee. Being able to run market tests from a pricing standpoint is just as important as testing technical features. With an embedded business intelligence solution, testing all those packaging options doesn’t necessitate a heavy development lift. On the , Dan Balcauski, Founder and Chief Pricing Officer of Product Tranquility, said, “Organizations are absolutely not dedicating enough time to pricing. No one’s getting a bill on their desk saying, ‘You missed out on all this revenue because you’re massively underpriced.’ It’s .” SaaS Scaled podcast an invisible opportunity cost What Are the Main Benefits of Using Embedded Business Intelligence? Get Data Insights Instantly – Without Leaving the App Switching between apps isn’t too difficult, especially with ‘Windows + tab’, but having information within the main app is best. Embedding insights eliminates friction and eases workflows, while enabling users to get more value from your app. Build on Existing Knowledge, With No Learning Curve No matter how user-friendly an app is, there’s always a learning curve. Users benefit from actionable insights in their app without needing to adjust to a different interface. Make Info Actionable with Workflows While some tech vendors might use different definitions, “automation” is the ability to enable processes downstream of your analytics. No-code automation workflows empower users to do more with their data right within your SaaS application. With conditional rules, users can add powerful business logic to workflows and applications. Gain More Users within Each Tenant Embedding analytics lets users access insights without buying separate BI tools. This makes it easier for your app to share valuable information with more people for informed decision-making. Easy-to-use dashboards and reports can help more employees in a customer’s organization find value in your app. As more users get more insight, . Your app becomes stickier, reducing churn, and even potentially giving you the opportunity to raise prices. each customer organization obtains greater value Expand to Incorporate More Data In addition to expanding to more within each org, you can expand by incorporating . Particularly when integrating , each user can gain more insight. users more data points self-service analytics You can use an embedded bi platform to make your product more useful. This tool allows customers to create their own reports with self-service BI. Reaching more workers and analyzing more information in a company helps make your app important for the company’s goals. Reduce Churn SaaS apps are easy to acquire, deploy, and implement. Unfortunately, that also makes them easier to . un-implement According to the BetterCloud 2023 , 40% of IT professionals consolidated redundant SaaS apps in the past year. State of SaaSOps Report Reducing churn is one of the many benefits of using embedded BI. Self-service data analysis can further reduce churn. Business users who create reports are less likely to switch vendors and start over. After all, they already have the information they need. Starting over with a new vendor would mean having to recreate all their reports. This can be time-consuming and inefficient. Improve Decision Making Embedded BI improves decision-making, which helps businesses improve every metric. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke describes . “Data gathered from a wide range of sources is used to understand and improve proprietary processes in every business function, as well as market conditions and opportunities. BI systems describe past and current conditions through descriptive analytics, make projections and forecasts through predictive analytics, and point to opportunities to guide future actions through prescriptive analytics.” How Business Intelligence Drives Decision-Making Drive Real-Time Decision Making Using BI goes beyond profit margin to give and help make future decisions. This becomes even more impactful if your app can automate the of historical data. real-time insights analysis of large volumes Business Intelligence aims to help make better decisions, according to the 2023 study. Efficiency/cost and revenue goals are the next most important. Dresner Wisdom of Crowds® Things to Consider When Evaluating an Embedded Business Intelligence Software Many business intelligence apps exist, but few address the needs of SaaS companies. And fewer offering embedding that actually meets the requirements of SaaS companies. multi-tenant analytics The following are important areas to consider with an embedded BI solution. Built-In Data Management Embedded analytics starts with data and this is where most companies fail with embedded BI. Embedded analytics data management needs to have a few things: It must create an analytics data store that includes native multi-tenant security It must connect to ANY data type, whether it’s structured, semi- or unstructured. Include native APIs for ingesting from any data source or on any frequency It should make life easier for development teams, not harder Security Self-hosted embedded bi software is going to offer the best in data security. When you can inherit your security policies it makes offering an embedded solution easier for your customers. But your data must also stay in place. Many industries, like healthcare and fintech, cannot send personal data to a third-party cloud due to security concerns. Therefore, a deployed solution that installs a strong data management layer is the ideal path. Scalability and Performance Your users demand applications that are always available with 100% uptime and near-instantaneous performance. Your analytics platform must be able to scale up to meet these demands. SaaS companies also require pricing and licensing that won’t prohibit growth and user adoption. Using on-demand technology, such as serverless tech, helps your analytics grow without overspending on infrastructure. Paying for always-on servers hurts scalability and is more expensive. A Seamless White Label Experience Your shouldn’t feel disconnected from the host application. Rather than merely placing a chart inside of an iFrame, you need full white-labeling capabilities. Users expect a seamless integration within your SaaS application. embedded analytics Look for the ability to customize every report and dashboard, font, and color to perfectly match your existing application. Other needs are designs that work on all screen sizes and options for users to customize their experiences. If iFrames are the only option, run away….fast. Developer-Friendly Tools & APIs Your embedded analytics solution must align with the way you build software. That means being 100% SDLC compliant and having developer-friendly (and DevOps-friendly) tools that your team will love working with. Find a platform with different areas for creating, testing, and launching apps, and simple ways to switch between them. In the ever-evolving landscape of SaaS applications, we understand that embedding a powerful analytics solution is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. At Qrvey, we are the best option for embedded business intelligence. We customize a wide range of features to meet the specific needs of SaaS companies. My tools make it easy for developers to customize and manage data, leading to a smoother user experience. This helps improve decision-making, retain users, and increase engagement with your app. Embrace the future of embedded analytics and unlock the full potential of your SaaS application. Our goal for you is simple: Build less software, and deliver more value. Get a demo and start a free POC today.

How to Customize Embedded Business Intelligence For Your Business

আপনার ব্যবসার জন্য এমবেডেড বিজনেস ইন্টেলিজেন্স কিভাবে কাস্টমাইজ করবেন

So passen Sie eingebettete Business Intelligence an Ihr Unternehmen an

Cómo personalizar la inteligencia empresarial integrada para su empresa

Comment personnaliser la Business Intelligence intégrée pour votre entreprise

अपने व्यवसाय के लिए एम्बेडेड बिजनेस इंटेलिजेंस को कैसे अनुकूलित करें

ビジネスに合わせて組み込みビジネス インテリジェンスをカスタマイズする方法

비즈니스에 맞게 임베디드 비즈니스 인텔리전스를 사용자 정의하는 방법

Como personalizar Business Intelligence incorporado para o seu negócio

Как настроить встроенную бизнес-аналитику для вашего бизнеса

Gömülü İş Zekasını İşletmeniz İçin Nasıl Özelleştirirsiniz?

Cách tùy chỉnh Embedded Business Intelligence cho doanh nghiệp của bạn

如何为您的企业定制嵌入式商业智能

Barely a month ago, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued a that ended a two-year crackdown on cryptocurrency within the country’s banking sector, raising the hopes and aspirations of its vibrant crypto community. circular For two years, the repressive CBN ban on cryptocurrencies and digital assets shut the doors in the face of potential investors and robbed the West African country of millions of dollars in web3 funding. While the CBN ban lasted, the rest of the world, however, acknowledged how Nigeria still maintained its position in the crypto race, setting a record as one of the world’s biggest destinations for crypto investments, especially as the biggest crypto market in Africa. In 2023, ranked Nigeria as the 7th country with the highest number of crypto holders in the world boasting a large trading database. In other words, a little over 22 million people own cryptocurrencies in the country. Binance The effects of the prolonged ban sapped the enthusiasm of crypto investors who were eyeing the Nigeria booming market, and it was in the heat of the moment that some of its homegrown crypto companies like Patricia left the country, while other less known companies went out of business altogether. Now that the ominous ban on cryptocurrency has been lifted by the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), how is Nigeria making headway in turning its losses to gains and repositioning itself for the next crypto bull run? A New Era Beckons The new CBN circular that ended the two-year ban reversed the prohibition that was placed on the country’s Money Deposit Banks(DMBs). Prior to the ban in 2021, local DMBs were directly involved in the crypto services by serving as the payment gateway for crypto traders on various exchanges. The latest CBN circular, however, now allows them to deal directly with Virtual Assets Service Providers (VASP) in a manner that is consistent with due diligence and crypto compliance. As a result of this, web3 companies like Agile Dynamics, Blockstation, and FireBlocks have entered the Nigerian market, with a considerable interest and investment in the tokenization of Real World Assets(RWA) in the country. Tokenization of Real World Asset(RWA): Nigeria’s Biggest Web3 Opportunity Dubai-based web3 consulting company Agile Dynamics Tech recently announced the signing of Letter of Intent (LOIs) and partnership agreements with Nigeria and two other African countries, signaling its interest in entering the country’s emerging crypto market. "These agreements represent a significant step forward in our mission to foster meaningful change through technology and strategic partnerships," said Paul Lalovich, cofounder of Agile Dynamics tech. "We are thrilled to collaborate with Nigeria, South Sudan, and Mali in leveraging digital solutions to drive economic development and strengthen their positions in the global market." “The signed LOIs and partnership agreements exemplify Agile Dynamics tech's commitment to promoting technological innovation and progress in the mining and minerals sector across diverse international landscapes. By facilitating the tokenization of Real World Assets and securing Direct Foreign Investments, the company aims to catalyze sustainable growth and prosperity in these regions”. Nigeria’s SEC Says YES to Innovation Since the CBN ban was lifted in December 2023, Nigeria’s crypto community has come to terms with the fact that cryptocurrencies are no longer banned in the country, and the government is willing to use this medium to usher in technological innovation and economic growth. In a groundbreaking move, Nigeria's Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC Nigeria) authorized the National Association of Securities Dealers(NASD plc) to launch the Digital Securities Platform (N-DSP), an electronic platform where cryptocurrencies and other digital assets can be listed and offered to the investing public. When it is launched, the Digital Securities Platform (N-DSP) is going to be the first Over-The-Counter Service (OTC) for cryptocurrencies and digital assets in the country and the first crypto-based digital platform to be regulated by the Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC)in a compliant fashion. Eguarekhide Longe, the Managing Director of the NSDP, in his words, stated that : “Our objective is to empower millions of young crypto investors with access to promising digital assets, ensuring they can confidently purchase in a completely compliant and secure investment environment”. Furthermore, the innovative spirit of Nigeria’s NASD can be seen in its partnership with Blockstation, a leading blockchain development company. This partnership underscores the vision to make Nigeria a leading web3 hub in the world. It also goes to show that blockchain technology can play a vital role in boosting the country’s GDP. Commenting on the recent SEC approval, Blockstation founder and CEO Jai Waterman stated that: “The integration of cutting-edge technology to address the needs of, and captivate the substantially large youthful population, is set to unlock previously untapped markets. We are confident that this platform will play a pivotal role in propelling Nigeria into a new era of economic growth”. Conclusion The 2021 CBN ban on crypto transactions was reversed on the 22nd of December, 2023, through a circular allowing Virtual Assets Service Providers(VASP)to operate in the country. The ban, which lasted for two years, created a roadblock to potential crypto investments and lowered the bar of web3 innovation. However, the new policy is touted to be a game-changer as Nigeria continues to attract foreign investment and as it continues to show its commitment to web3 innovation.

Crypto Crackdown Ends: Nigeria's New Policy Unlocks Web3 Innovation

Let's learn about via these 31 free stories. They are ordered by most time reading created on HackerNoon. Visit the to find the most read stories about any technology. Spotify /Learn Repo 1. Write Code to Build Your Own Playlist and Throw Away Spotify You don't need a whole music cloud service to get music recommendations 2. What is Spotify And How Does It Work? Are you a person who likes to play different music based on various events or simply your mood? If yes, then Spotify is there to bring the best soundtracks in your life. 3. What Apple And Spotify Know About Me Unsurprisingly, the data that our apps have collected about us is both impressive and concerning, though it can be very interesting to review and explore it. 4. 🎉 Introducing Spottr - Your Spotify Stats Year-Round Spottr is a PWA built to view your Spotify listening stats year-round. 5. Improving Focus and Productivity Using the Pomodoro Technique Have you ever gotten to the end of your day and while you've completed tasks, you don't feel you accomplished what you set out to do? Are you're working hard at a list of tasks that you're trying to finish but you're not able to give 100%? Do you have no idea where time has gone and you have nothing to showcase your work? Do you procrastinate? Do you lose time in your day scrolling social media feeds, your inbox or YouTube? There may be a solution that could help you. The Pomodoro Technique and it could transform your life. 6. Spotify Audio Features Time Series in Additive Spotify Analyzer There are many articles on analyzing Spotify data and many applications as well. Some are a one-time analysis on individual's music library and some are an app for a specific purpose. This app is different in that it does not do one thing. It is meant to grow and provide a place to add more analysis. This article is about how the audio features time series was created. 7. Why Spotify Migrated From Its Homegrown Orchestration Tool (Helios) to Kubernetes? Kubernetes optimizes audio streaming on Spotify. There's a story behind why it migrated from innate Helios to Kubernetes for container orchestration. Read on. 8. Why Streaming Has Not Conquered the World Read this post to understand how the trials of Netflix and Spotify have underlined a reality about the fragility of the streaming industry. 9. Visualizing The Data: Spotify Data for Favorite Artists Over Time How do your favorite artists change over time? This is the story of how I visualized my favorite artists from Spotify in a Plotly chart using Python. 10. TODAY: Spotify 💚 Social · Y FB 💸 $400M on Giphy · Uber & Ryanair Cut Jobs I read the news so you don't have to: Spotify has launched a co-listening product stream so that you can listen to the same song with anyone, anywhere, in-sync; big surprise: Facebook bought Giphy for the data; both Europe's budget airline Ryanair and Uber are laying off a bunch of people; and France and Germany are pushing for a $545bn coronavirus relief fund. 11. How we built an A.I Radio Presenter "Radio, we still love you." 12. The Freemium Model's Reciprocation Effect Spotify is a music app, Adobe provides apps for creatives to draw and design, Fortnite is a game. These three products are completely different when it comes to what service they provide. But they all have same revenue model: a  subscription model. To be precise: The Freemium Subscription Model. 13. How I Got a Job at Spotify via my GitHub Profile How my GitHub profile got me a job at Spotify. It doesn't have to be a good profile, but having one can be a difference-maker. 14. Why Spotify’s “Wrapped“ Feature is the Growth Hack of this Decade By Nikolas Vogt
Founder, Growth Academy | Ex-Growth Lead, Google Assistant | Guest speaker, Santa Clara University 15. Streaming Revenue Growth Slowed by 19.1% Year-Over-Year in 2019 What Do the Music Industry and Netflix Have in Common? The Slowing Streaming Growth 16. Web3 and Metaverse are Overcomplicating the Music Industry Web3 is overcomplicating solutions in the entertainment industry by trying to shoehorn crypto and NFTs into everything and I don’t think it’s necessary. 17. On the Decentralization of Spotify and Similar Platforms Music streaming services should embrace Blockchain Technology and leverage their accumulated knowledge to launch new types of marketplaces. 18. How to Choose the Right Type of MVP for Your Startup Idea MVPs can come in a thousand shapes and forms. So, in this article, we will focus on the most popular ones. 19. The Only 15 Apps I Downloaded and Keep on My MacBook 👨‍💻 Today we'll be looking at my personal top 15 Mac apps. I'm actually quite a minimalist in installing and keeping apps, so these 15 are the only "extra" apps I'm using on my device. 20. Spotify's VP of Marketing Explains How To Get Your Music on Discover Weekly Adam Gonzalez’s experience in the music industry comes from his early days of opening shows for artists like Drake, Trey Songz, YG, Tyga, and various others. 21. Spotify Hits Windows Software That Downloads Tracks & Removes DRM A law firm acting for Spotify has taken down a piece of Windows software that allows users to download and remove DRM from music tracks while skipping ads. XSpotify, which also carries an ad-blocking feature, is described as a tool that "steals" Spotify encryption keys in contravention of the anti-circumvention provisions of the DMCA. 22. How AI Helps DJs, Artists Work with Sound (Beyond Spotify Algos) Machines now possess basic human skills: speak, write, see. Logically, the next evolving step is the process of creation. 23. These People Bought and Scammed Their Way to Get Instagram Verification Checkmarks A ProPublica investigation determined that Jugenburg’s dubious alter ego was created as part of what appears to be an Instagram account verification scam. 24. 6 Ways Spotify Devalues Music All Is Not Well In Music-Land 25. Top 10 Music Streaming Apps to Explore in 2020 The music streaming world has experienced a drastic shift in recent years. Due to advancements in technology, the way of leveraging the music service has changed drastically. People these days prefer to opt for the best ways of helping them to enjoy their favorite songs utterly free of cost. This has helped the curb to cater to their needs and proved to be beneficial for artists helping them to earn more for their work. 26. Spotify’s Joe Rogan Problem isn’t Going Away This slogging thread discusses Joe Rogan's case and misinformation online, particularly through Spotify. 27. When AI Algorithms Recommend Other Algorithms What do AI algorithms know of each other? And how ethical is it for them to recommend each other? Including a Hilarious RAP courtesy of ChatGPT 28. GTFO of Your Spotify Echo Chamber: Best New Artists From Eurosonic 2020 Exactly one week ago today, I boarded a train heading North from Amsterdam to a town called Groningen, to attend the Eurosonic Music Festival (ESNS). 29. Spotify's Backdoor: How Podcasts Could be the Platform's Downfall The podcast market has been more consumed than ever, and the unpreparedness of music platforms, may lead to piracy within them 30. Building the Klio Infrastructure to Support Audio Research at Spotify We just open-sourced Klio — our framework for building smarter data pipelines for audio and other media processing. 31. Creating a Spotify Like Music Streaming App, Service or Website That Actually Boost Your Revenue Build your own music streaming app/website like Spotify with complete headway technologies, features, and monetization models to maximize your revenue. Thank you for checking out the 31 most read stories about Spotify on HackerNoon. to find the most read stories about any technology. Visit the /Learn Repo

31 Stories To Learn About Spotify

In 2023, the global crypto landscape is rapidly evolving, with regulations and taxes tightening their grip on the industry. Crypto workers and enthusiasts are on the lookout for safe havens that embrace and digital currencies without numerous complications. distributed ledger technology . From the picturesque Zug in Switzerland to the forward-thinking Dubai, these cities could offer a refuge from the tightening regulatory landscape, making them ideal destinations for those seeking to live and work in the crypto space. So, you can explore our list of the top crypto-friendly cities, where innovative regulations and favorable tax policies provide a haven for crypto workers and investors Zug (Switzerland) Zug, often referred to as "Crypto Valley," stands as a testament to Switzerland's crypto-friendly environment. With its favorable regulatory framework, low taxes, and a proactive approach to embracing cryptocurrencies and their related technology, Zug has become a global hub for crypto-related businesses and innovation. This is a scenic city located in central Switzerland, known for its lakeside setting and proximity to the Swiss Alps. The region experiences a temperate climate, and it’s renowned for its cultural events, stunning landscapes, and a rich history of commerce and innovation. , Cardano Foundation, Tezos Foundation, Dfinity, Nexo, and Bancor. Today, it’s also home to over 800 crypto , including the Ethereum Foundation companies and organizations . VAT is not applied to native token transactions, like Bitcoin or Ether. Additionally, cantonal taxes based on market value, like the Net Wealth Tax, may vary based on factors such as income, marital status, and residence permit type. A single taxpayer with an income below 77,000 CHF (approx. 77,800 EUR) could be exempt. The region offers a low corporate (up to 15.1%), a Capital Gains Tax of up to 7.8% (only for businesses and big traders), and the ability to pay taxes in cryptocurrency income tax Singapore (Republic of Singapore) Singapore has emerged as a crypto-friendly city with a well-defined regulatory framework. It serves as a hub 659 crypto-related businesses, including major companies and NGOs like (until 2021), Oasis Foundation, Moonbeam Foundation, and Crypto.com. , despite recent setbacks faced by homegrown projects (aka ). for around Binance Singapore's regulatory structure, digital infrastructure, and ease of doing business have made it a top destination for crypto companies Terraform Labs and 3AC This island state is situated in Southeast Asia, boasts a tropical climate, and is known for its high living costs (and salaries). Singapore's crypto community is diverse and inclusive, attracting talent from around the world. Despite growing competition from cities like Dubai and Hong Kong, Singapore remains a strong player in the crypto regulatory space and continues to foster innovation and collaboration within the fintech industry. Individual taxpayers generally don't need to pay income tax on their crypto holdings unless they are professional traders, big miners, or receive crypto as payment for goods and services. Besides, paying with crypto doesn’t imply taxes. due to its lack of capital gains tax, making it an attractive location for crypto investors. It stands out A setback here could be that people engaging in crypto staking and lending activities, earning an annual income of SGD 300 (around $219) or higher, may probably be liable for income tax on their profits. depends on an individual's residence status (resident or not), and varies between 0% and 24%, depending on the annual income. This tax Berlin (Germany) Berlin is located in northeastern Germany and is both the largest city in the country as well as its capital. . The city's crypto scene thrives on community-driven, decentralized events like the Berlin Blockchain Week. It offers diversity, numerous meetups, and spaces for fintech enthusiasts. It’s a tech hub that has attracted global companies like and and is also a major draw for crypto enthusiasts Google Meta Its crypto influence is undeniable, with ties to Ethereum's early days and the first Ethereum developers' meetup in 2014. Kreuzberg's Room 77 became the first bar globally to accept Bitcoin, and now there are around 12 cryptocurrency ATMs in the city. Besides, crypto-related projects, from DeFi platforms to NGOs, thrive in Berlin today. They include brands like Stacks, Tendermint (Ignite), Aeternity, Energy Web, and Matter Labs. over 97 Berlin's cost of living remains favorable compared to other European cities. Short-term income taxes vary depending on marital status and annual income, from 0% (income of less than $11,500) to 45% (income of over $293,800). Annual earnings of up to $634 aren’t taxable, even if exchanged to fiat before a year. Germany's incentivize long-term crypto holdings crypto tax policies since profits are only taxable if exchanged to fiat before a full year. San Salvador (El Salvador) San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, has emerged as a crypto-friendly city in Central America, thanks to the country's pioneering approach to cryptocurrency adoption. El Salvador became the first nation to accept Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021. This move has been accompanied by various developments, including from Capital Gains Taxes for individuals and businesses. an exemption This one is designed to operate entirely on geothermal energy from the Conchagua volcano and prioritize the use of Bitcoin as a key element for economic liberation. The project, which aims to attract local and foreign companies in the crypto industry, already received recognition and . Besides, San Salvador boasts 61 Bitcoin ATMs, crypto can be used to pay other taxes, and the government is planning to build its own Bitcoin City relatively close to there. design awards Despite initial skepticism and uncertainty surrounding Bitcoin adoption, El Salvador's success has drawn considerable interest from both domestic and international investors. This unique approach to cryptocurrency has put San Salvador on the map as a crypto hub, with ongoing projects aiming to integrate crypto further into the city's infrastructure and daily life. Cheyenne, Wyoming (United States) Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, is a city in the United States known for its Western heritage and frontier history. On the other hand, it seems like Wyoming has more cattle than humans —but that may change with more crypto adoption. Currently, this state the most crypto-friendly in the United States. is considered Notably, the state passed a law exempting utility tokens from securities regulation, resolving a significant legal challenge for crypto companies. This legal clarity has made Wyoming attractive to crypto businesses, including major players like Kraken and IOG (formerly IOHK, Cardano developer). Since 2016, Wyoming has passed over 35 laws regulating various aspects of the crypto industry, creating a welcoming regulatory environment. According to the Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation at the University of Wyoming, around 3,000 crypto companies are domiciled in Wyoming now. Besides, the state legally recognizes regulated custodians for crypto assets and allows its authorities to issue a backed by U.S. dollars or Treasury bonds. stablecoin And it’s also one of the in the country. The crypto community in Cheyenne often consists of startup creators, miners, legal professionals, accountants, and influential figures. On top of all this, Wyoming is . It has no state taxes on crypto earnings, transactions, personal income, corporate income, gifts, or inheritance. tax-free for cryptocurrencies least expensive states More cities (and citadels) Beyond the ones mentioned above, numerous cities worldwide are embracing cryptocurrency, offering favorable regulations and support for crypto firms. Dubai (UAE), known for crypto-friendly regulations, is luring more and more crypto companies like Boundless Pay, Metafluence, and Singular One. Lisbon combines a high quality of life with a low cost of living, making it attractive to remote crypto workers. Italy's Rovereto is a long-standing Bitcoin hub where cryptocurrency is widely accepted for various services and products. Madeira, a region in Portugal, is promoting crypto adoption by offering low taxes for crypto-related businesses. with an homonymous commercial complex. Ljubljana in Slovenia boasts a significant number of businesses accepting crypto payments and is working to become a "Bitcoin City," In addition, Latin America has seen the emergence of “ ” like El Zonte in El Salvador, Praia Bitcoin Brasil in Brazil, Bitcoin Jungle in Costa Rica, and Bitcoin Lake in Guatemala. These communities, often consisting of individuals underserved by traditional banking systems, have embraced Bitcoin and cryptos as an alternative. They've established circular economies, promoting crypto adoption among local merchants and offering educational resources. Bitcoin citadels Finally, we can also mention Liechtenstein and its capital Vaduz as one of the first places in the world to properly regulate and welcome cryptocurrencies —through its in 2020. is based in this territory. So, as you can see, the world can be your oyster! There are a lot of crypto-friendly cities to choose to live and work in 2023. Now it’s up to you to pick one. Blockchain Act Obyte Foundation Featured Vector Image by Freepik

Top 5 Crypto-Friendly Cities in 2023 Based on Taxes and Living Conditions

কর এবং জীবনযাত্রার অবস্থার উপর ভিত্তি করে 2023 সালে শীর্ষ 5টি ক্রিপ্টো-বান্ধব শহর

Top 5 kryptofreundlicher Städte im Jahr 2023, basierend auf Steuern und Lebensbedingungen

Las 5 principales ciudades compatibles con las criptomonedas en 2023 según los impuestos y las condiciones de vida

Top 5 des villes favorables à la cryptographie en 2023, en fonction des impôts et des conditions de vie

कर और रहने की स्थिति के आधार पर 2023 में शीर्ष 5 क्रिप्टो-अनुकूल शहर

税金と生活条件に基づく 2023 年の仮想通貨に優しい都市トップ 5

세금 및 생활 조건 기준 2023년 암호화폐 친화적인 상위 5개 도시

As 5 principais cidades criptográficas em 2023 com base em impostos e condições de vida

Топ-5 крипто-дружественных городов в 2023 году по налогам и условиям жизни

Vergiler ve Yaşam Koşullarına Göre 2023 Yılının En İyi 5 Kripto Dostu Şehir

5 thành phố thân thiện với tiền điện tử năm 2023 dựa trên thuế và điều kiện sống

根据税收和生活条件，2023 年加密货币友好城市前 5 名

In an era when memes often dictate internet culture, Ukrainian maritime drones continue to make the rounds. Yet, these drones aren’t just fodder for online humor; their continued appearance in the Russo-Ukrainian war is showing that Russia’s navy, once dominant, has found itself outmaneuvered and pushed into retreat by a country with no navy. At the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in early March 2022, the Ukrainian Navy sank their flagship frigate, the seasoned , to prevent Russian possession. Scuttling this ship left Ukraine with only a handful of riverine patrol boats and limited capability to engage Russia on the open sea. Hetman Sahaidachny Meanwhile, Russia had its full Black Sea Fleet at its disposal, including ships captured and reflagged from the Ukrainian Navy when Russia invaded and illegally annexed Crimea in 2014. As a result, Ukraine lost over 80% of its after Russia’s invasion of Crimea. naval capabilities Russia’s navy dominated the Black Sea, until now However, over the past year, Russia, boasting the world’s second-largest navy, has been forced to relocate a significant portion of its Black Sea Fleet, including all its submarines, from Sevastopol in occupied Crimea to Novorossiysk farther east on the Black Sea coast in Russia – more than 570 kilometers away from Odesa and other targets in Ukraine. Kilo-class In May 2023, a Ukrainian maritime drone struck the Russian reconnaissance vessel in the Black Sea. Initially, Moscow asserted they had successfully repelled the attack. However, by June 2023, Ukraine intensified its offensive, deploying six remote-controlled maritime drones to target the Russian intelligence vessel , approximately 300 kilometers from Sevastopol, challenging Russian naval dominance beyond Crimea. Ivan Khuprirs Priazovye Ukraine’s growing maritime abilities were once again underlined when their drones in early August. incapacitated a Russian warship and an oil tanker Following the attacks, Former United States Navy Admiral James George Stavridis , “We’re at a juncture in military evolution akin to the game-changers like Agincourt or Pearl Harbor. Expensive manned surface warships now face existential threats from affordable drones.” remarked , the secretary of Ukraine’s Security and Defense Council, pointed out that “With each new combat mission, Ukrainian combat UAVs and maritime drones become more accurate, operators more experienced, combat coordination more effective, and manufacturers get the opportunity to improve tactical and technical characteristics.” Oleksiy Danilov During this attack, the Russian oil tanker “ ,” built in 2014 with a 5,000-ton capacity, was targeted with 450 kilograms of TNT while ferrying fuel for the Russian military. This tanker was integral to fueling Russian operations in and was under US sanctions. SIG Syria The maritime drones could change the complexion of the war by forcing Russia to commit more resources to protecting its ports, warships, and cargo ships that it uses to transport weapons, fuel, and other supplies for its military. Ukraine further issued a stern , deeming six Russian Black Sea ports, Taman, Anapa, Novorossiysk, Gelendzhik, Tuapse, and Sochi in a “war risk area.” On August 5th, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said, “There are no more safe waters or peaceful harbors for you in the Black and Azov Seas.” warning Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukraine’s military intelligence, emphasized that domestically-produced sea drones have paralyzed Russia’s Black Sea Fleet and are now being mass-produced. He that approximately 30-40% of these drones successfully strike their targets, causing Russian ships to avoid venturing north of Sevastopol due to the risk of drone attacks. noted Nearly two months into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine sank the – flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, using anti-ship missiles. While a morale boost for Ukraine, it didn’t shift the power dynamics in the Black Sea. That shift would begin as Ukraine introduced maritime drones later on. Moskva Neptune On 17 July 2023, the Crimean Bridge, a prime symbol of Putin’s imperial ambitions in the Black Sea region, in a drone assault. This marks the second such attack on this crucial bridge after Ukraine’s in October 2022, underscoring the challenges Russia faces in protecting the bridge against cheap Ukrainian drones. sustained significant damage first strike Apart from its important symbolism for Putin, the bridge is a vital resupply route for Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. The head of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), , highlighted that the drone used in the recent attack against the bridge is called “Sea Baby.” Maliuk proudly emphasized, “These sea drones are a groundbreaking innovation by the Security Service of Ukraine. They’re exclusively ours, with no private entities involved.” Vasyl Maliuk He also explains how these drones were recently deployed to target the Crimean bridge with a massive 850 kilograms of explosives to deliver maximum impact against the bridge’s support pillars. Additionally, the drones were utilized to strike a Russian warship, the , as well as the tanker. Olengorsky Gornyak SIG Ukraine’s Western allies have paid close attention to how Ukraine has been successfully conducting these maritime drone attacks and wants to learn from Ukraine’s experience. Despite that Western interest, Maliuk , “They do not participate in our operations or provide us with any equipment or anything else. These drones are produced at an underground production facility in the territory of Ukraine. The targets I’ve mentioned are legitimate targets according to the Ukrainian and international laws.” stated , an advisor to President Zelenskyy, also commented on the situation, asking, “What is happening in the Black Sea? are changing the rules of the game, returning the waters to full-fledged foreign jurisdiction, and ultimately destroying the value of the Russian fleet. In fact, they are returning everyone to the international law of the sea…” Mykhailo Podoliak #Drones Scrappy tech development that rewrites naval warfare playbook Ukraine’s rapid development of maritime drones, technically termed “uncrewed surface vessels” (USVs), has resulted in vessels replete with state-of-the-art features like integrated explosives and real-time cameras. These subaquatic drones are designed to broadcast riveting visuals straight to their human handlers. The Ukrainian government recently revealed the cost of a maritime drone with an economical of $250,000. For reference, the cost of each S long-range missile is $150,000, and a full launch costs $1,000,000. price tag HIMAR Yet, the drones’ capabilities don’t stop at being cost-effective. These drone marvels can blaze across the ocean at of 80 km/h and boast a remarkable travel range of over 800 km. Enhanced with infrared vision, these drones carry a formidable 350 kilogram warhead (in some cases, up to ) and can sustain operations for a whopping 60 hours. versions, armed with day-night vision cameras and explosive fuses, make for silent yet potent surface water assassins. speeds 850 kilograms Satellite-controlled , a senior engineer from the US think-tank Rand Corp, pointed out the inherent challenge in countering these drones, especially when deployed in swarms. The low profiles of small drones make them elusive targets. Multiply their presence, and the challenge to stop them only grows. Scott Savitz Such rapid advancements haven’t gone unnoticed. The Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer, , has pointed out Ukraine’s effective use of technology in the war as a “wake-up call.” Bill LaPlante Former Google CEO is optimistic about Ukraine’s homegrown drone industry. Along with other investors, he has pledged $10 million to D3, a Ukrainian accelerator focusing on drones and related defense tech, as he believes that Ukraine has consistently demonstrated superior innovation against adversaries. Schmidt wrote in the Wall Street Journal that “The future of war will be dictated and waged by drones.” Eric Schmidt Ukraine is on the pathway to becoming a leader in global drone production, according to Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister . Fedorov also pointed out that “we have removed the majority of industry blockers to ease the running of a business. We help Ukrainian UAV manufacturers to receive all kinds of required approvals; we contract their developments and supply them directly to the frontline.” Mykhailo Fedorov Through the “ ” initiative, initially bolstered by President Zelensky’s fundraising drive, Ukraine has electrified its native unmanned weapons industry, also leading to the creation of unmanned maritime drones that continue to wreak havoc on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Army of Drones UNITED24 Ukraine is also making headway with uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUV). The newly-revealed is an underwater drone smaller in size compared to previous generations of Ukrainian naval kamikaze drones used against Russian ships in Crimea. It can also remain in mode for up to 3 months. The drone doesn’t go deep but swims near the surface. Toloka TLK-150 standby The innovation behind this drone is being driven by , a key Ukrainian defense tech initiative, and the Toloka is set to be production-ready soon. BRAVE1, established in 2023, streamlines collaboration between the government, military, and private tech firms. This type of public-private partnership represents the scrappy tech development that Ukraine has so successfully employed in the war. This has sped up the process for tech companies to work with the military, wait times from two years to just six weeks. BRAVE1 reducing Ukraine’s scrappiness in tech development also extends to its fundraising efforts. For instance, through United24, the official fundraising platform of the Ukrainian government, the Ukrainian government turned to crowdfunding to help fund the development of more drones. The online community of “NAFO ” pooled together $250,000 to purchase a drone, cheekily dubbing it “Raccoon’s Revenge” – a nod to the raccoon Russian soldiers stole during their retreat from Kherson. Fellas How naval warfare is changing Vice-Admiral , Ukraine’s navy chief, stated that after the war, Ukraine will write a textbook on naval warfare and distribute it to NATO military academies. He remarked that “The warfare of the future is a warfare of drones,” and no other country can match Ukraine’s experience with naval drones. Oleksiy Neizhpapa In August 2023, for the first time in its history, the established a specialized brigade dedicated to . Ukrainian Navy unmanned maritime drones Ukraine’s effectiveness and the scaled use of swift and nimble boats is influencing the landscape of naval warfare. However, using small boats to detonate bombs is not a new strategy. According to the , the United States tried using drone boats as far back as the 1940s. But in October 2000, Al-Qaeda suicide bombers maneuvered explosive-laden boats into the , which resulted in the deaths of 17 American sailors in Yemen’s Aden port. Economist USS Cole Yemen’s Houthi rebels also weaponized what seemed to be uncrewed vessels. In 2017, they successfully a Saudi warship by using a boat filled with explosives, killing two Saudi sailors. attacked Nations like China and Taiwan are undoubtedly monitoring the situation in Ukraine closely. Considering Ukraine’s ability to develop and deploy these drones to traverse the vast expanse of the Black Sea, has already been looking to invest in similar technology to disrupt any maritime aggression from its more powerful neighbor, the People’s Republic of China. Taiwan Cheap naval drones, being cost-effective and efficiently mass-produced, have proven their mettle against Russia, offering a hint of what might be an effective counter-strategy by Taiwan against China’s navy. Ukrainian drones’ cost-effectiveness combined with their stealthy nature — low water-level cruising and reduced noise emissions — makes them a formidable asset. Despite lacking a significant naval fleet, Ukraine’s use of these drones has been instrumental in preventing Russia from dominating the maritime battlespace and achieving naval supremacy in the Black Sea. Also published . here

Ukraine Is Revolutionizing Naval Warfare With the Help of Scrappy Submarines

Previous Chapter - The Last 3 Days (19): Benevolence Shrugs All published chapters can be found here. 10:39:39 Less than ten minutes later, Nick eased the hood closed so as not to disrupt the quiet darkness and climbed into the driver’s seat. The old sedan started immediately and ran smoothly, so Nick reached for the manual gearshift and bumped his elbow against a cooler on the bench seat beside him. Surely his luck wouldn’t extend this far, he thought, but it did. The cooler held canned drinks. Cold canned drinks. He listened a moment longer as the car picked up speed, up-shifted twice and then popped the tab on a random can and drank. “Hey!” A voice shouted in the darkness. “Those aren’t for you.” A pair of menacing eyes stared back at Nick from the rearview mirror. He planted brake and clutch simultaneously, spilling soda into his lap as the car slewed to a halt. Nick dove out of the car, scrabbling on hands and knees to a safe distance, chased by a drooling can of soda. The rear window wound down, revealing a child’s laughter. “Do that again.” The face of an indigenous youth appeared. “Where did you come from?” Nick demanded. The boy jerked his head back the way they came. “That way. You?” Brushing himself off, Nick returned to the idling car. “I mean,” he said, “What are you doing here, wherever here is, at night, alone?” “Waiting.” “For what?” “My dad.” “Where’d he go?” “For help. He should’a just waited for you.” “How long ago?” “Dunno. I was sleeping.” “Why didn’t he take you?” “Said I’d slow him down.” “Which way did he go?” The boy jerked his head up the road. “He said there was a town not too far.” “I’ve been walking forever, trying to get home. But I can’t leave you here by yourself.” Nick picked up the empty can and held it out towards the boy. “I’m Nick.” “I’m Dean.” “Dean, if I drive you to look for your dad, can I have another soda?” 10:02:11 Dean, now sitting in the front passenger seat, pointed at a road sign that said, ‘Cluster.’ Below it an arrow pointed left and below that, ‘2 MILES’. Nick slowed. A left turn took Nick away from home. “This is the next town.” “Cluster. That’s the one. I think.” Nick turned at the intersection. 09:59:21 A glow appeared in the sky ahead of them. Moments later, the source was obvious. Cluster was burning. A large crowd watched the fire spread, cheering whenever an oil or gas tank exploded within the inferno. They drove past a short queue of vehicles lined up at a cross street aimed directly at the flames, where a young woman wearing her bra waved her blouse like a flag. A car full of people accelerated, horn blaring, into the inferno, and a truck moved up to be next. Nick eased the car past the glassy-eyed revellers and pulled into a gas station. “What’s wrong with them, Nick?” “They’re drunk and angry. Listen. I’m going to ask if they’ve seen your dad. Stay in the car, OK?” Nearby, a drunk young woman, her homegrown beauty unaffected by inebriation, held off several men even more intoxicated with a wine bottle, then stepped away from the crowd. “Sure thing,” Dean said. 09:55:58 Nick exited the open and unattended gas station with a handful of chocolate bars, which he tossed onto the front seat before taking the opportunity to fill the car. At another pump, a group of youths assembled Molotov cocktails using scraps of a t-shirt liberated from the youngest of the group. In the background, a car horn announced the safe return of the daredevils and more cheers. The truck engine revved to dangerous levels then leapt forward, horn wailing, to disappear into the flames. The drunk woman’s erratic path brought her over to the Beater, where she leaned against the hood to get her bearings. Nick had his back to her as he hung up the nozzle. “You gonna pay for that gas?” She asked. Nick turned. “Oh. There was no one inside, so I thought the place was abandoned. I don’t have any money.” Using the vehicle for support, she moved closer. “I don’t want money.” She wrapped her free arm around his neck and kissed him deeply. He responded but then caught Dean watching and stepped away from the embrace. “No. I can’t — “ Then something crashed into him, knocking him to the ground. Covering his head with his arms against a rain of blows, Nick heard Dean screaming. “Dad! Dad! Stop! Dad!” The pummelling subsided. Nick opened his eyes to see his assailant hugging Dean. “Get off me!” Dean separated himself from his father and pulled him off Nick. “This is Nick,” the boy explained. “He was helping me find you.” Hunter studied Nick for a moment, then held out his hand to help him up. “You pumped Regular, right?” “Of course,” Nick answered. “I think this thing predates Premium.” “Good. Long way to go, yet.” “Dean said you’re going to the city. Can I get a ride?” The sound of a horn briefly rose above the roar of the fires — then it went silent, replaced by lingering screams. 03:58:48 Darkness vanished in a flash of light as the sun emerged from behind earth, illuminating the asteroid like a burglar in the night. Unlike a thief, Benevolence B7438 didn’t surrender or relax its determined charge towards earth. Then a tendril of steam slipped from an impact site and the asteroid cracked. 03:44:09 The closer Nick was to home, the slower they seemed to travel. The highway they had to themselves. So too the main trunk roads through the city. But when he guided Hunter into his neighbourhood, the streets were crowded with people congregating on front lawns or standing in the road watching the sky. When Hunter brought his beater to a halt at the end of the Burns’ driveway, Dean leaned over the seat to hug him. He shook hands with Hunter. “You’re home, Nick,” Hunter said. “Thanks to you and Dean.” “No. Thanks to you. You fixed the car. You helped Dean find me. If not for you, we’d never have made it here.” As Nick climbed out, Dean slithered over the seat. “Let’s go get mom.” Home. He made it. 03:43:48 The front door was unlocked, which was just as well as he’d lost his keys somewhere. The TV was on, but as quiet as the rest of the house, though the Anchor’s chair was empty. “Dad!” Nick called. “Mom!” He glanced into the kitchen as he moved past. Nothing. He took the stairs two at a time. “Mom! Dad! I’m home!” He pushed open Jack’s bedroom door. “Jack?” Empty. As was his parent’s bedroom. He walked past his own room and so didn’t see Jay sleeping. Returning downstairs, he checked the office. Not there, either. 03:41:50 Nick went out the front door and trotted down the driveway, scanning the people gathered in groups for any sign of his parents. “Dad! Mom!” No response. Turning back, he noticed the lights were on next door at Eileen’s. 03:41: 44 The Burns and their guests mingled quietly around a table of food and drink in the backyard, constantly scanning the sky for any sight of Benevolence B7438 and debating from which direction would the end of the world arrive. The Sergeant and Eileen sat beside each other in lawn chairs. Becky heard a familiar shout from the street. She peered around the corner of the house — and caught a glimpse of Nick. Nick? She rushed between the houses. 03:41:22 Nick knocked on Eileen’s door a second time. Where is everyone, he thought, when the person he wanted most to see was suddenly right there. Becky. “Nick?” Distracted by Becky, Nick ignored the opening door. “Becky?” Ryan said, “Nick!” And swung his fist, but Nick was already moving towards Becky, so the blow was glancing. Nick stumbled backwards, revealing Becky. “Becky!” Ryan roared. Ryan lunged out the door towards Becky, but Nick stuck his foot out and tripped him. Ryan sprawled on the walk. Rushing past him, Nick grabbed Becky’s hand and hauled her into his house, slamming and bolting the door. Bobby appeared on Eileen’s transom, rubbing his eyes. “What’s with the shouting?” “They’re next door,” Ryan barked. “Come on.” As Bobby joined him, Ryan pointed towards the backyard. “Cover the back.” 03:40:38 Don heard a door slam and moved to investigate, but the sound of running feet slowed him as he reached the edge of the rear wall. Head down just as he’d been trained, Bobby rounded the corner at full tilt, only to discover he was not alone. And there was a cop, he thought as he recognized the Sergeant’s uniform. “Hold it right there, son,” Don said. The other cop. “I said, stop!” Bobby rushed Don, expecting him to move, but Don stood his ground, wrapping his arms around Bobby’s waist then sliding down to trap his legs. Bobby fell to the ground, held there by the Sergeant’s size 13 boot at the base of his neck. 03:40:29 Nick was urging Becky towards the en suite in his parents’ bedroom when he heard his father shout. “In there,” he told her. “Lock the door.” And he was gone. 03:40:24 Ryan straightened from the office window he had just climbed through. The sound of Nick pounding down the stairs sent him darting behind the door. And there, hanging from hooks were two police utility belts, one of them bearing a holstered pistol. Armed with new purpose, he peered into the hallway. Someone else descended the stairs and turned into the kitchen. Becky. He padded after her. Also published here.

The Last 3 Days (20): Cluster's F**ked

HOMECROWD

myhomecrowd.com

1-10 employees

Since 2017

COMPANY RANKING

HOMECROWD

EVERGREEN INDEX #4566

Representing this company? Click here to claim and customize this page!

HomeCrowd WIKI

Apply to get your Tech Company News Page live on HackerNoon.com today!

HOMECROWD

myhomecrowd.com

1-10 employees

Since 2017

COMPANY RANKING

HOMECROWD

EVERGREEN INDEX #4566

RELATED COMPANIESRANK

STORIES ABOUT HOMECROWD

Representing this company? Click here to claim and customize this page!

HomeCrowd WIKI

Apply to get your Tech Company News Page live on HackerNoon.com today!