Sizekick’s

sizekicks

This is a science fiction comic featuring art that is both mine or stolen and that of the Deep Dream generative AI. I hold copyrights on the artwork and text, but you are welcome to use either as you wish. There it was again. The voice of the Matron repeating its petulantly insistent yet imploring demand, interrupting Singularity's quiet reading. "Fact! Fiction! Quiet now, cease the argument!" "Truth! Lies! You two as well, quiet now!" Singularity knew that when the Matron Au Pair issued such a command that the engram embeds in the siblings would demand their obedient compliance, even at this late stage of the post incubation term. Might as well let her speak, the sooner to return to her reading. Singularity was always an avid reader. "I am going to tell you a story about Cowboy Bob. He was a handsome young cowboy, Bob was. And he had two good friends." "These guys were named Chico and Ernie, and they were Reptylez." "Cowboy Bob and Chico were drovers. Ernie was just a cowboy down on his luck." "Cowboy Bob and Chico herded these Bovinids and it was hard work. Paid pretty good though." "After the roundup, Cowboy Bob and his pals would enjoy going out for a few drinks and some poker.” ”They didn't usually go to the uptown saloon. Packed and noisy. Even out into the street, packed and noisy." "And inside there were scads of dancing cowboys all dancing to some loud wild western tune.” "Cowboy Bob and Chico preferred going to a quieter place closer to the outskirts of town. Ernie, well he was just along for the ride and didn't have much say." "The place was run by Chicos's cousin. Maybe all the Reptylez were cousins, I dunno. Anyway the place had a nice bar and a good grill. And a great floor if you wanted to stroll." "So after this one roundup Cowboy Bob and Chico decided to get some chow and a few drinks and play some poker at the saloon." Then Truth interrupted the Matron's monologue. "Is this story actually..." she began. Lies finished the question without a pause, "...going somewhere?" The Matron curtly told them to "Just listen up and learn!" and continued. "A couple of tables away from Cowboy Bob and his pals there were cowboys from the Loudermouth spread south of town and they began to making rude remarks directed at them." "Finally Cowboy Bob had enough and invited one of the Loudermouth boys to a good ass whuppin.” "And one of the Loudermouths was actually foolish enough to have a go with Chico. Reptylez kick ass." "Chico's cousin had called the Shuruff, but by the time the Shuruff and his Deputty arrived some serious ass whuppin had already been dispensed." "The Loudermouths decided that the Shuruff's suggestion of a ride into the sunset would be for the best. They will return next season." "Now Cowboy Bob and Chico can stroll in peace and quiet." "The town Watchman observes everything. So you see how that worked?" Singularity contemplated all of this. She had in fact paid rapt attention, such being the price she would pay to be able to return to her reading. But no actually, she did not see how any of it worked. She thought that the Matron was becoming ever more obtuse in her didactic tales. Perhaps her neuralytics were deteriorating. One thing however was certain. Truth and Lies along with Fact and Fiction would soon return to the never ending squabbles, the Matron's edicts be damned. And she could go back to her reading. OK that’s a wrap. Hope you enjoyed it and thanks for reading! As always Comments, Criticisms, and Suggestions are welcome. Thanks be to God. ☺

Cowboy Bob and His Sidekicks Chico and Ernie

Cowboy Bob y sus compinches Chico y Ernie

Cowboy Bob et ses acolytes Chico et Ernie

काउबॉय बॉब और उनकी साइडकिक्स चिको और एर्नी

カウボーイ・ボブと相棒のチコとアーニー

Cowboy Bob e seus ajudantes Chico e Ernie

Cowboy Bob và những người bạn đồng hành Chico và Ernie

牛仔鲍勃和他的伙伴奇科和厄尼

As the founder of ScaleVoice, I'm leveraging my background in AI and automotive e-commerce to revolutionize sales operations. Our company provides autonomous AI voice sales agents that act as "superhero sidekicks" for automotive sales teams, handling outbound calls, SMS, and chat conversations with human-like proficiency. With a track record of facilitating more than $7 million in monthly car purchases for our clients and processing over one million calls per month, ScaleVoice is at the forefront of AI-powered sales solutions, delivering tangible results and redefining customer engagement in the automotive industry. 1. What is your company in 2–5 words? Ondrej Kuchta: Autonomous AI voice sales agent 2. Why is now the time for your company to exist? OK: VC firm Andreessen Horowitz recently stated, "We believe AI will fundamentally reimagine core systems and sales workflows, leaving no incumbent safe." This paradigm shift presents opportunities for companies like ScaleVoice that specialize in complex, long-term customer journeys. ScaleVoice combines cutting-edge AI expertise with deep automotive sales knowledge. Unlike traditional chatbots that follow strict scripts, our AI agents make decisions based on the conversation context. We focus on delivering tangible results rather than just selling software. Our approach manages end-to-end workflows, from initial customer contact through appointment scheduling and follow-ups. This comprehensive solution sets us apart in the market, where many competitors offer more limited functionality. 3. What do you love about your team, and why are you the ones to solve this problem? OK: I believe we are at the forefront of combining cutting-edge AI expertise with deep industry knowledge. We're not just tech experts - we're domain specialists who understand the unique challenges facing businesses in the automotive space. Our team's blend of skills and experience is what makes us uniquely qualified. We've got seasoned AI researchers and engineers working alongside former automotive executives and sales professionals. This cross-pollination allows us to develop solutions that are technologically sophisticated and grounded in real-world practicality. Equally important, we're passionate problem-solvers driven by results. This outcome-focused mindset permeates everything we do. 4. If you weren’t building your startup, what would you be doing? OK: I'd likely explore other AI applications in business or work on another transformative tech startup. My background spans roles from kernel development to founding my own startups in fitness, retail and home security.Prior to ScaleVoice, I served as the CTO at Driverama, a Germany-based e-commerce platform using data to facilitate used car transactions in Western Europe. Under my leadership, we experienced remarkable growth, expanding from four employees to 250 and increasing revenue from zero to $40 million in less than two years. My success in helping auto dealerships acquire vehicles at Driverama revealed even more opportunities to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies that previously weren't sufficiently advanced or didn't exist. These experiences, combined with the emergence of powerful new AI tools, made the timing perfect for launching ScaleVoice. So while I'm always open to new opportunities, I'm currently laser-focused on ScaleVoice's mission to redefine the future of sales through AI-powered operations. The potential is limitless, and I can't imagine doing anything else. 5. At the moment, how do you measure success? What are your metrics? OK: We have a unique success-based pricing model, which means we only make money when our clients make a sale. Our key metrics include sales volume for our customers, agent success rate, lead response time, and overall call volume which currently exceeds one million per month. At the end of the day, we're not selling software - we're delivering work. 6. In a few sentences, what do you offer to whom? OK: ScaleVoice acts as a "superhero sidekick" for sales teams in automotive and related sectors. Our autonomous AI agents handle outbound calls, SMS, and chat conversations as well as humans. They contact potential car sellers within seconds of their expressed interest, which helps convert more leads into qualified appointments. Most customers don't even realize they're interacting with an AI agent, which means more efficient, consistent conversations and happier customers overall. 7. What’s most exciting about your traction to date? The most exciting aspect of our traction is the consistent, measurable performance of our AI agents in real-world applications. Our work with Aures, the largest Central European dealer of pre-owned cars, has been a particularly significant milestone for us. We're currently facilitating more than $7 million in monthly car purchases for Aures. This impressive figure demonstrates the scalability and effectiveness of our product, even in uncertain market conditions. These kinds of results truly showcase the impact of our technology. Our AI agents aren't just talking the talk - they're delivering tangible business results for our clients. It's exciting to see our solution making such a substantial difference in the automotive sales landscape. 8. Where do you think your growth will be next year? Next year, we expect significant growth as we expand into the US market this fall, targeting states with high concentrations of car dealerships like California, New York, and Texas. We're confident that our proven track record in Europe will translate well to the American market, where businesses are equally hungry for innovative solutions to streamline their customer operations.We also plan to expand into related verticals like car insurance, financing and even the energy sector. These are ambitious moves, but we’ll never shy away from going after challenging verticals as the demand for our technology continues to grow. 9. Tell us about your first paying customer and revenue expectations over the next year. While I can't disclose specific client details, our success with Aures is indicative of our revenue potential. 10. What’s your biggest threat? One of our biggest threats is the rapid pace of AI development and potential competition. We’re staying ahead by continuously enhancing our AI-driven solution to provide even greater value to dealerships and sales teams. We're also developing deeper integrations with management systems and CRMs, enabling more tailored interactions and ability to handle even more complex workflows. For example, our system will soon be able to recognize when a customer's vehicle needs a tire change and facilitate that service on the spot. Beyond single calls, we're developing our AI's ability to manage and convert customers across a series of interactions, creating a cohesive and long-term engagement strategy. Ultimately, our deep industry understanding and laser-focus on tangible outcomes are our biggest advantages. While competitors may try to catch up, we're committed to staying steps ahead through continuous innovation and an unwavering commitment to results. This startup founder interview template is based on HackerNoon Founder & CEO David Smooke’s ten questions for startup founders. Would you like to take a stab at answering some of these questions? The link for the template is HERE. As the founder of ScaleVoice, I'm leveraging my background in AI and automotive e-commerce to revolutionize sales operations. Our company provides autonomous AI voice sales agents that act as "superhero sidekicks" for automotive sales teams, handling outbound calls, SMS, and chat conversations with human-like proficiency. With a track record of facilitating more than $7 million in monthly car purchases for our clients and processing over one million calls per month, ScaleVoice is at the forefront of AI-powered sales solutions, delivering tangible results and redefining customer engagement in the automotive industry. 1. What is your company in 2–5 words? Ondrej Kuchta: Autonomous AI voice sales agent 2. Why is now the time for your company to exist? OK: VC firm Andreessen Horowitz recently stated , "We believe AI will fundamentally reimagine core systems and sales workflows, leaving no incumbent safe." This paradigm shift presents opportunities for companies like ScaleVoice that specialize in complex, long-term customer journeys. Andreessen Horowitz recently stated Andreessen Horowitz recently stated ScaleVoice ScaleVoice ScaleVoice combines cutting-edge AI expertise with deep automotive sales knowledge. Unlike traditional chatbots that follow strict scripts, our AI agents make decisions based on the conversation context. We focus on delivering tangible results rather than just selling software. Our approach manages end-to-end workflows, from initial customer contact through appointment scheduling and follow-ups. This comprehensive solution sets us apart in the market, where many competitors offer more limited functionality. 3. What do you love about your team, and why are you the ones to solve this problem? OK: I believe we are at the forefront of combining cutting-edge AI expertise with deep industry knowledge. We're not just tech experts - we're domain specialists who understand the unique challenges facing businesses in the automotive space. Our team's blend of skills and experience is what makes us uniquely qualified. We've got seasoned AI researchers and engineers working alongside former automotive executives and sales professionals. This cross-pollination allows us to develop solutions that are technologically sophisticated and grounded in real-world practicality. Equally important, we're passionate problem-solvers driven by results. This outcome-focused mindset permeates everything we do. 4. If you weren’t building your startup, what would you be doing? OK: I'd likely explore other AI applications in business or work on another transformative tech startup. My background spans roles from kernel development to founding my own startups in fitness, retail and home security. Prior to ScaleVoice, I served as the CTO at Driverama, a Germany-based e-commerce platform using data to facilitate used car transactions in Western Europe. Under my leadership, we experienced remarkable growth, expanding from four employees to 250 and increasing revenue from zero to $40 million in less than two years. My success in helping auto dealerships acquire vehicles at Driverama revealed even more opportunities to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies that previously weren't sufficiently advanced or didn't exist. These experiences, combined with the emergence of powerful new AI tools, made the timing perfect for launching ScaleVoice. So while I'm always open to new opportunities, I'm currently laser-focused on ScaleVoice's mission to redefine the future of sales through AI-powered operations. The potential is limitless, and I can't imagine doing anything else. 5. At the moment, how do you measure success? What are your metrics? OK: We have a unique success-based pricing model, which means we only make money when our clients make a sale. Our key metrics include sales volume for our customers, agent success rate, lead response time, and overall call volume which currently exceeds one million per month. At the end of the day, we're not selling software - we're delivering work. 6. In a few sentences, what do you offer to whom? OK: ScaleVoice acts as a "superhero sidekick" for sales teams in automotive and related sectors. Our autonomous AI agents handle outbound calls, SMS, and chat conversations as well as humans. They contact potential car sellers within seconds of their expressed interest, which helps convert more leads into qualified appointments. Most customers don't even realize they're interacting with an AI agent, which means more efficient, consistent conversations and happier customers overall. 7. What’s most exciting about your traction to date? The most exciting aspect of our traction is the consistent, measurable performance of our AI agents in real-world applications. Our work with Aures , the largest Central European dealer of pre-owned cars, has been a particularly significant milestone for us. Our work with Aures Our work with Aures We're currently facilitating more than $7 million in monthly car purchases for Aures. This impressive figure demonstrates the scalability and effectiveness of our product, even in uncertain market conditions. These kinds of results truly showcase the impact of our technology. Our AI agents aren't just talking the talk - they're delivering tangible business results for our clients. It's exciting to see our solution making such a substantial difference in the automotive sales landscape. 8. Where do you think your growth will be next year? Next year, we expect significant growth as we expand into the US market this fall, targeting states with high concentrations of car dealerships like California, New York, and Texas. We're confident that our proven track record in Europe will translate well to the American market, where businesses are equally hungry for innovative solutions to streamline their customer operations.We also plan to expand into related verticals like car insurance, financing and even the energy sector. These are ambitious moves, but we’ll never shy away from going after challenging verticals as the demand for our technology continues to grow. 9. Tell us about your first paying customer and revenue expectations over the next year. While I can't disclose specific client details, our success with Aures is indicative of our revenue potential. 10. What’s your biggest threat? One of our biggest threats is the rapid pace of AI development and potential competition. We’re staying ahead by continuously enhancing our AI-driven solution to provide even greater value to dealerships and sales teams. We're also developing deeper integrations with management systems and CRMs, enabling more tailored interactions and ability to handle even more complex workflows. For example, our system will soon be able to recognize when a customer's vehicle needs a tire change and facilitate that service on the spot. Beyond single calls, we're developing our AI's ability to manage and convert customers across a series of interactions, creating a cohesive and long-term engagement strategy. Ultimately, our deep industry understanding and laser-focus on tangible outcomes are our biggest advantages. While competitors may try to catch up, we're committed to staying steps ahead through continuous innovation and an unwavering commitment to results. This startup founder interview template is based on HackerNoon Founder & CEO David Smooke’s ten questions for startup founders. This startup founder interview template is based on HackerNoon Founder & CEO David Smooke ’s ten questions for startup founders . HackerNoon Founder & CEO David Smooke ten questions for startup founders Would you like to take a stab at answering some of these questions? The link for the template is HERE. Would you like to take a stab at answering some of these questions? The link for the template is HERE. The link for the template is HERE.

10 Questions for Every Startup Founder with ScaleVoice Co-founder & CEO, Ondrej Kuchta

In the bustling streets of the digital metropolis, influencers are the modern-day celebrities, their voices echoing through the vast corridors of social media. But as the sun sets on traditional influencer monetization methods, a new dawn is breaking: the age of AI-driven engagement. 🔥 The Digital Hustle: Engagement's Heavy Price Hello, world! I'm Dzmitry Leukavets, founder of WAKA. As a front-row spectator of the influencer realm's evolution, I've seen the seismic shift AI is bringing. But first, let's dive into the numbers. Stat Alert: The influencer market skyrocketed from $1.7 billion in 2016 to a whopping $16.4 billion in 2022. Yet, 61% of people trust influencers for product recommendations. This trust underscores the importance of genuine engagement. Historically, influencers have been the bridge between brands and consumers. From the 1700s, when Josiah Wedgwood collaborated with Princess Charlotte, to today's social media moguls, the essence remains the same, but the methods have evolved. 🚀 The Engagement Dilemma: Always On, Always Exhausted Sarah L., with her impressive 500k followers, captures the sentiment perfectly: "The digital world doesn't sleep. But humans need to." The rise of platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok has revolutionized the way influencers engage. But with global audiences spanning multiple time zones, the pressure to be constantly "on" is immense. 🤖 AI Chatbots: The New Influencer Sidekicks These aren't just bots; they're the future. With 80% of top-tier influencers now integrating AI for engagement, the age of automation isn't coming; it's here. AI chatbots, like Waka, offer a solution to the engagement conundrum. They provide real-time, personalized responses, ensuring fans always feel valued. This not only amplifies engagement but also boosts loyalty. Stat Alert: Influencers leveraging AI have seen a 60% increase in monetizable interactions. The game is changing, and fast. 💰 Beyond Chats: The Revenue Revolution AI bots are more than conversationalists; they're sales magicians. With a 70% surge in conversion rates for AI-empowered influencers, the revenue potential is undeniable. Brands integrating chatbots have experienced a 67% increase in conversion rates. This isn't just about casual banter; chatbots can transition a fan conversation towards transactions, promoting merchandise, exclusive deals, or paid content. 📊 Data Goldmine: Insights That Drive Strategy Bots aren't just about engagement; they're about understanding. With AI-driven insights, influencers can tailor their content strategy, resonating deeper with their audience. These interactions provide a goldmine of data, offering insights into fan preferences, behaviors, and interaction patterns. This data-driven approach helps influencers refine their strategies for maximum impact. ❤️ Personalization: Crafting Unique Fan Journeys In a world craving personalized experiences, AI bots deliver. They craft interactions tailored to each fan, forging deeper connections and loyalty. Modern chatbots, with their advanced algorithms, can curate personalized experiences for fans, making them feel seen and valued. Stat Alert: A staggering 66% of fans are more likely to engage long-term with influencers offering personalized interactions. 🌐 Democratizing AI: The Future, Accessible to All AI shouldn't be a luxury. Platforms like WAKA are breaking barriers, ensuring every influencer, irrespective of their tech prowess, can harness AI's magic. The no-code movement, exemplified by platforms like WAKA, allows influencers to tap into the power of AI without the technical hurdles. 🌟 The Road Ahead: The AI-Powered Influencer Era As we stand at this digital crossroad, the message is clear: AI is reshaping the influencer landscape, and those ready to embrace it are set to soar. The influencer landscape is rapidly evolving, and AI chatbots like Waka are leading the charge. Ready to experience the AI magic? Dive into WAKA's world and be a part of the future. Limited beta access spots up for grabs – https://waka.uwu.ai/

How AI Bots Are Reshaping the Creator Economy

Friends, fellow adventurers, lend me your ears (or eyes)! Today, we’ll take a joyride into the world of RxJS to tame the sneaky gremlin known as memory leaks. Fasten your seatbelts as we unveil the mystic arts of keeping our code clean and our spirits high. JavaScript The What: Memory Leaks, The Unseen Culprits Alright, before we dive into our detective toolkit, it’s worth taking a moment to truly understand our adversary. . They might sound like something that sprouts in your garden after a heavy downpour, but trust me, they’re a lot less fun. Memory leaks Think of your application’s memory as a high-end, all-you-can-eat buffet. Your Observables are the patrons, consuming memory instead of the latest chef’s special. Normally, they’d eat their fill (perform their operations) and then leave, making room for the next hungry Observable. All’s well in our digital eatery. But here’s where memory leaks, the sneaky critters, slink in. Imagine a patron who eats, and then sits there. And sits. And sits some more. They’re not eating anymore, but they’re taking up valuable space, preventing new patrons from getting a seat. This squatter is our memory leak. In the world of RxJS, memory leaks happen when Observables linger around in memory, long after they’ve finished their tasks. They’re no longer needed, but they stick around anyway, taking up precious space. But why is this such a big deal? Well, the more memory leaks you have, the less memory is available for the parts of your application that genuinely need it. This can lead to slower processing times, and in severe cases, can even cause your application to crash altogether. Imagine your buffet getting so crowded with non-eating patrons that there’s no room left for new customers, or even for the staff to move. Chaos ensues, orders pile up, the kitchen gets overwhelmed, and eventually, the whole place could grind to a halt. That’s the kind of digital disaster we’re looking to avoid. And armed with the right tools and know-how, it’s a disaster we’re going to sidestep with grace and style. So let’s roll up our sleeves and prepare to banish these sneaky squatters once and for all! The How: Gearing Up Against Memory Leaks Now that we’ve identified the culprit, it’s time to arm ourselves with some techy tools to prevent those notorious memory leaks in RxJS. We’ve got five tried-and-true techniques here, each ready to tackle memory leaks in its unique way. Ready? Let’s dive right in! Async Pipe: The Auto-Handler users, rejoice! If you’re using Angular, you can call in the pipe in your templates to handle subscribing and unsubscribing from Observables. Angular oversees the lifecycle of the async pipe, automatically unsubscribing when the component is destroyed. Here's a glance at how this works: Angular async <div>{{ source$ | async }}</div> In this snippet, Angular is taking the wheel, managing the Observable via the pipe and ensures the Observable isn’t left unattended, preventing any mischief. As you might have already noticed, using it requires one main condition to be met. The observable has to be rendered in the template, but this is not always the case. This brings us to the trusty ‘unsubscribe’. source$ async The Trusty Unsubscribe Unsubscribing from Observables is like finishing a good book: you close it, return it to the shelf, and then move on to the next one. And just like the end of a book, you’ve got to know when to say “that’s a wrap” to your Observables. When you subscribe to an Observable, you get back a Subscription object. And this Subscription object carries an method. You'll typically want to call this method in the lifecycle hook if you're using Angular or in the case of React ( for VueJS and etc.). Here's how you do it: unsubscribe ngOnDestroy componentWillUnmount unmounted class MyComponent implements OnDestroy {

  ...

  private subscription: Subscription;

  constructor() {
    this.subscription = source$.subscribe();
  }

  ngOnDestroy() {
    this.subscription.unsubscribe();
  }
} In this Angular snippet, we tell our Observable to halt in its tracks when we're done with it by calling . It's like giving a gentle nudge, reminding it to let go. But what if you are managing a large number of subscriptions and don’t want to write repetitive code for storing subscriptions and unsubscribing? source$ .unsubscribe() The Multi-tasking Combination of takeUntil and Subject: If you’re juggling multiple subscriptions within a component, operator with a Subject has got your back. The concept here is to create a Subject that emits a value whenever subscriptions are no longer needed, for example when the component is destroyed or some other event has happened. Then, you use on every subscription. This way, you're instructing all your Observables to wrap things up when the component is on its way out. takeUntil takeUntil(this.destroy$) class MyComponent implements OnDestroy {
  private destroy$ = new Subject<void>();

  ...

  constructor() {
    observableOne$.pipe(takeUntil(this.destroy$)).subscribe();
    observableTwo$.pipe(takeUntil(this.destroy$)).subscribe();
    ...
    observableNinetyNine$.pipe(takeUntil(this.destroy$)).subscribe();
  }

  ngOnDestroy() {
    this.destroy$.next();
    this.destroy$.complete();
  }
} The tells , and others to keep on keeping on until sends a signal. Once it does, the game is up. No more precious memory is being taken! takeUntil observableOne$ observableTwo$ destroy$ Important to remember that it doesn’t have to happen only when the component is destroyed Here are two example cases: class MyComponent {
  private stop$ = new Subject<void>();
  ...

  constructor() {
    sourceOne$.pipe(takeUntil(this.stop$)).subscribe();
    sourceTwo$.pipe(takeUntil(this.stop$)).subscribe();
    ...
    sourceNinetyNine$.pipe(takeUntil(this.stop$)).subscribe();
  }

  onStopStreaming() {
    this.stop$.next();
    this.stop$.complete();
  }

} In the first one, is being triggered by event method. stop$ onStopStreaming() class MyComponent {
  private stop$ = new Subject<void>();
  ...

  constructor() {
    sourceOne$.pipe(takeUntil(this.destroy$)).subscribe();
    sourceTwo$.pipe(takeUntil(this.destroy$)).subscribe();
    ...
    
    finalise$.pipe(
      tap(() => this.stop$.next()),
      tap(() => this.stop$.complete())
    ).subscribe().unsubscribe();
  }

} And in the other one, it’s being triggered by another observable called . You can probably think of other use cases where this legendary combo can do the job greatly. finalise$ Auto-Complete Operators: The Effortless Unsubscribers Alright, code aficionados, let’s talk about some real gems from the world of RxJS: the auto-complete operators. These operators are like the unsung heroes of your Observable sequences, providing an effortless way to handle subscriptions and ensure graceful unsubscription. Get ready to let these operators take the wheel while you sit back and relax! I’ll cover each operator briefly and provide links where you can read more so that you don’t get too bored and eventually reach the end of an article. first() : The Early Bird First up, we have the trusty . Just like the eager early bird, it swiftly grabs the first emitted value from the Observable sequence and then gracefully completes, bidding adieu to any lingering subscriptions. It's all about getting a head start! first() elementAt() : The Precise Selection Sometimes, you need to be precise, like when you’re searching for your favorite song in a playlist (still can’t come up with a better example). The operator comes to your rescue by allowing you to select a specific element from an Observable sequence based on its index. Once that desired element is emitted, the sequence is automatically completed. It's like having a direct line to the value you want, ensuring your subscribers get exactly what they're looking for. elementAt() take() : The Limited Edition Next on the list is the versatile . Think of it as a limited edition collector's item. With , you can specify the number of values you want to pluck from the Observable sequence. Once it reaches that magic number, it gracefully exits the stage, leaving the spotlight on the chosen few. take() take() takeWhile() : The Conditional Watcher Last but not least, we have the observant . This operator acts as a watchful sentinel, keeping an eye on the values emitted by the Observable sequence. As long as a specific condition holds true, it dutifully passes the values along. But the moment the condition evaluates to false, it exits the stage with a graceful bow. takeWhile() These auto-complete operators are like your trusty sidekicks, taking care of the subscription lifecycle and ensuring you don’t have to worry about memory leaks. So go ahead, embrace the simplicity, and let these operators do the heavy lifting for you! Rock ’n’ Roll with Hot Observables But what if you have multiple subscriptions to one Observable? Here comes our next super start. Picture this: you’re at a concert and the band is jamming. Regardless of when you or other fans join in, the band doesn’t start the song over, right? The melody (data) keeps flowing! That’s the beauty of hot observables. They’re the cool rock stars of the RxJS world, belting out data, whether anyone is there to groove to it (subscribe) or not. The charm of hot observables is their easy-going nature. Their data production doesn’t care for the formalities of subscription; it’s like they’re in their own world, performing data sequences independently. This means you’re not stuck initiating a new data sequence for each new fan (subscriber). Sounds like a pretty sweet gig for memory and processing power, eh? Now, in the RxJS band, you’ve got some built-in functions like , , , , etc., that are born hot observables. But guess what? You can also turn a cold observable into a hot one using the or other similar operators ( , , , etc). Check this out: fromEvent() interval() of() timer() share() shareReplay() connect() connectable() // cold observable, chilling alone
const cold$ = new Observable((observer) => {
  observer.next(Math.random());
});

// hot observable, ready to rock
const hot$ = cold$.pipe(share());

// Fans (subscribers) join the party
const subscription1 = hot$.subscribe(val => console.log(`Fan 1: ${val}`));
const subscription2 = hot$.subscribe(val => console.log(`Fan 2: ${val}`));

setTimeout(() => {
  // A late fan gets the same experience
  const subscription3 = hot$.subscribe(val => console.log(`Fashionably late fan 3: ${val}`));
}, 1000); See what we did there? We transformed a lone, cold observable into a hot one with the operator. Now, no matter when the fans (subscribers) decide to join the party, they're jamming to the same data, reducing the need for multiple encores (executions). share() There you go, code rockstars! You’ve got the power of hot observables at your fingertips. Ready to rock ’n’ roll with memory efficiency? Let’s hit it! Let’s view a bit more boring example that is very common in daily life: getUserData() {...} // makes api request and returns user data as Observable
getUserAccounts() {...} // makes api request and returns user accounts as Observable
getUserTransactions() {...} // makes api request and returns user transactions as Observable
const user$ = getUserData();

// option 1: using cold observable 
const coldUser$ = user$; // API will be called 2 times
const userAccounts$ = coldUser$.pipe(concatMap((user)=>getUserAccounts(user)));
const userTransactions$ = coldUser$.pipe(concatMap((user)=>getUserTransactions(user)));

// option 2: using hot observable case
const hotUser$ = user$.pipe(share()); // API will be called once and result will be shared
const userAccounts$ = hotUser$.pipe(concatMap((user)=>getUserAccounts(user)));
const userTransactions$ = hotUser$.pipe(concatMap((user)=>getUserTransactions(user))); <div>{{ userAccounts$ | async }}</div>
<div>{{ userTransactions$ | async }}</div> Both and utilize a response from a common observable. The advantage of using the observable (as in option 2) is that the API for fetching user data will be called only once since there will be a single subscription, and the response will be shared. userAccounts$ userTransactions$ hotUser$ The Wrap: You’re Now a ‘Leak Detective’ And that’s a wrap, folks! Armed with , , , and many others, you're now a certified RxJS memory leak detective. You're ready to charge into the battlefield, slaying memory leaks left and right. async unsubscribe takeUntil Just remember, the secret to keeping your code clean is understanding and vigilance. With these trusty tools and strategies, you’re on your way to crafting efficient, leak-free code. Good luck, fellow code warriors. May your code be bug-free and your coffee strong! Also published here. Lead image by Lokajit Tikayatray

Mastering RxJS Memory Leaks: The Leak Detective Handbook

Just like any other form of technology, future innovations in science and social media alike are only as good as the people involved in them. Meaningful change will only come when you happen to be a part of their evolution. Future technology is an that requires a lot more than just old tech browsing online for hours on end. That being said, let’s explore four key technological developments and look at how they can bring meaningful change to the world of social media: ever-changing sphere 1. The Internet of Things The will allow for the gathering and analysis of data from smart devices such as thermostats, sensors in your home or car, or even your body to give you unprecedented knowledge about where you live or work. Internet of Things This can carry great weight in the , with platforms potentially accessible from multiple devices that range beyond , PCs, and tablets. development of social media smartphones The Internet of Things can bring great levels of depth to the social media experience, with the potential for biometric readings to offer greater interaction with our health, and the potential to even curate content based on our mood. 2. Smartphone Sidekicks Smartphone Sidekicks will act as a secondary screen that can be used to display additional information. These accompaniments behave in a similar manner to that of leading smartwatches on the market today, and the technology can help to incorporate more natural gestures and movements - rather than relying on touch screen mechanics. One of the good examples of this are the new Samsung devices that include an additional screen, for instance, Galaxy Z Fold 4. Image Source: SmartphoneChecker These additional screens are generally used to show basic info like time, date and other widgets. However, Galaxy Z Fold 4 includes a fully-functioning additional screen. 3. Gestural Interfaces are cool ways to use your body in order to control objects, devices, or software. Users can produce signs and symbols to trigger events, or interactions. One of the major benefits is that it makes functions feel more immersive because users have the power to physically channel their thoughts into reality by miming gestures into control mechanisms. Gestural Interfaces These functions are partially present when using VR headsets already. However, additional handheld equipment is still needed for gestural interfaces within VR. 4. Augmented Reality (Graph showing the number of mobile augmented reality (AR) active user devices worldwide from 2019 to 2024. Source: ) Statista is one of the more widely known terms across the field of technology today. AR is the overlay of digital images on top of the real world. It allows for a new way to communicate and bring new information to life. Augmented Reality Users can see city maps, video call with friends no matter where they are, or even show what their favorite foods would look like in a recipe and their impact on their body. It’s even possible to see data come to life as it relates to everyday life. These are just a few of the ways that science and social media will be connected in the future. Not only do we have to consider the social impact these new technologies will have, but also how they will change the way we interact with other people. There are ways to alter your future by knowing how the tech world will change the way we communicate, and that is by learning how to do better. Being proactive in your social media interactions will help pave the way for more people to consider it an important part of their lives. What does the future hold? Future Technology is one of the most important things to think about. This is a very interesting subject that many people have thought about because of how quickly society has changed and we use social media. how much Some people believe that this technology is going to become more like an addiction, and some think that it is already an addiction. Some people agree with me and some disagree. There are a lot of reasons why people think that way. It all has to do with how much on it. Some people think that it is too much time and others think that it is just enough. time people spend In the future, technology will become a lot more advanced and that we will be able to do a lot more with technology. In the future, we may be able to have actual 3D avatars rather than facetime. More advancements in technology are changing our lives, whether it is at a personal level or an organizational one. It was only 25 years ago that the first color television was introduced to the market, and now over 90% of American households own a digital device. In fact, there are over two billion new devices being released every year. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), in 2013, global technology spending rose to $1.9 trillion dollars. This is the highest amount of spending in seventeen years and the 6th consecutive year of growth. The U.S. has been leading this growth at 20%, while Western Europe, with a 12% growth rate, and Japan, with 10%, have also seen double-digit increases in technology spending during this time period. This is a clear indication of how fast technology can grow and gives hope for the future.

How Will Future Technology Change Social Media?

Analysts need assistance to keep up with cybersecurity needs. This encapsulates more than companies hiring more staff, despite perpetually increasing demand. Cybersecurity automation could revolutionize the industry, providing more protection and risk management supervision. However, automation creates concerns — how effectively can it detect and respond to cyberthreats? Can it adapt to emerging technologies and trends better and faster than human intervention? There are pros and cons to having automated sidekicks in cybersecurity, so it’s vital to understand the functionalities to make informed decisions as a company or individual. What Does Cybersecurity Automation Look Like? Cybersecurity automation implements technologies to perform various tasks. It isn’t just about performing regular updates for antiviral software — it includes everything from increasing the to identifying the source of an active threat. strength of prevention infrastructure Technological advancements have increased the capabilities of cybersecurity automation to provide a more holistic complement to security programs. They could help with managing threat alerts to remediation around the clock. The job market for cybersecurity is highly competitive, with insufficient talent to meet demand. With an increase in cybercrime worldwide, everyone seeks ways to strengthen the security of their digital assets. Everyone must consider automation a viable option to bridge the gap between human employees and industry needs. It can help and protect data in customer relationship management (CRM) programs. However, is it enough to act on its own, or will it merely supplement an existing cybersecurity infrastructure? monitor security with chatbots Cybersecurity Automation — The Pros Cybersecurity automation has many pluses all teams should consider. Extra Eyes Though a staffed-up cybersecurity team fosters a sense of calm, cybersecurity automation could provide even more oversight when combined with machine learning. A constant stream of novel data lets cybersecurity automation perform and penetration tests. These programs could encourage passivity in analysts from keeping up with industry trends and emerging threats, but big data could educate them more. more accurate vulnerability scans Since humans monitor and operate automation, it’s just as easy for operators to glean information from that data as it is for automation to put it into practice. Analysts will have access to extensive historical data, allowing them to be more in tune with industry priorities. Extra eyes equal a greater spread of potentially inaccessible information before intelligent integrations. Price Teams that delegate specific responsibilities to automation open up time and financial resources, especially if the tasks are time-consuming, repetitive and a waste of potential staff talent. This includes to regularly scheduled updates. Automation is cheaper than investing in an employee, allowing companies greater flexibility and freedom within budgets. test automation and validation Ultimately, the price paid to invest in automation will continue to hold value over time, tangibly and emotionally. The workforce will feel less burned out since their focus can be on more impactful and fulfilling initiatives. Companies that employ automation in the event of a breach. With that return on investment (ROI) being so fruitful, a company can refocus additional funds on everything from investing more in their current staff to further improving cybersecurity infrastructure. could save $3.05 million Scalability Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning could work with automation to provide the most streamlined and knowledgeable experience in the sector. This malleability to work with other emerging tech and Internet of Things (IoT) devices is a direct testament to the scalability of cybersecurity automation. More data equals more insight and better compliance, allowing any outfit to scale to outlined needs. Smarter technologies could even adapt as trends or human usage habits shift. Companies that want to (IAM) for a workflow shift can do so with automation. If it detects an influx of spam emails — or notices employees opening them — it could implement preventive measures to adapt to that immediate threat. change identity access management Cybersecurity Automation — The Cons Despite all the good points, there are also some cons to consider. Perceived Loss of Influence Automation has the potential to make analysts feel undervalued. It could provide relief and empowerment to some in the industry but could also be the source of more anxious discourse. Analysts know technology is flawed — it’s why they’re in the sector — so leaving important business to programs might dishearten some. Though automation is not in a position now to , there are constraints to the speed and accuracy of analysts that automation could assist. usurp the abilities of human hands The con of automation isn’t that it would replace human analysts — it’s that it would make people feel obsolete. These emotions coincide with a feeling they aren’t as adequate at performing their job when automation can carry out significant facets of it. However, employers can mitigate this fear by reinforcing their stability so performance doesn’t decrease because of worry. Price Though the price of automation was a pro, it could also be a con, depending on the circumstances. Cyberintelligence teams may need training for the systems a company wants to implement. Therefore, resources need to be invested in creating a literate team. In the meantime, adapting to a new workflow can cause distractions and decreased productivity. It could also lead to excess downtime since oversight is minimal. However, this is easily remedied with prior planning and knowing how to allocate resources once implementation is complete. Investing in automation can yield increased ROI in the long run, but it is a hefty upfront cost, especially for smaller businesses. Making that leap may be demanding, especially if automation is an unfamiliar landscape. Inaccurate Expectations People and technology should work synergistically. However, cybersecurity automation is still a budding industry. Therefore reliance on it to be a total solution would present flawed logic — especially since programmers design them. Though , automation is just as capable of making mistakes — it just might have a different appearance. human error causes many security threats Obtaining a perfect balance of trust in human staff alongside automation would be challenging for anyone looking to incorporate it. However, increased awareness of capabilities and oversights is crucial for developing accurate expectations of the risks. Does the Future Need More Cybersecurity Automation? Regardless of the benefits or potential drawbacks, cybersecurity automation is inevitable. Technological advancements mean workloads will not become lighter for analysts, who are consistently in a cycle of triaging. Taking advantage of the opportunity of automation will create a safer technological and digital landscape for all, as the talents of human analysts can constantly improve alongside more innovative automation.

Pros and Cons of Cybersecurity Automation

Pros y contras de la automatización de la ciberseguridad

Avantages et inconvénients de l'automatisation de la cybersécurité

साइबर सुरक्षा स्वचालन के पेशेवरों और विपक्ष

サイバーセキュリティ自動化の長所と短所

Prós e contras da automação de segurança cibernética

Ưu và nhược điểm của Tự động hóa an ninh mạng

网络安全自动化的优缺点

We all are shocked by the terrible war Russia started, and we care for Ukraine and its citizens. While working as a developer, I used to work with many talented Ukrainians (the world knows how great Ukrainian programmers are!) and have made a lot of friends among them. I deeply empathize with them now, especially when I hear stories of my friends. One of them has to sleep in the subway with his family because it’s the closest shelter to his home. The other lost the house he built in Irpin, a small cozy town near Kyiv. He and his family put so much effort and spent so many years creating the home of their dreams, and now it’s gone, ruined by Russian troops. His kids are devastated, but he says: “at least we’re alive.” When I hear it, my heart breaks. Since the beginning of the war, I’ve been helping Ukraine, for example, by donating money. But it still feels like it’s not enough. I think the world doesn’t pay enough attention to Ukraine’s and Ukrainians’ problems. Probably because we can’t imagine what they are going through. I believe we aren’t helping them enough, and we could do more. So, I decided to collect different ways of supporting this great people struggling for freedom and share them with you. If you’ve already donated money or offered your help to refugees from Ukraine but still feel you could do more (like I do), this list is for you. As for me, I decided to teach and tutor Ukrainians for free. Giving them a fresh start in a new field (because many of them have lost their previous positions, maybe forever) is my way of helping Ukraine. 1. Hire a Ukrainian Unfortunately, many people have already lost their jobs after the beginning of the Russian invasion. It’s hard to estimate the number of Ukrainian developers who lost their jobs precisely, but in general, 53% of Ukrainians became unemployed after the war started (according to the survey conducted by Rating Group in March). And many more to go. Ukrainian developers, who have been highly appreciated on the global market, face a huge problem now. Due to the martial law declared by President Zelenskyy, men from 18 to 60 years old can’t leave the country, which makes it impossible for developers to relocate. But they can and are willing to work. Also, Ukrainian women who fled the country can and want to work. And working for these people nowadays means supporting not only themselves but the Ukrainian economy as well. Many of them are top-notch specialists. Many companies have considered Ukraine a high-risk territory and started to shut down some outsource projects involving Ukrainians. Also, Ukrainians on a startup’s team mean potential problems with investment attraction. If the company can’t guarantee the safety of its employees, it’s an additional risk for investors. I think it’s unfair, and I urge you to help if you can. For example, consider hiring a Ukrainian developer or other IT specialist (in marketing, design, management, etc.) if you have a job opening. There are several websites you can use to find the person you need: — there are over 2,000 active profiles of Ukrainian professionals on this website Hire for Ukraine — you can send the information about a job opening to them or become a volunteer if you have HR-related experience Hire The Ukrainian — you can post a job description and it won’t cost you a penny. Currently, there are 7,000+ candidates and 2,500+ jobs here. Employ Ukraine 2. Learn with Ukrainian apps Remember I told you that Ukrainian developers are outstanding? So, you can trust me when I say they can develop a quality app for studying. For example: — if you’ve been reading me for some time, you’ve probably heard about this service. I think it offers an extremely practical way to learn Java, and I’m happy to mention that it’s a Ukrainian project. It helps you become a Java developer even if you’ve never tried coding before. Practical tasks, a minimal amount of theory, plus an option to study with a mentor. Also, this company recently started a project aiming to provide Ukrainians who lost their jobs with a new career in IT. When you buy a subscription, two subscriptions go to the Ukrainians who need them to start a new profession (details — ). CodeGym.cc here — this service can be useful for those developers who work in multinational teams and want to learn a new language (or several languages). It offers help in finding a language tutor, a convenient platform for studying, and a virtual classroom. Also, you can track your progress and see how your speaking and vocabulary improve. Preply — helps to learn more efficiently by training your brain. With this app, you can start reading much faster, improve your memory, and become more focused and concentrated on what you’re doing at the moment. ReadLax Sure, this isn’t a complete list of Ukrainian companies worth your support. If you know others, feel free to write about them in the comments. And here is one more way to help Ukrainians to which I’m currently devoting almost all my spare time: 3. Use Ukrainian software and services As the world gets more and more interested in the war updates, the awareness of Ukrainian businesses and products grows. Here are some of them you probably have never heard about (although you should, in my humble opinion): — a DevOps platform that helps companies maximize the overall return on software development. It enables a team to perform all the project tasks: from planning to deployment. GitLab — this company’s productivity applications work on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Some of them were named Editors’ Choice and Apps of the Year by Apple. Readdle — Ukrainian service for finding developers for startups. This company suggests a match for the opening in 24 hours and calls itself “the exclusive community of startup sidekicks.” Lemon.io — this service makes meetings work by recording, transcribing, and creating summaries by AI. It is compatible with Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, and Webex. Sembly.ai — this data management platform helps scale your company’s data operations. As the company says, using its product may lead to an 80% reduction in time and money. Datuum.ai 4. Use your professional skills to help Ukrainians For instance, if you’re an IT consultant, offer your services to people in need. If you’re a high-skilled professional, become a mentor for an aspiring Ukrainian building a career in your field. If you’re an educator, launch a free online course. If you have a site — you could add on it. this widget We have so much to give, and we can’t be stingy now. Ukraine didn’t start this war, but it must win it for all of us. The world needs Ukraine’s victory to continue believing that freedom still means something, and people have the right to be themselves without the fear of getting killed for it. The war will end eventually, and Ukraine will face the next challenge: recovering. Ukrainians will have to rebuild the country, so their economy needs a lot of support. If we can do it, we should. And the final note. Also Published Here

Supporting Ukraine as a Programmer

It is Batman season yet again, a fresh take on the character is on its way to the silver screen with starring Robert Pattinson. Over the years, the caped crusader has had his fair share of games, lots of them in a battle for best Batman game ever. Assuming all goes well, we should have Gotham Knights loaded up on our consoles later this year, and I can’t wait. However, before we treat ourselves to more stories about The Dark Knight, let's break out our batarangs and rank the top 10 best Batman games of all time. The Batman List of the Best Batman Games of All Time 10. The Adventures of Batman and Robin 9. Batman (NES) 8. Batman Begins 7. Batman Arkham VR 6. Batman: The Telltale Series Shadows Edition 5. LEGO Batman: The Videogame 4. Arkham Asylum 3. Arkham Origins 2. Arkham City 1. Arkham Knight 10. The Adventures of Batman and Robin The Adventures of Batman and Robin for the SNES is a bonafide classic Batman game. This side-scroller action take on the caped crusader is also one of the best tv show tie-ins on the platform. For fans who grew up with the animated series, this is a special game that faithfully adapts the cartoon to a video game. Entire levels are based completely on the cartoon, and the gameplay is quite fun, featuring multiple tools at your disposal for plenty of combat diversity. 9. Batman (NES) Batman for the NES holds a special place in my heart. It is actually the first video game I remember playing on the NES at a young age. Seeing the pixel art batmobile at the game’s opening on a chunky CRT is a core memory. This is also a rock-solid platformer that ties into the . Batman draws inspiration from Ninja Gaiden with its wall jump mechanic and brutal difficulty, and trust me, this game can get tricky. It also features a delightful gritty aesthetic, fitting for a Batman game and tie-in to the Tim Burton film. Check this one out if you’re a retro game enthusiast. 1989 movie 8. Batman Begins The story surrounding video game adaptions of the Nolan films is quite an interesting one. At one point, the now-defunct Pandemic studios were in charge of an ambitious tie-in to The Dark Knight that was unfortunately canceled. However, Batman Begins received a video game, and it is a damn good one. Batman Begins combines Splinter Cell style stealth with classic beat-em-up combat mechanics. Going back and playing it now, it certainly feels like a rough blueprint for the Arkham games with its fear mechanics and stealth concepts. What I enjoyed most about Batman Begins was how it fleshed out a lot of the world in the Nolanverse. We got a better look at Arkham Asylum, the Narrows, Wayne Manor, and even a fun Batmobile chase sequence. 7. Batman Arkham VR Every Batman game review has the same line, “this game really makes you feel like Batman,” but what if the game actually made you Batman? Enter Batman Arkham VR, where you can fully take the mantle of the world’s greatest detective and fight side by side with Robin in this Gotham murder mystery. While, unfortunately, there is no combat in this VR game, there is an excellent sense of interactivity with the world that you would come to expect from a VR experience. You can utilize Batman’s gadgets, interact with the Batcomputer, and of course, try your hand at throwing batarangs. 6. Batman: The Telltale Series Shadows Edition The Shadows Edition of the Batman Telltale series is great, combining the original first season with the second season’s Enemy Within in one story-heavy package. This edition of the series is particularly unique in that it grants the option to play both games in a black and white noir-like color scheme which I really enjoyed. The action takes a backseat in these games, seeing as Telltale games are all story-driven, decision-based games. However, it still is a compelling Batman game overall. Due to its nature, the Telltale series dives into Bruce Wayne’s psyche far more than any other game on this list. Batman fans should definitely check this one out for a more personal view on Bruce Wayne. 5. LEGO Batman: The Videogame Traveller's Tales has a habit of taking existing franchises and turning them into lovable LEGO games that spill over with humor and quirk. Batman is no exception. There is just so much to love about LEGO Batman. You get to see a fully explorable Batcave and Arkham Asylum that serve as hubs to heroes and villains, respectively, and you can even play as Alfred. LEGO Batman has a vast amount of levels and characters to play to the point where you can tell that the developers have a lot of love for the source material. It even has the classic theme from the 1989 Batman movie! LEGO Batman is a great game and even ranks high as one of the best LEGO games, period. 4. Arkham Asylum The game that changed superhero games. Arkham Asylum is one of those genuinely influential games, the presence of which is still felt over a decade later. On influence alone, one could argue that this is the best Batman game ever. Take a look at Insomniac's Spider-Man, and you will see how much the Arkham games influenced it. There is a good reason why so many games use the same combat system as Arkham Asylum; no other system feels as satisfying and rhythmic as the one Rocksteady perfected on their first try. Other massive successes for Arkham Asylum were its superb level design that takes inspiration from Metroidvanias, top-notch voice acting from longstanding Batman voice actors, and incredible visuals that still hold up today. If you’re a Bat-fan that still hasn’t played this one, I don’t know what to tell you. Go get it now! 3. Arkham Origins In a world where Arkham Origins didn’t release after the pivotal Arkham Asylum or the fantastic Arkham City, Origins would have been rated much higher. There were some big shoes to fill, and unfortunately, Arkham Origins was released in a buggy state, which tainted the first impressions for many gamers. However, this game has some real merit, especially in its story, which gives us a closer look at Bruce Wayne and has some great moments of friction between him and Alfred. Origins also contains the best DLC in the Arkham series, Cold, Cold, Heart. If you’re like me and grew up with the animated series, I’m sure you have some admiration for the Heart of Ice episode, and this DLC is like an expanded version of it. 2. Arkham City Arkham City took everything great about Arkham Asylum and doubled down on it: more villains, a bigger city, and improved gameplay. Never before has any studio so perfectly captured the feeling of being Batman, perched on a city rooftop and keeping watchful eyes on the Gotham streets below. I especially loved Arkham City because it cared for the lesser villains in the Batman universe. Hugo Strange being one of the main villains and Clayface being the final boss is a great way to bring lesser explored characters to the forefront. But overall, the amount of heroes and villains in Arkham City is overwhelming, and it's an excellent game for fans of the Bat. 1. Arkham Knight I know, I know, this is far from many people’s first choice. But hey, this is my list, and I am here to say that Arkham Knight is the best and the most well-rounded Batman game you could ask for. Some of my disappointments with Arkham City were that it felt very narrow in scale both in the city size and how much it utilized so many characters in Batman’s cast. Arkham Knight alleviated these concerns and improved upon everything Arkham City had built. Arkham Knight’s rendition of Gotham is truly sprawling, far larger than Arkham City’s map, and has more iconic landmarks spread through the world. It’s big enough to house the batmobile, which is a point of contention for many gamers, but personally, I found the batmobile to be really entertaining. Plus, fan-favorite sidekicks like Robin and Nightwing are playable with a whole tag team combat mechanic that is oh so satisfying when you get Batman and Nightwing synced together in an epic dance of gadgets and groin kicks. To me, Arkham Knight evolved the series everything a Batman game should be, and for that reason, it is the best batman game of all time. Final Thoughts on the Best Batman Games of All Time I said it initially, Batman has had his fair share of games throughout the years. Moreover, a 1989 Batman game making the top 10 list also proves that developers have been making some excellent Batman games ever since they could bring the caped crusader to home consoles. Just don’t play the Batman & Robin movie tie-in game; that would be a huge mistake. As always, this is just my own personal take on the best Batman games, and hopefully, I could convince you to try something new or, at a minimum, give Batman Arkham Origins a second chance. Keep your eyes peeled for some new Batman games because one thing is for sure, the world's greatest detective likely has more stories to tell.

10 Best Batman Games of All Time

Super Heroes have never been more popular and profitable than they ever have. Whether from Marvel, DC, or somewhere else, it’s never been a better time to be a Super Hero fan. Luckily, some of the best Super Heroes of all time have also been part of the very best that the gaming industry has to offer. Spider-Man, Batman: Arkham City, Injustice, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, the list goes on and on. While some heroes have been given the light of day, some are still stuck in the shadows, praying when they can get the game that they deserve. These are just some of the heroes that deserve their own game. Even if they’ve co-starred with other heroes or starred in a forgotten gem, it’s about time they get the game that does them justice in today’s age. 1. The Punisher Frank Castle has had an interesting life in the gaming world. He starred in a few titles back in the early ‘90s and even had a pretty decent movie game that saw Thomas Jane reprise his role from the 2004 flick. After a god-awful Multiplayer game on the PS3, he has stuck to the sidelines as a playable character in games like Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 and a few mobile titles. The Punisher can be an easy character to adapt, but you either need to have an over-the-top bloodbath game or a gritty-noir story to do the character justice. We can easily see studios like Naughty Dog, for its grounded storytelling in The Last of Us, Machine Games, for its delightfully violent Wolfenstein games, or Remedy Entertainment, for basically making a Punisher game called Max Payne, taking on a project like this. 2. Wonder Woman Wonder Woman has been featured in many games that starred the Justice League, but not so much as her own solo adventure. With Gal Gadot bringing the heroine to life on the big screen, you’d think that people would want to play an action-adventure game starring Comic’s First Lady. Warner Brothers have plenty of studios under its belt, with Shadow of Mordor developer Monolith being the perfect devs to bring her first digital adventure to life. Who doesn’t want to see Wonder Woman stabbing and chopping heads off in an M-rated action game? 3. Black Panther It’s hard to put into words how much of an impact Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther had on the entertainment industry. While Marvel has had a few black Super Heroes, none have become as iconic as Prince T’challa. He’s become a symbol of black empowerment and has starred in the highest-grossing solo superhero movie. While he’s made appearances in Marvel’s Avengers and Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, it’s about time we see the industry give him his own solo adventure. Marvel’s Avengers had some elements to make a Black Panther game, but they were never fully realized so that the developers could make another expansion for the live-service experiment. If given a chance, Crystal Dynamics could knock a Black Panther game out of the park. 4. Batman Beyond Batman is no stranger to the Gaming Industry, with the Arkham series being one of the most iconic Super Hero franchises. Though his sidekicks will be taking the stage in the upcoming Gotham Knights, his future successor hasn’t had the best luck. Batman Beyond has plenty of potential for a brand new take on Terry McGuiness and his relationship with a retired Bruce Wayne. The younger version of Batman needs at least one good game under his belt, especially after that awful Return of the Joker game. Even if it’s not Rocksteady, we can see WB Montréal create a digital version of Neo-Gotham. 5. Jessica Jones There have been plenty of detective games, but few with a grounded, Super Hero protagonist. Jessica Jones is the ultimate private eye of the Marvel Universe. She has immense strength, but rather than go up against alien threats, she keeps things grounded and investigates the dirty underbellies of the Marvel universe. This could allow for some intriguing, crime-solving gameplay, similar to games like LA Noir or Judgement. While Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and Daredevil have had their moments as playable characters, Jessica Jones could benefit the most of all the Defenders. 6. Captain America Captain America has been no stranger to the gaming world, but few have put him at the center stage. Those that have done so have been less than exciting, ranging from generic 2-D Beat’em ups or licensed-tie-ins. His last game, Captain America: Super Soldier, had a lot of potential but was ultimately wasted so it could coincide with the 2011 flick. If given another chance for a similar Prince of Persia meets Arkham Asylum style of game, Steve Rogers could knock it out of the park. But if they feel like Rogers is too played out, there’s always the chance of bringing his recent replacement, Sam Wilson. 7. Black Widow Spy games were all the rage back in the late ‘90s and throughout the 2000s. Splinter Cell, Metal Gear, and Perfect Dark were just some of the biggest names in the spy genre, but we haven’t seen much of them in the AAA scene. What better way to bring it back than having the most famous super spy around, Black Widow? The game could take inspiration from Splinter Cell Blacklist and allow players to customize the way they play. Or, we could see an action RPG from Obsidian, similar to the cult hit, Alpha Protocol. The possibilities are never-ending. 8. Blade Before Black Panther, Spider-Man, X-Men, and The Avengers made it to the big screen, Blade was the character that helped prove that Marvel movies could be entertaining and violent. While he’s headlined a few games, they were the typical licensed movie tie-in garbage. With the character set to make his MCU debut, it is a perfect time to make a Blade video game that does him justice. Blade is a snarky, one-line throwing bad-ass that wields a sword and guns. While Capcom creating it might be a stretch, we can see Ninja Theory, who developed DMC: Devil May Cry and Heavenly Sword, taking on the mantle. Conclusion With Marvel’s Guardian’s of the Galaxy coming out next month and Gotham Knights out next year, we’re slowly starting to see the big two comic book companies finally take some risks in the gaming industry. No one would’ve guessed the Avengers would ever assemble in gaming or expected that Batman starred some of the best games of all time. Now that Marvel and DC have made their marks in the gaming space, they’ll both need to take more risks if they want to stay on top.

5 Super Heroes Who Need their Own Game

Like all , WIRED’s new mascot is more than a cute cat and a line of code CryptoKitties Pictured: WIRED’s new mascot, Catoshi Nakameowto Flip to page 13 of the January 2019 issue of magazine to meet their new mascot: a beautiful bananacream with dark tiger striped fur and bewitching eyes named , in honour of Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Wired CryptoKitty Catoshi Nakameowto Congrats, WIRED, on your new feline friend! Also, kudos on an explanation of what makes a CryptoKitty stand out from other digital items (or creatures) you may own: “You may love your Pokemon, but — hold them close — they’re not really yours: the world they inhabit could be shut down in a corporate eye-blink. WIRED’s CryptoKitty, however, lives immortally on the Ethereum blockchain.” No matter what happens to CryptoKitties and the company behind them, Dapper Labs, WIRED’s Kitty is theirs forever. Catoshi is truly special Each Kitty, including , is (NFT) on the Ethereum blockchain, a new token standard created by that sparked the cryptocollectibles industry. Catoshi an ERC-721 non-fungible token Dapper Labs CTO Dieter Shirley Unlike cryptocurrencies, each NFT is unique, like a piece of art. Think of it this way: with a cryptocurrency like bitcoin, it doesn’t matter bitcoins you own, only . Like exchanging multiple five dollar bills, every Bitcoin is interchangeable with every other for the same value. With a CryptoKitty (or any NFT), however, the value is inherent to CryptoKitty you own, and Catoshi’s value can be derived from all sorts of external and personal considerations, from what it means to other CryptoKitties players to what it means to you as Catoshi’s owner. which how many which NFTs have opened up new forms of ownership Dapper Labs recently developed to help NFT creators protect their artwork and allow owners to do more with the cryptocollectibles they own. an NFT License In a nutshell, the NFT License gives NFT owners the rights to commercialize the art of their digital assets up to US$100,000 per year. Want to slap your Kitty on a set of adorable coffee mugs? Please, espresso yourself. Want to snuggle all night with a pillow version of your Kitty? Sounds pawsitively dreamy. Want to launch a clothing line bearing your Kitty’s visage? The catwalk awaits. Good luck doing that with your Mickey Mouse figurine. NFTs paired with the NFT License allow owners unprecedented freedom over their assets. Copyright can’t stop copycats Historically, artists have copyrighted their work to protect themselves and ensure they get properly compensated. This worked for generations of creatives. But then the Internet came along and made copying and distributing art — songs, images, movies, whatever — as simple as a few clicks. Copycats have outpaced copyright, and it can no longer protect creators. Instead of embracing that old model, the NFT License tries to define and empower real digital ownership that makes sense for the real world. And it shouldn’t just be Dapper Labs determining what the future of ownership looks like: the NFT LIcense is free-to-use and modify, and the team is constantly seeking feedback and . iterating on their approach Smart contracts — programs built into the Ethereum network — benefit creators and owners alike. Smart contracts can trace provenance and ownership and pay out artists not just at the initial sale, but every time their work changes hands. They can also create novel ways for owners to enjoy and their tokens. They can bring their digital sidekicks into new games and experiences. They can customize them to better express their personality. They can bring them into the physical world. use “Googly-eyed cartoon felines may seem frivolous, but they illustrate how decentralized services can give consumers power.” — WIRED

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