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I want you to know all the latest information, which is why, in today’s article, I’ll talk about the mind-blowing AI that was released a few days ago! If you want to know more details, please read this article till the end! About Sora AI OpenAI announces a new AI called Sora. This AI can create a video from your text. That’s insane! I believe it will be very useful for content creators, filmmakers, web developers, and others who work with this kind of content. The new model aims to convert text-to-video. It can generate a video from plain text. Sora is not available to the public yet, but OpenAI has already shown amazing videos made by Sora. Check them out. Video by Sora AI Examples of prompt: Animated scene features a close-up of a short fluffy monster kneeling beside a melting red candle. The art style is 3D and realistic, with a focus on lighting and texture. The mood of the painting is one of wonder and curiosity, as the monster gazes at the flame with wide eyes and open mouth. Its pose and expression convey a sense of innocence and playfulness, as if it is exploring the world around it for the first time. The use of warm colors and dramatic lighting further enhances the cozy atmosphere of the image. Amazing right?! :) Let me show you a few other prompts and the results. Prompt: A young man at his 20s is sitting on a piece of cloud in the sky, reading a book. Prompt: A cat waking up its sleeping owner demanding breakfast. The owner tries to ignore the cat, but the cat tries new tactics and finally the owner pulls out a secret stash of treats from under the pillow to hold the cat off a little longer. This model will definitely change the way we create videos. It’s an amazing tool for visual artists. Sora is able to generate complex scenes with multiple characters, specific types of motion, and accurate details of the subject and background. The model understands not only what the user has asked for in the prompt, but also how those things exist in the physical world. https://openai.com/sora Limitation of Sora AI At this time, Sora can create a video up to 1 minute long. It’s a maximum size. The OpenAI team promised to ensure that it’s safe to use before making it available to the public. To show you that Sora is not 100% perfect, please take a look at this video. Prompt: Basketball through hoop then explodes. Hidden Feature of Sora AI Another cool feature that Sora will support is the ability to take an existing image and generate a video from it, animating the image’s contents with accuracy and attention to small details. Sounds amazing and scary at the same time! I’m looking forward to seeing this functionality in action! Please share your thoughts about Sora in the comments below! Cheers! Also published here

Beyond Text-to-Video: Sora AI's Secrets Unlocked! Usage Tips, Limitations, and More

What I am going to say will sound pretty controversial to the OGs in the NFT space. But here I say it anyway, the current ! NFT market lacks creativity Opensea, the largest marketplace of Digital art, has managed to revolutionize and democratize access to a market that was regarded as impenetrable for many and very lucrative for ‘the few’ - a little bit like which created accessible and disposable love; which allowed everyone to fly (in Europe); and which created free entertainment for millions of (Zhang Yiming words, not mine). Tinder Ryanair TikTok ‘jobless and unstable people’ Opensea has also contributed to the creation of a market valued at around USD 147.24 billion (Source: Yahoo! Finance) and the sprawling of more curated and niche marketplaces, such as KnownOrigin, Nifty Gateway and SuperRare to name a few. But with over 347,442,293 items at the time of writing and counting, one can spend countless hours scrolling through the infinite amount of colorful content listed on their marketplace. If you asked me to pick my favorite, I probably wouldn’t know where to start - I am not an NFT art critic after all… But wait, that’s not a skill needed in this sector. Twitter is there for a reason! A beehive of ‘users’ championing their latest 'favorite' #web3 project and then, there is Discord, full of ‘users’ who want to belong, but with the ultimate goal to pump the project and flip it at a later stage for a higher price. On the project side, we always see the same, copy-paste marketing tactics: Create or delegate the creation of a character/story/'utility'. Form a community of ‘believers’ with the aim to sell out the initial limited collection. Buy real or fake followers to inflate numbers and create FOMO (fear of missing out). Offer prizes, whitelist spots, discord spots, merch...to entice potential buyers or 'influencers' to shill the project. Create partnerships with other projects to shill more NFTs to their communities. Hire Chief Vibes Officers (this is new) to pump the morale of the community when the price goes down. Cash out as soon as possible, or at least until the community is still active and/or the price is starting to decline, or the founders simply run out of steam. : Brands need to lure in buyers to survive, no matter what and I am a big marketing believer. The aforementioned marketing tactics provide results for the project, but they ultimately need to add value to the end user and increase their UTILITY (intended as economic utility = satisfaction that a person derives from the increased consumption of products and services). Disclaimer In #Web3, the ! In fact, most web3 investors look at community numbers as a key metric to base their investment decisions (right or wrong). But in the #Web2 world, - at least in most cases. community is King sales come first, community comes second But if the brand wants to keep its community engaged, price offerings and meaningless collabs are not enough. Community is a v ery expensive resource that has to bring repeat sales, loyalty and advocacy for the brand. aluable, but also a v It’s about evolving the product and service offering. Think of , they lured us in by making us feel unique and special by holding one of their headsets, then they hooked us into their Apple ‘ecosystem’ and never-ending products and iOS updates. But they also offer great customer service, unique offline experiences, an addictive app ecosystem and never-ending ancillary services, such as Apple Pay, Apple Music, iCloud, Apple TV, etc. Apple Yes, I hear you…this requires a massive team, an infinite amount of money and big masses of adoring customers, but this is real product marketing. Now, let’s draw some parallels with #Web3 projects: Customer service is crowd-sourced by the community, at least until we run into some hack/scam/spam. Founders’ details are mostly unknown. Most partnerships are done to cross-sell whitelist spots and increase sales. Ancillary services are mostly access-based, i.e. exclusive parties, premium discord channels access, etc. Projects upgrades are slowly taking shape in the form of regenerative NFTs, memberships, and redeemable NFTs, but it’s still early dawn. …all in the name of ‘Utility’! Folks, we can be more creative than this! NFTs will reach their true potential when we will start looking at this technology as a ‘key that unlocks specific pieces of content that are either stored on chain or off chain’. NFTs can revolutionize the way we create value for the whole ecosystem and our end customers by: Transforming the way we run and retribute partnerships. Turning walled gardens into interoperable ecosystems. Creating real economic utility for all users involved. Designing new and alternative revenue streams. Protecting and monetizing our IP! Treating users as ‘ ’ and providing them with the flexibility to jump from one ecosystem to the other. - which is revolutionary! This is frowned upon in Web2, where loyalty is everything, but it could become a winning strategy in Web3 Web3 shareholders The more they contribute to the creation of value for the brand, the more value they can take back To conclude, NFTs can turn short-term and predatory business tactics into cooperative and resilient business models, by remunerating everyone for their . The more we put in, the more we can take out, if we wish to! ongoing contributory value This is also what #blockchain is all about - collaboration = co-creation of value! Welcome to ’ New Input Economy! Niftyz

NFT Utility is Waiting to be Unlocked

2019 has been the year of . With less than 2 months to go before we march into 2020, I think it’s a safe claim to make now. What’s surprising here is that barely a year ago, crypto pundits had almost unanimously declared that 2019 would be the . But when has the crypto market ever listened to the mandate of the people? So what started as a novelty in January, had become a rage by the middle of the year. And although the intensity has reduced a bit now, there is no sign of the IEO chariot stopping. IEOs year of STOs ICO Bad, IEO Good The last quarter of 2017 was possibly the best time to be a crypto investor. Bitcoin was reaching new highs every other day, altcoins were pumping as if on steroids, were giving insane returns. It looked like nothing could stop the crypto market capitalization to cross the trillion dollar mark. And then it all turned sour. 2018 saw Bitcoin crashing through the floor, dragging down the entire crypto market along. ICOs ICOs lost their charm, with most of them getting dumped on listing. A handful (such as Quarkchain, Elastos and Holochain) still managed to return multi-fold profits, but the charm associated with ICOs was gone. In fact, a lot of these ICOs ended up being mere . They were even for the fall of the crypto market, with people claiming that ICOs selling off their raised funds was what had caused the bear market! exit scams blamed ( ) BTC price started its uptrend in the first quarter of 2019, and with it we saw the rise of the IEOs In essence, IEOs from ICOs – both are instruments through which blockchain projects raise funds for their growth and development. In case of an ICO, the onus lies on the investor to assess the legitimacy of the process; a tough task for an ordinary individual. On the other hand, the token sale of an IEO is conducted by a particular crypto-exchange. Since the exchange’s reputation gets associated with the project, it’s fair to assume that the exchange would have diligently audited the project. aren’t much different Furthermore, IEO sales are invariably followed by the listing of the project’s token on that exchange within a few days of the conclusion of sales, providing liquidity to investors. In case of ICOs, token sales with a guarantee of listing, or delayed for months in some cases (cough, Wanchain, cough)! And finally, exchanges typically allow only verified customers to participate in their IEOs, taking care of all KYC requirements on behalf of the project. didn’t even come Binance and the Birth of IEOs The modern-day hullabaloo regarding IEOs might have started with Binance’s of BitTorrent’s token sale on their Launchpad platform back in January, but they had actually dabbed with this concept as early as 2017. Conducted in December of 2017, during the peak of the bull rush, and were technically the first IEOs. Back in those days, people had failed to appreciate Binance’s tactical move, and had shrugged them off as just another profit-making ICO. announcement Bread Gifto Hosting token offerings involves dealing with a host of regulatory and supervisory issues. Binance kept their cards close to their chest for a year after that, refined their Launchpad procedure, and announced their return to the scene with a bang (BitTorrent actually in USD ATH). did a 15.4x This IEO model was soon picked up by other exchanges, and a host of IEO platform announcements followed – KuCoin came up with , Huobi launched , and OKEx gave us to name a few. Spotlight Huobi Prime Jumpstart The success of BitTorrent was repeated by and , which piqued people’s interest in IEOs. Around the same time, Bitcoin broke out of its year-long slump, bringing cheer and positivity back in to the crypto-markets. This helped the cause of the IEOs to a great extent as well. If this is anything to go by, IEOs listed on most of the large-volume exchanges have generally done quite well, so much so that Binance got quite frisky and even toyed with the for a while. Fetch.ai Celer report idea of IDOs Every self-respecting exchange has a platform for conducting IEO sales today (image courtesy CryptoPotato ) Life After Listing Just like the ICOs in their heydays, the first few months of the IEO chapter ran on steroids. The craze surrounding projects that got selected through Launchpad was reminiscent of the madness surrounding altcoin listings on Binance in 2017. Investors started buying (still untradeable) tokens for as high as 4x of their IEO price through OTC channels on Telegram and Discord. Projects like , and kept the momentum on. Other exchanges also started making their presence felt, surpassing Binance in terms of ROI now and then – on OKEx touched 18.1x and on Huobi breached 13.9x in terms of ATH in USD. Matic Harmony Elrond BlockCloud Top Network Unfortunately, life for IEO investors hasn’t always been rosy, specially the ones who pooled through Discord (you know who you are). When it comes to authenticity of the IEOs, there has been the occasional , but for the most part exchanges (at least the popular ones) have done their research properly before selecting a project. In any case, reports of exit scams are almost unheard of when it comes to IEO. bad egg Even so, there is nothing that can guarantee the long term price sustainability of token prices. And what has skyrocketed in a matter of days has usually come crashing to the ground really hard. How IEOs Helped the Exchanges Binance had initially followed the FCFS model for IEOs, but it soon realized that this idea could be utilized to drive up the price of its native token BNB. They swiftly moved on to a new model where the number of IEO tokens a customer could buy depended on the number of BNB in the person’s account. And as has often happened in the crypto world, other exchanges like KuCoin and Huobi didn’t waste any time in adopting this new model again  (seriously, Binance should start considering filing patents for their ideas). This led to a chain of events – greater the ROI of a project, more the demand for the exchange’s token, and higher its price movement. As an aftermath of this model, an interesting situation arose. There have always been accusations (like this by CRED) that exchanges charge projects a considerable amount of money (in tokens) for listing their tokens. As soon as the token shows a positive price action, the exchange sells all the tokens paid as listing fee – no obligation held back the exchange here. article In the new IEO model, however, the price appreciation of the exchange’s token itself became dependent on the success of the projects that were listed. If investors saw successive IEO projects getting dumped, they would lose interest in holding the exchange’s tokens as well. This effectively meant that even if the exchange had been paid a listing fee for ‘selecting’ that particular IEO, they wouldn’t do anything that would cause the token price to crash. Moreover, projects listed through IEOs typically release a small portion of their total tokens to the public on listing, and private investors are paid through monthly or quarterly installments, thereby ensuring that there are simply not enough tokens available in the market to dump the price during the listing phase itself. Inspite of the anti-scam and anti-dumping protection that IEOs offer over ICOs, many projects have seen their token price go below the IEO sale price. Case in point – , a blockchain-based advanced TCP/IP architecture which promises to provide improved quality for dynamic networks. Listed at a price of $.005, BLOC tokens soared to $0.089, before crashing down to $0.0018. Today it’s trading at $0.0024 – a grand ROI of 0.5x. BlockCloud BlockCloud - a great pump followed by a unholy dump Now if the exchange had no ulterior motive of dumping the token price, who exactly was responsible for this? Were there whispers of a scam, or did investors just become disillusioned with the project due to lack of progress? What Determines Long Term Value? It's not even been 10 months into the IEO story, and we already have more than a 100 IEOs to choose from. And though the time period is hardly sufficient to properly analyze the factors that might affect the long term price sustainability of a project, we'll still try to make sense out of this madness here. Top 10 IEOs by Current ROI (as per CryptoRank ) would be a major factor in my opinion. IEO projects listed on exchanges like Binance, Gate.io, OKEx, Huobi and KuCoin have generally returned profits to investors (unless you were waiting for a moonshot and missed your mark). If you don’t trust the exchange, it’s going to be difficult to trust a project which the exchange has backed as well. And while popularity is not the true measure of trust, it’s nonetheless a good starting point in the absence of other indicators. Popularity of the IEO platform IEO ROIs for various exchanges (as per CryptoRank ) There is the curious case of though, which is listed at #10 in terms of current ROI. V SYSTEMS is a blockchain database cloud project that is creating a secure underlying infrastructure platform, with a special focus on DeFi applications. V SYSTEMS V SYSTEMS' IEO was held on little known Chinese exchange ZB.com, where the VSYS token soared up to 24.6x. Even after a considerable correction, the token is trading at 2.8x now. VSYS is listed on KuCoin as well, and it can be argued that KuCoin’s reputation had much to do with their performance, but it still remains an exception to our hypothesis here. is another critical factor. Announcements of new exchange listing assures investors that the project is at least trying to increase their token liquidity, if nothing else. Moreover, every exchange might not be available to users all over the world. Under such circumstances, the possibility of trading tokens on multiple exchanges becomes even more important. Token liquidity Binance itself had from accessing their website, till they came up with their US counterpart. restricted customers in the US A notable exception here is , #4 in our list of IEOs ranked by current ROI. Tokoin is a blockchain startup from Indonesia which is trying to accelerate the growth of emerging markets is South-East Asian countries by using distributed ledger technology for identity verification and transaction book-keeping. Tokoin Listed on KuCoin through their Spotlight program almost 3 months ago, they are yet to be listed on another exchange (as per ). That hasn’t affected their token price, and although it’s down from its ATH of 9x, it’s still trading at a more-than-respectable 4.2x. CMC should be another factor affecting the token price performance. As has been typically seen in case of ICOs too, projects which target a lower during their sales have more space to grow in the market, and on an average outperform projects which start with larger market caps in terms of ROI. Amount of funds raised through IEO hard cap IEOs which have done well have usually had their hard caps set between $0.5million to $3million, a range which can be considered to be reasonable for a blockchain project. Do keep in mind that projects usually also raise funds through private investors simultaneously, but the bulk of the initial circulating supply is comprised of tokens sold through the IEO. But just like the other 2 cases, we have (#7 in the list of IEOs by current ROI) spoiling our theory here. BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer network running on the TRON blockchain, which allows content creators to directly monetize their work and earn payments in crypto. BitTorrent BitTorrent’s hard cap of $7.2million can by no means be considered to be moderate. Going by Binance’s , the initial circulating supply of BTT tokens actually corresponded to a market cap of $10.8million. And the token price skyrocketed to 15.4x, corresponding to a market cap of $166million! So much for our assumptions. IEO details page So, What’s the Secret to Success? Only the top 10 IEO projects were considered as a sample set, and we found an exception to each of our hypotheses. If we dig deeper, I’m sure there will be many more. Reputation of exchange, higher token liquidity, initial market cap, nothing seems to matter so much. Is it back to the Wild West days of the ICOs then, when tokens would just pop up for no reason whatsoever? One common factor which ties these 3 projects is that they are led by individuals who have established themselves as virtuosos in their respective fields. , CEO of TRON Foundation, is also the . While he is hated by more than those he is loved by, his contribution to establishing Tron as one of the top 10 coins by market cap can’t be ignored by any means of imagination. Justin Sun owner of BitTorrent V SYSTEMS’ Chief Architect is , the creator of Proof-of-Stake consensus algorithm and “the single most original altcoin developer” as per . And as for Tokoin, their CEO leads a group consisting of multiple sectors and industries, and has been the ‘Top 2 Indonesia Successful Young Entrepreneurs Under 40’. Sunny King Vitalik Buterin Reiner Rahardja awarded So yes, there’s no magic formula, but just sheer hard work and a sense of commitment which can ensure that an IEO gives positive returns to its investors. All 3 of these exceptions have working products out in the market today, and the same holds true for other projects in the list of winners too. And even though IEOs might be safer to invest in than ICOs today, the truth is that reading about the project’s vision and looking up the team’s credentials is the only possible way of making an informed choice. But you knew that all along, isn’t it?

Are IEOs a Passing Fad or Are Their True Value Yet to Be Unlocked?

I'm the program manager on the developer experience team at and have been working hard with and the team here to launch the Kin Crypto Challenge. Today, I am happy to announce that it is now live! We’re calling all mobile developers to take the Kin Crypto Challenge and build creative and addictive peer-to-peer Kin experiences. Kin Devpost The challenge is designed to help developers take their mobile app to the next level by integrating Kin experiences that encourage social, peer-to-peer interaction, community building, and increased retention. Kin will give away over $80,000 in prizes, including $25,000 and a marketing package valued at $2,000 for first place. Kin is helping developers create amazing peer-to-peer experiences within their apps and providing developers with an additional source of revenue. By rewarding developers for creating incredible user experiences and giving users the ability to seamlessly use Kin across apps, the Kin Ecosystem is building an entire digital world where people are meaningfully rewarded for their online contributions. We’re really excited to see what kinds of creative implementations developers enter into the Kin Crypto Challenge. Developers participating in this challenge are required to integrate the Kin SDK into their mobile app and submit your project to Devpost by October 14th. Each app has to incorporate at least one social feature with Kin. This can be a leaderboard, group challenges sponsored in Kin, user-to-user tipping in Kin, or anything else you can think of. There are “Mini Challenges” This is my favorite part. On top of the prizes in USD participants can win, the first 100 eligible developers can get 200M Kin for going live and up to 100M Kin for completing Mini Challenges. The Mini Challenges are designed to actually help guide developers through their projects and remind them to promote themselves and give feedback. We will be releasing new challenges throughout the Kin Crypto Challenge to keep it interesting. Checkout details on the . Mini Challenges page I’m excited to see which apps will join this competition. If you have an app in mind and was contemplating about starting a project, or if you know  someone that you think can fit this program, please share and have them sign up for this challenge

Challenge Unlocked, The Project Is Launched

How much do you trust me? That’s mostly rhetorical as I expect the answer is not a lot, if even at all. Why would you? What credential or reason do you have for extending pleasantries to me with respect to any level of trust or understanding? You may have read a couple of my blog posts in the past, or just discovered my writing for the first time, but neither is a strong basis for trusting anything I say or enough to compel you to take any specific action which has the potential to harm you in any way. That is to say that online trust is impossible. In the physical world, it is maintained by third parties and intermediaries who ensure what is ours remains ours, what we are due gets paid, and that we are not taken advantage of by unscrupulous actors trying to exploit us. The most radical leap forward in terms of innovation that blockchain achieves is that it destroys the need for that third party to exist today. Right now we need a bank to ensure that money we are due by someone else reaches our account. They deploy double entry bookkeeping which debits the account of the person who owes you that money and credits your account with it. That is the revolution that has enabled the world to evolve throughout history, while before that there was no mechanism which could ensure we got paid. Trust makes the world go round Blockchain is the innovation that enables this where it’s impossible It enables trust in a trust-less setting, between people who needn’t know each other’s identity. If that sounds like a small thing, consider for a second whether you would unlock your phone and allow me to scroll through its content without being able to object or stop anything I was doing. You wouldn’t right? But what if there was a technology that recorded every single thing I done on your phone, displayed it on a public incorruptible ledger which keeps that record for the rest of time for anyone else to see at their leisure? If you could look back at my history on there, see that I’d been given 100 people phones and never done anything untoward before to anyone else, would that increase your willingness to trust me? If that record said that I had done something I shouldn’t have, my reputation would be there for you to see and you would have the evidence you need to not trust me. You could choose who you could extend your trust to based on their historical actions, guaranteed by a peer to peer network who’s consensus algorithm is designed to weed out people we can’t rely on. To think of that a different way, Snapchat has a feature which tells you if somebody else screenshots a picture you have sent to them. This has hurt a huge number of teenagers in the past who’s trust has been broken by a friend who has shared that private image with other people. Blockchain would record this bad behavior and maintain it as a public record anyone could see. This could stop people from sharing information with people who cannot be trusted. It could also trace the leak back to the person who started it by encoding the users public key on the data that was shared. Blockchain ensures we know the people we can trust while echoing that information globally for anyone to tap in to. It lets us trust people until they misbehave where they will be barred from transacting on the platform. Naturally, the initial way this innovation was deployed was through money. It was the most profitable mechanism by which intermediaries being removed could have the widest possible benefit. Next, it will replace every institution where there is currently a third party required to ensure the transaction occurs as it should Property deeds, contractual agreements, escrow will all be massacred by the blockchain. No longer do these things have to be rooted through centralized databases when we can maintain the record ourselves, confirm transactions and ensure that it is literally impossible for people to go back on their word or reverse a record on the chain. More trust, quicker clearing, on a ledger which takes longer than the lifespan of the universe to hack That is the level of security and trust you can place in a system that can’t be hacked at one location or maintained by a single party. Everyone confirms there own and everyone else transactions Everyone ensures those records are not tampered with. Everyone benefits Everyone saves There has never been this depth or breadth of win win win opportunity for humanity in our history. It is time to deliver that promise

How Blockchain Lets you Trust an Annonymous Stranger With your Unlocked SmartPhone

Many in the global crypto community are very critical of traditional banks. And who can blame them — for long banks have enjoyed a dominant position in managing our personal funds and financial interactions. This has expanded to such an extent that it seems impossible to separate “banks” as institutions from “banking” as a service. However, this doesn’t need to be so and things are changing fast. However, next-generation digital technologies are permeating throughout the financial sector and enabling us to perform beyond outdated banks. Regulatory changes such as the European Union PSD2 directive are also opening up new horizons for exploration, by helping to create a layer of innovative service providers on top of existing financial infrastructure. And in addition, businesses are increasingly becoming global, bringing in more and more options for customers worldwide. Love it or hate it — banking is an essential part of modern life. banking Technology, regulation, globalization. All processes are pointing to one direction — decentralization of banking. But what does this mean and what changes it brings for ordinary people? Lost & Found — the new era of personal finance management Personal management seems to be becoming easier and harder at the same time. It’s easier since more and more financial services and tools are becoming accessible to ordinary consumers. However, it’s harder to navigate through all available options and possibilities there are out there. Have you ever tried to use several accounts in different banks in parallel? If you did, you definitely know what we are talking about. finance The situation becomes exponentially more complex with the introduction of cryptocurrencies into the mix. When it comes to crypto assets, there are hundreds of them with thousands of accompanying services involved. How to find the service I am looking for? Which ones to choose? Are they reliable? Which ones will deliver me with the best price/quality performance? How to access all of this with my bank account? Problems are here and there are no excuses to stand still. Current technologies — integrative APIs, real-time data analysis and AI infused recommendation systems — are already here to help ordinary people minimize the effort and maximize the gains. What is needed is to take the leap forward. ORCA decentralized banking solution. Crypto integration included. Here at ORCA we are building exactly what the ordinary person needs to manage his personal finances in the XXI century — we are merging decentralized traditional banking with the innovative zeal of crypto, all in one place. With ORCA users will be able to integrate bank accounts and crypto wallets while picking and choosing out of a wide range of third-party services. And the best part is that all of this will be alleviated with the help of ORCA Smart AI — the personalized, real-time recommendations system offering users the best path of action in a particular situation. ORCA whitelist is open at . Join the growing army of killer whales. Official ORCA website Thanks to . Mindaugas Kelpša

Banking without bankers: Blockchain unlocked the gates for Open Banking

Autofac ComponentRegistryBuilder in ASP.NET Core

TRENDS - To Meme or Game?

Enterprises delivering IoT solutions have unlocked new potentials and are enjoying success with the trend of increasing IoT adoption worldwide. However, while IoT developers and vendors emphasize delivering unparalleled convenience and efficiency, security is often overlooked. And that’s what requires immediate attention. Whether we talk about smart wearables, home assistants, or industrial automation systems, the IoT landscape has broadened the horizons for cybercriminals, making security a top priority for vendors. For the security of this interconnected ecosystem, robust role-based authentication frameworks have become an absolute necessity. Let’s understand how role-based user authentication frameworks reinforce IoT security and why businesses must put their best foot forward to adopt it. What is Authentication and Authorization in IoT? Authentication and authorization are the most crucial components of IoT security. Developers and vendors must prioritize them to ensure sensitive information is always shielded. While authentication verifies the identity of devices, users, and applications attempting to access IoT systems, authorization determines what resources or actions a verified device, application, or user can access within the IoT network. Once the identity is verified, access to network resources is offered based on the user’s role or privileges, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data. In a nutshell, authentication and authorization lay the foundation for a robust security framework to prevent privacy and data breaches. Though most IoT vendors and developers have incorporated robust mechanisms to safeguard sensitive data, many still rely on conventional legacy systems that aren’t potent enough to shield against modern threat vectors. Here’s where enterprises offering IoT services need to rethink their security strategy by keeping customers at the center of their business strategy. Why is Robust Authentication and Authorization in IoT a Pressing Need? In this digital world, where we’re constantly surrounded by the aura of multiple devices, applications, and networks, secure authentication and authorization have become critical. Talking about the IoT landscape, weak authentication and authorization could lead to severe consequences that compromise users’ privacy and the security of service providers. Here’s the list of consequences that may occur in the presence of inadequate security measures in the IoT ecosystem: Privacy Breach: Weak authentication could lead to unauthorized access to individuals that may breach individual privacy. Most users may face issues about unauthorized surveillance, data breaches, or device hijacking. Data Breach: Businesses may end up losing millions of dollars just because they didn’t incorporate a robust authentication security mechanism into their IoT services. Data loss, including sensitive business details and customer information, could be compromised which may entitle businesses to hefty fines. IoT Botnet Formation: Sometimes weak authentication leads to IoT botnet creation that further leads to coordinated attacks. The botnets are controlled by cybercriminals and can be used for DDoS attacks, which impact the overall system within an organization. Understanding Role-Based User Authentication and its Models Just like a user authenticates himself by proving his/her identity online on a platform to make a purchase or to access his/her account, authentication in IoT works similarly for devices and applications. The entire authentication process involves the identification of devices/apps and authorizing them with permission to access resources or information based on their specific roles. This ensures that devices/apps have access and permissions to do what they need and the non-authorized devices and apps can’t access sensitive information. Depending on the location, device type, and role, organizations can have multiple ways to authenticate and authorize IoT devices and applications for data access Though IoT administrators register each device or application while deploying it on the system, certain devices and applications can be further added, and their roles can be later defined by the user. Let’s have a look at user authentication models to deploy role-based authentication in the IoT ecosystem. 1. One-Way Distributed Authentication One-way distributed authentication represents a connection between two devices. This can be either a smart device, a wearable, or a sensor that tries to connect with the gateway. In this communication, only one device authenticates the other via password hash. In some cases, the authentication is established through a digital certificate. Once a device initiates the authentication request, the other devices authenticate it by comparing the certificate or password with stored information. Once the information matches, the second device authorizes the connection. 2. Two-Way Distributed Authentication In two-way distributed authentication, both devices authenticate each other before sharing any sensitive information or even communicating. This kind of authentication is commonly known as mutual authentication and this protocol is preferred when each of the communicating devices has a unique digital identity that is stored in the system for other devices. The connection in this authentication mode is established only when one of the devices trusts the other device’s identity through a digital certificate and vice versa. This kind of authentication is widely preferred for highly sensitive information transfer, including banking, e-commerce, or other financial transactions. 3. Three-Way Centralized Authentication The three-way centralized authentication approach emphasizes on registering the devices to a central server or authority. This central authority initiates a secure connection between the devices that need to communicate to ensure no unauthorized individual has access to sensitive information. The entire process is managed seamlessly through a dedicated certificate management system. Apart from this, the security certificates aren’t stored on the devices and can’t be compromised. This centralized authentication is best suited for devices that require frequent connection or are always connected. To Conclude With the increasing sophistication of IoT attacks and cybercriminals finding new ways to exploit sensitive business data, relying on conventional security mechanisms isn’t a great option. IoT vendors and developers need to rethink their security posture to ensure they’re on the right track to securing sensitive customer data and their confidential business information. On the other hand, leveraging the true potential of a role-based user authentication framework could be the best way to reinforce authentication security. Enterprises can eventually choose their preferred authentication model based on their business needs and ensure the highest level of protection. Enterprises delivering IoT solutions have unlocked new potentials and are enjoying success with the trend of increasing IoT adoption worldwide. However, while IoT developers and vendors emphasize delivering unparalleled convenience and efficiency, security is often overlooked. And that’s what requires immediate attention. Whether we talk about smart wearables, home assistants, or industrial automation systems, the IoT landscape has broadened the horizons for cybercriminals, making security a top priority for vendors. For the security of this interconnected ecosystem, robust role-based authentication frameworks have become an absolute necessity. Let’s understand how role-based user authentication frameworks reinforce IoT security and why businesses must put their best foot forward to adopt it. What is Authentication and Authorization in IoT? Authentication and authorization are the most crucial components of IoT security. Developers and vendors must prioritize them to ensure sensitive information is always shielded. While authentication verifies the identity of devices, users, and applications attempting to access IoT systems, authorization determines what resources or actions a verified device, application, or user can access within the IoT network. Once the identity is verified, access to network resources is offered based on the user’s role or privileges, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data. In a nutshell, authentication and authorization lay the foundation for a robust security framework to prevent privacy and data breaches. Though most IoT vendors and developers have incorporated robust mechanisms to safeguard sensitive data, many still rely on conventional legacy systems that aren’t potent enough to shield against modern threat vectors. Here’s where enterprises offering IoT services need to rethink their security strategy by keeping customers at the center of their business strategy. Why is Robust Authentication and Authorization in IoT a Pressing Need? In this digital world, where we’re constantly surrounded by the aura of multiple devices, applications, and networks, secure authentication and authorization have become critical. Talking about the IoT landscape, weak authentication and authorization could lead to severe consequences that compromise users’ privacy and the security of service providers. Here’s the list of consequences that may occur in the presence of inadequate security measures in the IoT ecosystem: Privacy Breach: Weak authentication could lead to unauthorized access to individuals that may breach individual privacy. Most users may face issues about unauthorized surveillance, data breaches, or device hijacking. Data Breach: Businesses may end up losing millions of dollars just because they didn’t incorporate a robust authentication security mechanism into their IoT services. Data loss, including sensitive business details and customer information, could be compromised which may entitle businesses to hefty fines. IoT Botnet Formation: Sometimes weak authentication leads to IoT botnet creation that further leads to coordinated attacks. The botnets are controlled by cybercriminals and can be used for DDoS attacks, which impact the overall system within an organization. Understanding Role-Based User Authentication and its Models Just like a user authenticates himself by proving his/her identity online on a platform to make a purchase or to access his/her account, authentication in IoT works similarly for devices and applications. The entire authentication process involves the identification of devices/apps and authorizing them with permission to access resources or information based on their specific roles. This ensures that devices/apps have access and permissions to do what they need and the non-authorized devices and apps can’t access sensitive information. Depending on the location, device type, and role, organizations can have multiple ways to authenticate and authorize IoT devices and applications for data access Though IoT administrators register each device or application while deploying it on the system, certain devices and applications can be further added, and their roles can be later defined by the user. Let’s have a look at user authentication models to deploy role-based authentication in the IoT ecosystem. 1. One-Way Distributed Authentication One-way distributed authentication represents a connection between two devices. This can be either a smart device, a wearable, or a sensor that tries to connect with the gateway. In this communication, only one device authenticates the other via password hash. In some cases, the authentication is established through a digital certificate. Once a device initiates the authentication request, the other devices authenticate it by comparing the certificate or password with stored information. Once the information matches, the second device authorizes the connection. 2. Two-Way Distributed Authentication In two-way distributed authentication, both devices authenticate each other before sharing any sensitive information or even communicating. This kind of authentication is commonly known as mutual authentication and this protocol is preferred when each of the communicating devices has a unique digital identity that is stored in the system for other devices. The connection in this authentication mode is established only when one of the devices trusts the other device’s identity through a digital certificate and vice versa. This kind of authentication is widely preferred for highly sensitive information transfer, including banking, e-commerce, or other financial transactions. 3. Three-Way Centralized Authentication The three-way centralized authentication approach emphasizes on registering the devices to a central server or authority. This central authority initiates a secure connection between the devices that need to communicate to ensure no unauthorized individual has access to sensitive information. The entire process is managed seamlessly through a dedicated certificate management system. Apart from this, the security certificates aren’t stored on the devices and can’t be compromised. This centralized authentication is best suited for devices that require frequent connection or are always connected. To Conclude With the increasing sophistication of IoT attacks and cybercriminals finding new ways to exploit sensitive business data, relying on conventional security mechanisms isn’t a great option. IoT vendors and developers need to rethink their security posture to ensure they’re on the right track to securing sensitive customer data and their confidential business information. On the other hand, leveraging the true potential of a role-based user authentication framework could be the best way to reinforce authentication security. Enterprises can eventually choose their preferred authentication model based on their business needs and ensure the highest level of protection.

Strengthening IoT Security through Role-Based User Authentication Frameworks

In a typical debugging scenario, you would set breakpoints to tell the debugger when to suspend your program. A breakpoint usually corresponds to the moment that marks the starting point of further investigation. It can happen that in some situations you aren't sure where to set a breakpoint. Other times, you might prefer to suspend the program at a particular time rather than aiming at a specific line. In this article, we'll look at IntelliJ IDEA's Pause – a lesser-known debugging technique, which can be extremely powerful in some scenarios, including the ones described above. We'll discuss its use cases and limitations as well as discover the secret stepping trick. What Is Pause? Pause is a feature in IntelliJ IDEA's debugger that enables you to arbitrarily suspend your application at any given point in time. To use it, you don't have to be familiar with the application code. In fact, you can completely ignore it! To pause a program, click Pause on the debugger's toolbar. As a result, the program gets suspended right in the middle of what it is currently doing. Limitations At first sight, a paused program may look exactly like the one that has been suspended at a breakpoint. However, this is only true to a certain extent. It would be correct to consider Pause a sort of thread dump plus. You can still inspect variables and threads just as you typically would. However, some of the more advanced features, such as Evaluate expression, won't work. Use-cases There are countless ways you can use Pause. Often, it can be used interchangeably with traditional breakpoints. But there are also scenarios where Pause fits better. Let's consider a couple of them. Unresponsive apps If you encounter a UI freeze, that's usually because the UI thread is blocked or doing something heavy. Pause might be useful in both those cases. Pause the application while it is being unresponsive and examine the call stack of the UI thread. Often this is sufficient to diagnose the problem. Tip: To learn more about this scenario, check out Debug Unresponsive Apps Missing sources As I said before, Pause allows you to ignore the source code. Actually, the source code might as well be completely missing for you! This scenario is not typical, but when you encounter it, breakpoints wouldn't be of any help. ... which is not a problem for Pause. Tip: To learn more about this scenario, check out Debugger.godMode() Locks If you suspect a synchronization problem, such as a deadlock or a livelock, Pause might help you find the exact threads and monitors that are causing the issue. Pause the program and inspect the thread list. It will show which threads are blocked. By navigating to the execution point, you will also see the critical sections they are locked in. This information might guide you toward a solution. Secret Stepping Trick As I pointed out earlier, Pause indeed limits your access to some of the advanced debugger features. Nevertheless, there is a workaround for this restriction. After you have paused an application, proceed by performing any stepping action. Step Into or Step Over will do. After that, you'll find yourself in a regular debugging session, which is similar to suspending an application using a breakpoint. All advanced features are now unlocked! Conclusion That's it for today! Hope you find these tips and tricks useful. If there's something specific you want me to cover about Java debugging, don't hesitate to reach out! Your feedback will help me in prioritizing and publishing the content that is the most interesting to you. To receive updates on the new posts, follow me on X or subscribe to the mailing list on my blog. See you soon! In a typical debugging scenario, you would set breakpoints to tell the debugger when to suspend your program. A breakpoint usually corresponds to the moment that marks the starting point of further investigation. debugging It can happen that in some situations you aren't sure where to set a breakpoint. Other times, you might prefer to suspend the program at a particular time rather than aiming at a specific line. time In this article, we'll look at IntelliJ IDEA's Pause – a lesser-known debugging technique, which can be extremely powerful in some scenarios, including the ones described above. We'll discuss its use cases and limitations as well as discover the secret stepping trick . Pause secret stepping trick What Is Pause? Pause is a feature in IntelliJ IDEA's debugger that enables you to arbitrarily suspend your application at any given point in time. To use it, you don't have to be familiar with the application code. In fact, you can completely ignore it! Pause To pause a program, click Pause on the debugger's toolbar. As a result, the program gets suspended right in the middle of what it is currently doing. Pause Limitations At first sight, a paused program may look exactly like the one that has been suspended at a breakpoint. However, this is only true to a certain extent. It would be correct to consider Pause a sort of thread dump plus . You can still inspect variables and threads just as you typically would. However, some of the more advanced features, such as Evaluate expression , won't work. Pause thread dump plus Evaluate expression Use-cases There are countless ways you can use Pause . Often, it can be used interchangeably with traditional breakpoints. But there are also scenarios where Pause fits better. Let's consider a couple of them. Pause Pause Unresponsive apps If you encounter a UI freeze, that's usually because the UI thread is blocked or doing something heavy. Pause might be useful in both those cases. Pause Pause the application while it is being unresponsive and examine the call stack of the UI thread. Often this is sufficient to diagnose the problem. Tip: To learn more about this scenario, check out Debug Unresponsive Apps Tip : To learn more about this scenario, check out Debug Unresponsive Apps Tip Debug Unresponsive Apps Missing sources As I said before, Pause allows you to ignore the source code. Actually, the source code might as well be completely missing for you! This scenario is not typical, but when you encounter it, breakpoints wouldn't be of any help. Pause ... which is not a problem for Pause . Pause Tip: To learn more about this scenario, check out Debugger.godMode() Tip : To learn more about this scenario, check out Debugger.godMode() Tip Debugger.godMode() Locks If you suspect a synchronization problem, such as a deadlock or a livelock, Pause might help you find the exact threads and monitors that are causing the issue. Pause Pause the program and inspect the thread list. It will show which threads are blocked. By navigating to the execution point, you will also see the critical sections they are locked in. This information might guide you toward a solution. Secret Stepping Trick As I pointed out earlier, Pause indeed limits your access to some of the advanced debugger features. Nevertheless, there is a workaround for this restriction. Pause After you have paused an application, proceed by performing any stepping action. Step Into or Step Over will do. After that, you'll find yourself in a regular debugging session, which is similar to suspending an application using a breakpoint. Step Into Step Over All advanced features are now unlocked! Conclusion That's it for today! Hope you find these tips and tricks useful. If there's something specific you want me to cover about Java debugging, don't hesitate to reach out! Your feedback will help me in prioritizing and publishing the content that is the most interesting to you. To receive updates on the new posts, follow me on X or subscribe to the mailing list on my blog . X my blog See you soon!

Master Debugging Without Breakpoints

For Entrepreneurs, Endurance is more Important than Intellect 

After an April full of exciting game releases like The Crew Motorfest, Stellar Blade, and No Rest for the Wicked, May isn’t staying even a bit behind. In this story, we are going to check out the 10 best games to be released this month. Personally, I can’t wait to play them, and you shouldn’t miss out too. Endless Ocean Luminous - May 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKXjoA_Gai4&embedable=true Release Date: May 2
Platforms: Switch
Publisher: Arika Following the steps of his predecessors, Endless Ocean Luminous puts you in control of a scuba diver to explore the fictional Velled Sea, with over 500 species for you to discover. Team up with folks all over the world, because now, the matches allow groups of up to 30 people to explore sunk temples and shipwrecks. Crow Country - May 9 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy1cICMVSTk&embedable=true Release Date: May 9
Platforms: PC, PS5
Studio: SFB Games With a retro style, Cow Country tries to bring to life the golden era of horror games; using a tank camera, its art style and mechanics resemble a lot of the classic Resident Evil games in all its glory. In this game, you’re gonna explore an abandoned park to understand why Edward has closed it while solving many puzzles and mysteries. A demo for Crow Country is available here. Little Kitty, Big City - May 9 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWUdu2q88K4&embedable=true Release Date: May 9
Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Studio: Double Dagger Studio With a cutesy art style, Little Kitty, Big City lets you take control of a cat who is trying to go back home; you can mainly focus on finding your way back, or explore as a true cat would. Climb on people’s furniture, break their glasses, steal their objects, find collectibles, and interact with other animals before going home. Homeworld 3 - May 13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVCUI70kF7o&embedable=true Release Date: May 13
Platforms: PC
Studio: Blackbird Interactive Homeworld 3 is a galactic real-time strategy game where you can play solo, PvP, and Coop. It continues the award-winning story of Homeworld 2, with massive battles among the stars and nebulas. Now, the game also includes a coop mode for up to 3 players, in a battle on the molds of roguelike. Team up with your friends in random fleet battles while obtaining artifacts to improve your ships. The Rogue Prince of Persia - May 14 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZzOxEK7hXo&embedable=true Release Date: May 14
Platforms: PC
Studio: Evil Empire The Rogue Prince of Persia is a new take on the franchise. This time, in the hands of Evil Empire, the creators of Dead Cells, this new entry will get a different art style from its predecessor and will have a roguelike gameplay, which the team at Evil Empire are professionals doing. The game will also feature a procedurally generated map, set place around the city of Ctesiphon. You will battle the Hun army that was sent to destroy the city, and it is your job to prevent it. Ghost of Tsushima: Directors Cut - May 16 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzWBNwhb870&embedable=true Release Date: May 16
Platforms: PC
Studio: Sucker Punch Productions The once-Playstation exclusive is making its way to PC this month. This version includes everything from the original version and some extra functionalities due to the power of the PC. Enjoy the Tsushima island with unlocked FPS and multiple graphic customizations, support to super ultra-wide monitors, increase the performance using the functionalities of your GPU, like DLSS, FSR, and XeSS, and enjoy high-quality sync with Japanese, due to real-time cutscene rendering. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 - May 21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VYGOkMnGCE&embedable=true Release Date: May 21
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S
Studio: Ninja Theory In the sequel Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, we follow again the story of Senua while she battles for survival on the Viking Island. There, you will fight to save the victims of the tyranny while dealing with her own darkness. System Shock: Remake - May 21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNDdQ6_pYgk&embedable=true Release Date: May 21
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Studio: Nightdive Studio The complete remake of the 1994 cult System Shock that was released for PC in 2023 is now making its way to consoles. In this game, you live in Cidadela Station, but everything gets out of hand when the most advanced AI takes control of everything, turning its people into cyborgs and mutants looking for blood. Fight for survival and destroy SHODAN before it destroys you. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door - May 23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCV-uTRULn8&embedable=true Release Date: May 23
Platforms: Switch
Studio: Intelligent Systems Initially released for the GameCube in 2004, Super Paper Mario The Thousand-Year Door is an RPG praised by critics and won the RPG of the Year award in 2005. In this entry, you will take the role of Mario, while he tries to save Princess Peach from the hands of Grodus, collecting all the Crystal Stars and making new friends along the way. F1 24 - May 31 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnyCWsA6KSI&embedable=true Release Date: May 31
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Studio: Codemasters That is the newest entry in the F1 yearly franchise; it includes more refined graphics, a revamped campaign, a new physics system that impacts the performance of your car, crossplay, and a VR mode. Those were the games I’m keeping an eye on this month; let me know what games you are interested in this month or if I missed an important game in the comments below. After an April full of exciting game releases like The Crew Motorfest, Stellar Blade, and No Rest for the Wicked, May isn’t staying even a bit behind. In this story, we are going to check out the 10 best games to be released this month. Personally, I can’t wait to play them, and you shouldn’t miss out too. Endless Ocean Luminous - May 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKXjoA_Gai4&embedable=true https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKXjoA_Gai4&embedable=true Release Date: May 2 Platforms: Switch Publisher: Arika Release Date: May 2 Release Date: Platforms: Switch Platforms: Publisher: Arika Publisher: Following the steps of his predecessors, Endless Ocean Luminous puts you in control of a scuba diver to explore the fictional Velled Sea, with over 500 species for you to discover. Team up with folks all over the world, because now, the matches allow groups of up to 30 people to explore sunk temples and shipwrecks. Crow Country - May 9 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy1cICMVSTk&embedable=true https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy1cICMVSTk&embedable=true Release Date: May 9 Platforms: PC, PS5 Studio: SFB Games Release Date: May 9 Release Date: Platforms: PC, PS5 Platforms: Studio: SFB Games Studio: With a retro style, Cow Country tries to bring to life the golden era of horror games; using a tank camera, its art style and mechanics resemble a lot of the classic Resident Evil games in all its glory. In this game, you’re gonna explore an abandoned park to understand why Edward has closed it while solving many puzzles and mysteries. A demo for Crow Country is available here . here Little Kitty, Big City - May 9 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWUdu2q88K4&embedable=true https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWUdu2q88K4&embedable=true Release Date: May 9 Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S Studio: Double Dagger Studio Release Date: May 9 Release Date: Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S Platforms: Studio: Double Dagger Studio Studio: With a cutesy art style, Little Kitty, Big City lets you take control of a cat who is trying to go back home; you can mainly focus on finding your way back, or explore as a true cat would. Climb on people’s furniture, break their glasses, steal their objects, find collectibles, and interact with other animals before going home. Homeworld 3 - May 13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVCUI70kF7o&embedable=true https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVCUI70kF7o&embedable=true Release Date: May 13 Platforms: PC Studio: Blackbird Interactive Release Date: May 13 Release Date: Platforms: PC Platforms: Studio: Blackbird Interactive Studio: Homeworld 3 is a galactic real-time strategy game where you can play solo, PvP, and Coop. It continues the award-winning story of Homeworld 2, with massive battles among the stars and nebulas. Now, the game also includes a coop mode for up to 3 players, in a battle on the molds of roguelike. Team up with your friends in random fleet battles while obtaining artifacts to improve your ships. The Rogue Prince of Persia - May 14 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZzOxEK7hXo&embedable=true https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZzOxEK7hXo&embedable=true Release Date: May 14 Platforms: PC Studio: Evil Empire Release Date: May 14 Release Date: Platforms: PC Platforms: Studio: Evil Empire Studio: The Rogue Prince of Persia is a new take on the franchise. This time, in the hands of Evil Empire, the creators of Dead Cells, this new entry will get a different art style from its predecessor and will have a roguelike gameplay, which the team at Evil Empire are professionals doing. The game will also feature a procedurally generated map, set place around the city of Ctesiphon. You will battle the Hun army that was sent to destroy the city, and it is your job to prevent it. Ghost of Tsushima: Directors Cut - May 16 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzWBNwhb870&embedable=true https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzWBNwhb870&embedable=true Release Date: May 16 Platforms: PC Studio: Sucker Punch Productions Release Date: May 16 Release Date: Platforms: PC Platforms: Studio: Sucker Punch Productions Studio: The once-Playstation exclusive is making its way to PC this month. This version includes everything from the original version and some extra functionalities due to the power of the PC. Enjoy the Tsushima island with unlocked FPS and multiple graphic customizations, support to super ultra-wide monitors, increase the performance using the functionalities of your GPU, like DLSS, FSR, and XeSS, and enjoy high-quality sync with Japanese, due to real-time cutscene rendering. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 - May 21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VYGOkMnGCE&embedable=true https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VYGOkMnGCE&embedable=true Release Date: May 21 Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S Studio: Ninja Theory Release Date: May 21 Release Date: Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S Platforms: Studio: Ninja Theory Studio: In the sequel Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, we follow again the story of Senua while she battles for survival on the Viking Island. There, you will fight to save the victims of the tyranny while dealing with her own darkness. System Shock: Remake - May 21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNDdQ6_pYgk&embedable=true https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNDdQ6_pYgk&embedable=true Release Date: May 21 Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S Studio: Nightdive Studio Release Date: May 21 Release Date: Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S Platforms: Studio: Nightdive Studio Studio: The complete remake of the 1994 cult System Shock that was released for PC in 2023 is now making its way to consoles. In this game, you live in Cidadela Station, but everything gets out of hand when the most advanced AI takes control of everything, turning its people into cyborgs and mutants looking for blood. Fight for survival and destroy SHODAN before it destroys you. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door - May 23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCV-uTRULn8&embedable=true https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCV-uTRULn8&embedable=true Release Date: May 23 Platforms: Switch Studio: Intelligent Systems Release Date: May 23 Release Date: Platforms: Switch Platforms: Studio: Intelligent Systems Studio: Initially released for the GameCube in 2004, Super Paper Mario The Thousand-Year Door is an RPG praised by critics and won the RPG of the Year award in 2005. In this entry, you will take the role of Mario, while he tries to save Princess Peach from the hands of Grodus, collecting all the Crystal Stars and making new friends along the way. F1 24 - May 31 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnyCWsA6KSI&embedable=true https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnyCWsA6KSI&embedable=true Release Date: May 31 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S Studio: Codemasters Release Date: May 31 Release Date: Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S Platforms: Studio: Codemasters Studio: That is the newest entry in the F1 yearly franchise; it includes more refined graphics, a revamped campaign, a new physics system that impacts the performance of your car, crossplay, and a VR mode. Those were the games I’m keeping an eye on this month; let me know what games you are interested in this month or if I missed an important game in the comments below.

May 2024's Must-Play List: The Top 10 Game Releases You Can't Miss

Learn Multithreading in Python Like A Pro Using These 30 Questions

Recent research shows that 52% of gamers tend to stick to just one platform. Breaking it down, mobile game development (iOS and Android) leads with 60% of gamers, while PC (Windows, macOS, Linux) and consoles (PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch) follow closely, capturing 33% and 32% of gamers, respectively. This indicates a strong loyalty among gamers to their preferred platforms, making them a challenging audience to conquer with your game. For game publishers, spreading their games across multiple platforms is the ultimate cheat code to widen their appeal and boost profits. Game developers utilize powerful engines like Unity and Unreal Engine to create games that are playable across multiple platforms. This approach not only boosts user engagement but also increases the number of paid subscriptions and enhances in-game sales, particularly among fans loyal to a single platform. Cross-Platform Custom Game Development: A Path to the Hearts of Over 3 Billion Players Choosing a platform-specific route in custom game development allows creators to fine-tune their games to a system's unique features, like PlayStation 5's superb graphics or iOS's touchscreen. This approach not only highlights the game's strengths on its chosen platform but also streamlines development and may reduce costs. This is ideal for indie teams or smaller studios focused on crafting standout, polished experiences. Embracing a platform-agnostic approach opens doors wider. Making your game accessible on Android, iOS, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PCs enhances visibility and connects you with varied gaming communities instantly. With the global gaming population hitting 3.220 billion in 2023 and expected to rise to 3.320 billion in 2024 — 1.48 billion in Asia and 715 million in Europe — going cross-platform taps into this vast audience. This strategy has propelled games like Fortnite and Among Us to global success. Fortnite is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC, while Among Us connects players on Android, iOS, PC, and Nintendo Switch. These examples highlight the success of reaching players across all devices. Single-Platform Native Game Development Tech Stacks Let's delve into the technology driving today's custom game development. Some companies, such as Stepico, offer the development of both native and cross-platform games, leveraging each platform's strengths to create remarkable gaming experiences. Mobile Game Development Tech In mobile gaming, the magic usually happens with Swift and the Metal API for iOS, producing dazzling graphics, while Android games most often get their shine from Java or Kotlin alongside the Vulkan API. This approach brings titles like Monument Valley on iOS and Doom 3: BFG Edition on Android to life, offering gamers smooth and visually rich experiences right at their fingertips. Console-native Game Development Tools Switching gears to consoles, developers have a different set of tools. With the PlayStation SDK for Sony’s creations and DirectX for the Xbox lineup, games like Spider-Man 2 for PlayStation and Forza Motorsport for Xbox emerge, each offering deep immersion tailored to the console’s hardware. PC Game Development Methods PC, the most versatile platform, opens a world of possibilities with engines like Unity and Unreal Engine, as well as APIs like DirectX or Vulkan. This tech stack enables the creation of expansive worlds in games like Crusader Kings III and Dark Souls Series, providing PC gamers with unparalleled depth and performance. Creating mobile-native games for Android and iOS or tailored PC experiences offers unique benefits. Yet, the true potential is unlocked through cross-platform or multiplatform development. With Unity and Unreal Engine, your game reaches a wider audience, eliminating device boundaries. Broadening Your Reach: Unity vs. Unreal Engine Choosing between Unity and Unreal Engine hinges on your project's needs and team expertise. Both engines offer robust cross-platform support but excel in different areas. Unity is celebrated for its simplicity and versatility, which make it ideal for rapid development across mobile, PC, and console platforms. It's particularly well-suited for custom mobile game development, including 2D games, thanks to its user-friendly interface and extensive asset library. Games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Subnautica illustrate Unity's ability to power both mobile and immersive 3D environments effectively. Unreal Engine is known for its advanced graphics and comprehensive custom game development tools, favored for projects that aim to push the limits of 3D fidelity. Titles like Fortnite and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl benefit from Unreal's cutting-edge features, such as Nanite and Lumen. These technologies provide exceptional graphical and lighting effects, setting a high bar for gaming experiences. Selecting the optimal game development tools, such as Unity or Unreal Engine, is vital for your game's success. Stepico offers expertise in guiding projects across mobile (Android, iOS), console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), and PC (Windows, Linux, MacOS). Their services range from ideation to post-launch support, emphasizing proven rapid, quality delivery. By partnering with Stepico, you gain not only strategic insights into tool selection and custom game development approaches but also have professional game developers ready to craft cross-platform setups for you! This story was distributed under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here: https://business.hackernoon.com/ Recent research shows that 52% of gamers tend to stick to just one platform. Breaking it down, mobile game development (iOS and Android) leads with 60% of gamers, while PC (Windows, macOS, Linux) and consoles (PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch) follow closely, capturing 33% and 32% of gamers, respectively. This indicates a strong loyalty among gamers to their preferred platforms, making them a challenging audience to conquer with your game. For game publishers, spreading their games across multiple platforms is the ultimate cheat code to widen their appeal and boost profits. Game developers utilize powerful engines like Unity and Unreal Engine to create games that are playable across multiple platforms. This approach not only boosts user engagement but also increases the number of paid subscriptions and enhances in-game sales, particularly among fans loyal to a single platform. Cross-Platform Custom Game Development: A Path to the Hearts of Over 3 Billion Players Choosing a platform-specific route in custom game development allows creators to fine-tune their games to a system's unique features, like PlayStation 5's superb graphics or iOS's touchscreen. This approach not only highlights the game's strengths on its chosen platform but also streamlines development and may reduce costs. This is ideal for indie teams or smaller studios focused on crafting standout, polished experiences. Embracing a platform-agnostic approach opens doors wider. Making your game accessible on Android, iOS, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PCs enhances visibility and connects you with varied gaming communities instantly. With the global gaming population hitting 3.220 billion in 2023 and expected to rise to 3.320 billion in 2024 — 1.48 billion in Asia and 715 million in Europe — going cross-platform taps into this vast audience. This strategy has propelled games like Fortnite and Among Us to global success. Fortnite is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC, while Among Us connects players on Android, iOS, PC, and Nintendo Switch. These examples highlight the success of reaching players across all devices. Fortnite Among Us Fortnite Among Us Single-Platform Native Game Development Tech Stacks Let's delve into the technology driving today's custom game development. Some companies, such as Stepico, offer the development of both native and cross-platform games, leveraging each platform's strengths to create remarkable gaming experiences. Stepico , Stepico Mobile Game Development Tech In mobile gaming, the magic usually happens with Swift and the Metal API for iOS, producing dazzling graphics, while Android games most often get their shine from Java or Kotlin alongside the Vulkan API. This approach brings titles like Monument Valley on iOS and Doom 3: BFG Edition on Android to life, offering gamers smooth and visually rich experiences right at their fingertips. Monument Valley Doom 3: BFG Edition Console-native Game Development Tools Switching gears to consoles, developers have a different set of tools. With the PlayStation SDK for Sony’s creations and DirectX for the Xbox lineup, games like Spider-Man 2 for PlayStation and Forza Motorsport for Xbox emerge, each offering deep immersion tailored to the console’s hardware. Spider-Man 2 Forza Motorsport PC Game Development Methods PC, the most versatile platform, opens a world of possibilities with engines like Unity and Unreal Engine, as well as APIs like DirectX or Vulkan. This tech stack enables the creation of expansive worlds in games like Crusader Kings III and Dark Souls Series , providing PC gamers with unparalleled depth and performance. Crusader Kings III Dark Souls Series Creating mobile-native games for Android and iOS or tailored PC experiences offers unique benefits. Yet, the true potential is unlocked through cross-platform or multiplatform development. With Unity and Unreal Engine, your game reaches a wider audience, eliminating device boundaries. Broadening Your Reach: Unity vs. Unreal Engine Choosing between Unity and Unreal Engine hinges on your project's needs and team expertise. Both engines offer robust cross-platform support but excel in different areas. Unity is celebrated for its simplicity and versatility, which make it ideal for rapid development across mobile, PC, and console platforms. It's particularly well-suited for custom mobile game development, including 2D games, thanks to its user-friendly interface and extensive asset library. Games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Subnautica illustrate Unity's ability to power both mobile and immersive 3D environments effectively. Call of Duty: Mobile Subnautica Unreal Engine is known for its advanced graphics and comprehensive custom game development tools, favored for projects that aim to push the limits of 3D fidelity. Titles like Fortnite and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl benefit from Unreal's cutting-edge features, such as Nanite and Lumen. These technologies provide exceptional graphical and lighting effects, setting a high bar for gaming experiences. Fortnite S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Selecting the optimal game development tools, such as Unity or Unreal Engine, is vital for your game's success. Stepico offers expertise in guiding projects across mobile (Android, iOS), console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), and PC (Windows, Linux, MacOS). Their services range from ideation to post-launch support, emphasizing proven rapid, quality delivery. By partnering with Stepico , you gain not only strategic insights into tool selection and custom game development approaches but also have professional game developers ready to craft cross-platform setups for you! partnering with Stepico partnering with Stepico This story was distributed under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here: https://business.hackernoon.com/ This story was distributed under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here: https://business.hackernoon.com/ https://business.hackernoon.com/

How Multiplatform Game Development Grows Your Audience: A Guide to Playing Globally

মাল্টিপ্ল্যাটফর্ম গেম ডেভেলপমেন্ট কীভাবে আপনার শ্রোতাদের বৃদ্ধি করে: বিশ্বব্যাপী খেলার জন্য একটি নির্দেশিকা

So vergrößert die Entwicklung plattformübergreifender Spiele Ihr Publikum: Ein Leitfaden zum weltweiten Spielen

Cómo el desarrollo de juegos multiplataforma aumenta su audiencia: una guía para jugar globalmente

Comment le développement de jeux multiplateformes élargit votre audience : un guide pour jouer à l'échelle mondiale

मल्टीप्लेटफॉर्म गेम डेवलपमेंट आपके दर्शकों की संख्या कैसे बढ़ाता है: वैश्विक स्तर पर खेलने के लिए एक गाइड

マルチプラットフォーム ゲーム開発でオーディエンスを拡大する方法: グローバルにプレイするためのガイド

멀티플랫폼 게임 개발로 청중을 늘리는 방법: 글로벌 플레이 가이드

Como o desenvolvimento de jogos multiplataforma aumenta seu público: um guia para jogar globalmente

Как разработка мультиплатформенных игр расширяет вашу аудиторию: руководство по игре в глобальном масштабе

Çok Platformlu Oyun Geliştirme Hedef Kitlenizi Nasıl Büyütür: Dünya Çapında Oynama Rehberi

Cách phát triển trò chơi đa nền tảng giúp tăng lượng khán giả của bạn: Hướng dẫn chơi trên toàn cầu

多平台游戏开发如何扩大受众群体：全球游戏指南

Five years ago, Frank Chen posed a question that has stuck with me every day since. The question was this, “If self-driving cars are 51% safer, are we not morally obligated to adopt them?”.  I’ve posed this question a ton of times over the past five years, and usually, a knee-jerk reaction leads to an interesting debate. What makes this question so great is the knife's edge – it’s not 99% safer, it’s not 70% safer, it’s 51% safer. only To put it into context. The National Highway Safety Administration has that in 2022, there were an estimated 42,795 traffic fatalities. 50% of 42,795 is 21,398 people, and 51% is 21,825 people. reported That means if self-driving cars are 51% safer, using them would save 427 people’s lives every year. That is about 1.5 Boeing 777 airplanes full of passengers. Is saving 427 lives a moral argument for adoption? In the five years I’ve been sharing this question, the answers are never simple. They’re always fraught with “what ifs.” But even if the answers lack clarity, I think the question is incredibly important. In part because it opens a broader — and equally important — debate on the moral imperative of AI adoption across many aspects of our lives and work. Because, after all, avoiding technology that could save lives may be just as ethically problematic as adopting technology too hastily, The Moral Imperative of AI Adoption I've always found the debate around autonomous vehicles to be a perfect microcosm for the broader discourse on AI. If we possess technology that's statistically safer than human-operated vehicles, isn't the moral choice obvious? Consider this: have shown that human drivers had a higher rate of crashes with a meaningful risk of injury than self-driving  (AI-powered) cars. Specifically, human drivers caused 0.24 injuries per million miles (IPMM) and 0.01 fatalities per million miles (FPMM), while self-driving cars caused 0.06 IPMM and 0 FPMM. studies And remember, these numbers aren't just statistics. They represent real lives that could be saved by embracing AI technology. But why stop at autonomous vehicles? The potential for AI to enhance safety, efficiency, and accuracy spans across fields like medicine, public health, food safety, agriculture, cybersecurity, crime prevention, and military science. If AI can diagnose diseases with greater accuracy than human doctors, predict crop failures before they devastate food supplies, or thwart cyber-attacks before they breach our data, don't we have a moral obligation to also utilize those technologies? Of course, these are dramatic examples, but the argument extends beyond life-and-death scenarios. AI's ability to improve our daily quality of life is equally compelling. Whether by simplifying mundane tasks or making information and services more accessible and equitable, AI can end drudgery and enhance our daily quality of life. The moral imperative to adopt AI isn't just about preventing harm or death; it's about whether we have an obligation to contribute to human well-being if we can. The Dilemma of Choice and Safety So, do we choose human-operated vehicles (or human-led processes) knowing they are less safe or efficient than their AI counterparts? Simply because they are more human? Faced with the choice between human-operated systems and AI-enhanced alternatives, my thought is the decision should obviously hinge on safety and efficiency rather than an allegiance to some murky idea of what is "human" or not. Embracing AI doesn't mean disregarding human value or input; rather, it's about acknowledging that what's human isn't inherently superior — and honestly, is often significantly inferior in specific contexts. Now please don’t get out the pitchforks, I’m not joining Team Robot Overlord. I get the anxiety a lot of people feel about the disruption AI is already causing to their jobs and the societal change that is undoubtedly headed our way. I just wonder whether the efficiencies of AI and the quality of life benefits might, in the long run, outweigh the impact of those disruptions. Some of our reluctance to adopt AI is informed by cognitive biases and fears. For a species famed for its adaptability, we humans don’t love change. Cognitive biases play a substantial role in our hesitance to embrace AI. Cognitive biases are psychological patterns that are a holdover from our early years as Homo Sapiens. They are the habits our minds fall into — cognitive shortcuts that can be useful when running from predators but definitely skew our modern perception and judgment. In this case, recognizing and addressing these biases is crucial in moving toward a more rational, ethical approach to AI adoption. Here are a few that I think could be in play, influencing our suspicion, trust, or acceptance of AI technologies. People tend to attribute human characteristics to AI or robots, influencing their trust and expectations. This can lead to unrealistic assumptions about AI systems' capabilities or the attribution of evil intentions. Anthropomorphism Bias: This bias leads individuals to overestimate the probability of events associated with memorable or vivid incidents. Sensationalized media reports about AI failures or successes can be blown out of proportion and disproportionately influence perceptions of AI reliability and safety. Availability Heuristic: What’s everyone else doing? People may seek out or interpret information in a way that confirms their preexisting beliefs or hypotheses about AI. This bias can hinder the objective evaluation of AI technologies and their potential benefits or risks. Confirmation Bias: People don’t want to miss out on beneficial technologies but can lack an understanding of the implications. This bias can overshadow critical evaluation and lead to premature adoption. This bias is related to the Bandwagon Effect (e.g., The tendency to do or believe things because everyone else does - or influencers do. People might trust or distrust AI technologies simply because that seems to be the popular sentiment. FOMO: People prefer to maintain the current state, which leads to resistance against adopting something new like AI, regardless of potential benefits or proven superiority. This bias can slow innovation and the adoption of potentially life-enhancing technologies. Status Quo Bias: This bias makes the pain of losing something feel more potent than the pleasure of gaining something of equal value. For AI, this means the fear of job loss or loss of control overshadows the benefits of safety/efficiency/convenience. Loss Aversion: Overestimation of one's ability to control or understand something. For AI, this means overestimating or underestimating the risks associated with AI. Overconfidence Bias: Numbers are scary! People tend to be biased against algorithms, believing human decision-making is superior, even when evidence suggests otherwise. On the other hand, some might also have an unquestioning trust in AI decisions, ignoring the potential for errors or biases in AI systems. Algorithm Aversion/Trust: Economic Rationality Interesting, right? But the truth is, this is all academic. We may not even get to make this decision in the end.  Companies are already making it. A ton of corporations are barreling ahead with AI integration — mainly because the ROI often speaks louder than ethical debates. Take with its significant shift towards automation. The efficiency and economic benefits are tangible and measurable, and in the face of cold hard cash, moral and social criticisms suddenly feel more academic. Amazon as a prime example, Still, this isn't only about stone-hearted capitalism; it's about survival and adaptation. Businesses are tasked every day with the challenge of balancing technological adoption with ethical and ESG responsibilities. The impact of AI on employment and human well-being can't be an afterthought. For thousands, financial stability and career wellness hinge on these decisions. It’s something a lot of enterprises are grappling with. And here's where the moral imperative question becomes more nuanced. If AI can streamline operations, reduce costs, and even create new opportunities, then aren’t we also morally responsible for exploring these technologies? The trick will be to keep that ethical compass handy and ensure that as we embrace AI's efficiencies, we also safeguard against its potential to unfairly disrupt livelihoods. We are in a Transition Period Either way, we need to watch our footing. We are standing on the precipice of a new era, and one solid push could end us in a freefall. AI is no longer a futuristic fantasy; it's absolutely embedded in our daily lives and work. That’s exciting — and scary as hell. One of the most significant challenges we face is the accessibility or tech gap. AI has the potential to democratize technology, making powerful tools available to a broader audience. However, right now, AI's promise is primarily being seen by those who already have a certain level of access, so there is also the potential that AI will exacerbate existing inequalities rather than alleviate them. It’s a period of adjustment, so it will require patience, education, and proactive measures to ensure that the benefits of AI are widely distributed. We’ve got the potential to level the playing field so that AI's potential can be unlocked for everyone, not just the privileged few. The Conundrum of Cooperation Okay, so it is a paradox:  For AI to function optimally alongside humans, it must be superior to us in certain tasks.  But that VERY superiority threatens to displace human roles, fueling resistance and fear among us mortals. This paradox creates a tough "push-pull" for AI; that’s why we’re seeing such heated debate about morality. I believe the solution may be a suite of emerging design philosophies and technologies aimed at bridging the gap between AI and human cooperation in an ethical way. I’ll list them below. They are worth asking ChatGPT about: ensures that AI systems are developed with human needs and values at their core. Human-Centric AI Design (HCAI): demystifies AI decisions, making them understandable and transparent to humans. Explainable AI (XAI): guide the development and deployment of AI systems in a manner that respects human rights and values. Ethical AI Frameworks: learns from and adapts to human feedback, ensuring a synergistic relationship. Adaptive/Responsive AI: involves end-users in the AI development process, ensuring their needs and concerns are addressed. Participatory Design: emphasizes AI's role in enhancing human abilities rather than replacing them. Augmented Intelligence: builds confidence in AI systems through reliability, safety, and ethical assurances. Trustworthy AI: To Self-Drive Cars, or to Not Self-Drive Cars? In wrapping up, I’ll take a stand. I think adopting AI is a moral imperative. In my view, the potential to save lives, enhance our quality of life, and even address long-standing inequalities is too significant to ignore. However, this doesn't mean we should dive headfirst without consideration.  In my opinion, we need to approach AI with a blend of enthusiasm and caution—staying excited to explore its possibilities but mindful of the ethical, social, and economic impact. Thoughtful consideration, robust ethical frameworks, and stringent governance are the keys to unlocking AI's potential responsibly. I’m still open to debate on the subject. So, I’ll throw the question out to you. Reply here or on my and tell me why I’m wrong — or right. I invite your thoughts and comments on this complex issue. LinkedIn thread Are we ready to embrace AI with the moral seriousness it demands? Are you ready to take your next road trip in a self-driving car?

Are We Morally Obligated to Adopt AI?

আমরা কি নৈতিকভাবে এআই গ্রহণ করতে বাধ্য?

Sind wir moralisch verpflichtet, KI einzuführen?

¿Estamos moralmente obligados a adoptar la IA?

Sommes-nous moralement obligés d’adopter l’IA ?

क्या हम नैतिक रूप से एआई को अपनाने के लिए बाध्य हैं?

私たちには AI を導入する道徳的義務があるのでしょうか?

우리는 AI를 채택해야 할 도덕적 의무가 있습니까?

Somos moralmente obrigados a adotar a IA?

Обязаны ли мы морально принять ИИ?

Ahlaki Olarak Yapay Zekayı Benimsetmek Zorunda mıyız?

Chúng ta có nghĩa vụ về mặt đạo đức phải áp dụng AI?

我们在道义上有义务采用人工智能吗？

Decoding Success: Case Studies of 3 Successful Tech Enterprises

In 2022, Fortune 500 companies in North America unlocked a business value of $1 trillion by adopting cloud technologies. 86% of these organizations utilized multiple cloud providers for their operations. With a Total Addressable Market (TAM) of $8.6 billion in 2023, the multi-cloud market size is projected to expand to $50 billion (28.6% CAGR) by 2030. Multi-cloud is becoming increasingly popular among large enterprises and Managed Service Providers (MSPs). It enables organizations to optimize costs, bolster regulatory compliance, improve the performance of cloud applications, and speed up innovation. Organizations can leverage the best features and pricing of different cloud providers to increase flexibility and reduce costs. By selecting technologies that are widely supported across providers, they can develop vendor-neutral applications. By adhering to security best practices and selecting suitable deployment regions, organizations can strengthen regulatory compliance, enhance resilience, and reduce the latency of their applications. Finally, by lowering technological, cost, and security barriers, organizations can accelerate engineering innovation. If you are a network engineer, cloud architect, or business leader devising a multi-cloud strategy for your organization, this article introduces you to high-level options to interconnect your multi-cloud. Interconnecting cloud deployments is complicated. Multi-cloud environments typically involve a mix of public and hybrid clouds customized to an organization's particular needs and goals. Achieving low latency, high performance, and cost-effective connectivity between applications, databases, and clients across different clouds can be a considerable challenge. What complexity arises, you ask? Consider a scenario where a database is hosted on one cloud platform while a streaming application operates on another. The challenge is establishing a reliable, secure connection between the database and the application servers without any data loss. Each public cloud offers unique networking capabilities and topologies, which complicates centralized management and orchestration. Cloud providers lack standardized models for inter-cloud connectivity, possibly to discourage customers from using multiple providers, as improved connectivity might reduce customer loyalty. Nevertheless, methods do exist to facilitate interconnection between different clouds. There are multiple ways to interconnect cloud environments. You can use your enterprise’s data center as a hub. An enterprise's data center functions as a hub routing traffic between public clouds or forwarding traffic from on-prem to the cloud. You have two options. Use a VPN tunnel between the cloud endpoints and the data center to send traffic over the internet securely. Alternatively, you can use dedicated connections- like AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute, or GCP Dedicated Interconnect- between the cloud and the enterprise’s data center. Since colocation providers -such as Equinix, Digital Reality, and CoreSite interconnect the cloud to the Enterprise’s on-prem DC through their data centers, the process for creating these connections is time-consuming and expensive. Use a carrier-managed MPLS circuit for multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud connectivity. Public cloud providers like AWS, GCP, and Azure partner with internet service providers (ISPs) like Verizon, AT&T, and Orange to provide MPLS connectivity, allowing enterprises to link their cloud environments through these carriers. While specific steps vary between cloud providers, the process consists of two parts. First, enterprises create a dedicated connection to a colocation provider like EQUNIX. Next, they peer the connection with the partner's customer edge route using eBGP. After peering with eBGP, the inter-cloud traffic flows over the partner’s MPLS circuit. Use a virtual cloud router. Network as a Service Provider (NaaS) provides connectivity between clouds and the on-prem DC. They abstract the underlying Public cloud provider-specific connectivity features, making the orchestration, management, and monitoring of connections seamless. An enterprise creates a virtual router using the NaaS provider’s console and adds its dedicated cloud connections and datacenter gateway to the virtual router. This allows the router to route traffic between clouds and the enterprise’s data center. Which connectivity option should you choose? Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Internet connectivity to the cloud is most practical for low-bandwidth scenarios. For legacy cloud applications that don't demand high availability, VPN tunnels are a sensible choice. They are simple to manage and cost-effective. Private connectivity is often essential for business-critical applications. The enhanced security, network performance, and reliability justify the additional expense for systems like your internal ERP or CRM, which require secure private access for compliance purposes. MPLS circuits, known for their reliability and predictability, are generally reserved for mission-critical applications. However, due to their costly and inflexible nature, marked by long-term contracts and extensive setup and removal periods, private connectivity offers a more flexible alternative. NaaS providers provide pricing flexibility via Pay-Per-User rates and are easy to manage. If you are considering reaping the many benefits of a multi-cloud strategy, choose the connectivity model appropriate for your business objectives. Links to blogs used for research: Insights from CTOs on cloud strategies | McKinseyMulti-Cloud
Management Market Size, Share | Report [2030] (fortunebusinessinsights.com) aws-network-connectivity-over-mpls.pdf (awsstatic.com) Who is selling NaaS, and what do you get? | Network World Multicloud Connectivity: A Complete Guide | Megaport Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the businesses mentioned in this blog, nor do I represent them. The blog is written to educate the audience about the benefits of multi-cloud and networking options. It does not promote any specific company or vendor. In 2022, Fortune 500 companies in North America unlocked a business value of $1 trillion by adopting cloud technologies. 86% of these organizations utilized multiple cloud providers for their operations. With a Total Addressable Market (TAM) of $8.6 billion in 2023 , the multi-cloud market size is projected to expand to $50 billion (28.6% CAGR) by 2030. Multi-cloud is becoming increasingly popular among large enterprises and Managed Service Providers (MSPs). It enables organizations to optimize costs, bolster regulatory compliance, improve the performance of cloud applications, and speed up innovation. Organizations can leverage the best features and pricing of different cloud providers to increase flexibility and reduce costs. By selecting technologies that are widely supported across providers, they can develop vendor-neutral applications. By adhering to security best practices and selecting suitable deployment regions, organizations can strengthen regulatory compliance, enhance resilience, and reduce the latency of their applications. Finally, by lowering technological, cost, and security barriers, organizations can accelerate engineering innovation. Total Addressable Market (TAM) of $8.6 billion in 2023 If you are a network engineer, cloud architect, or business leader devising a multi-cloud strategy for your organization, this article introduces you to high-level options to interconnect your multi-cloud. Interconnecting cloud deployments is complicated. Multi-cloud environments typically involve a mix of public and hybrid clouds customized to an organization's particular needs and goals. Achieving low latency, high performance, and cost-effective connectivity between applications, databases, and clients across different clouds can be a considerable challenge. What complexity arises, you ask? Consider a scenario where a database is hosted on one cloud platform while a streaming application operates on another. The challenge is establishing a reliable, secure connection between the database and the application servers without any data loss. Each public cloud offers unique networking capabilities and topologies, which complicates centralized management and orchestration. Cloud providers lack standardized models for inter-cloud connectivity, possibly to discourage customers from using multiple providers, as improved connectivity might reduce customer loyalty. Nevertheless, methods do exist to facilitate interconnection between different clouds. There are multiple ways to interconnect cloud environments. You can use your enterprise’s data center as a hub. An enterprise's data center functions as a hub routing traffic between public clouds or forwarding traffic from on-prem to the cloud. You have two options. You can use your enterprise’s data center as a hub. Use a VPN tunnel between the cloud endpoints and the data center to send traffic over the internet securely. Alternatively, you can use dedicated connections- like AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute, or GCP Dedicated Interconnect- between the cloud and the enterprise’s data center. Since colocation providers -such as Equinix, Digital Reality, and CoreSite interconnect the cloud to the Enterprise’s on-prem DC through their data centers, the process for creating these connections is time-consuming and expensive. Use a carrier-managed MPLS circuit for multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud connectivity. Public cloud providers like AWS, GCP, and Azure partner with internet service providers (ISPs) like Verizon, AT&T, and Orange to provide MPLS connectivity, allowing enterprises to link their cloud environments through these carriers. While specific steps vary between cloud providers, the process consists of two parts. First, enterprises create a dedicated connection to a colocation provider like EQUNIX. Next, they peer the connection with the partner's customer edge route using eBGP. After peering with eBGP, the inter-cloud traffic flows over the partner’s MPLS circuit. Use a carrier-managed MPLS circuit for multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud connectivity. Use a virtual cloud router. Network as a Service Provider (NaaS) provides connectivity between clouds and the on-prem DC. They abstract the underlying Public cloud provider-specific connectivity features, making the orchestration, management, and monitoring of connections seamless. An enterprise creates a virtual router using the NaaS provider’s console and adds its dedicated cloud connections and datacenter gateway to the virtual router. This allows the router to route traffic between clouds and the enterprise’s data center. Use a virtual cloud router. Which connectivity option should you choose? Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Internet connectivity to the cloud is most practical for low-bandwidth scenarios. For legacy cloud applications that don't demand high availability, VPN tunnels are a sensible choice. They are simple to manage and cost-effective. Private connectivity is often essential for business-critical applications. The enhanced security, network performance, and reliability justify the additional expense for systems like your internal ERP or CRM, which require secure private access for compliance purposes. MPLS circuits, known for their reliability and predictability, are generally reserved for mission-critical applications. However, due to their costly and inflexible nature, marked by long-term contracts and extensive setup and removal periods, private connectivity offers a more flexible alternative. NaaS providers provide pricing flexibility via Pay-Per-User rates and are easy to manage. If you are considering reaping the many benefits of a multi-cloud strategy, choose the connectivity model appropriate for your business objectives. Links to blogs used for research: Insights from CTOs on cloud strategies | McKinsey Multi-Cloud
Management Market Size, Share | Report [2030] (fortunebusinessinsights.com) Insights from CTOs on cloud strategies | McKinsey Multi-Cloud
Management Market Size, Share | Report [2030] (fortunebusinessinsights.com) aws-network-connectivity-over-mpls.pdf (awsstatic.com) aws-network-connectivity-over-mpls.pdf (awsstatic.com) Who is selling NaaS, and what do you get? | Network World Who is selling NaaS, and what do you get? | Network World Multicloud Connectivity: A Complete Guide | Megaport Multicloud Connectivity: A Complete Guide | Megaport Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the businesses mentioned in this blog, nor do I represent them. The blog is written to educate the audience about the benefits of multi-cloud and networking options. It does not promote any specific company or vendor.

Maximizing Business Value with Strategic Multi-cloud Connectivity.

When we check the tokenomics of this or that project, we often see that there are different unlocks/vesting periods. Big unlocks often create volatility in the market, and it affects the project’s price. Let’s check what happens when token unlocks are available. Of course, that doesn’t mean it will happen the same every time. But of course, it’s better to be aware of how the price and market reacted to such events in the past. And if you run a Crypto/DeFi/NFT project and need advice on marketing and community building, you can [message me](mailto: serge@x10.agency) to get one. The Unlock Avalanche: A Weekly Reality The analysis by 6th Man Ventures reveals that millions of dollars worth of tokens are unlocked on a weekly basis. This constant stream of unlocks can result in dramatic price fluctuations. Based on the data of 5,000 token unlocks, let’s see what usually happens. Delving into the Data: Insights from 6th Man Ventures The Good, the Bad, and the Volatile The research indicates that small unlock events, where the circulating supply increases by less than 1%, have minimal to no discernible effect on token prices. However, larger unlocks, which increase the circulating supply by more than 1%, can have a substantial negative impact on prices. The bigger the unlock, the more pronounced the price decrease. Interestingly, projects that have already vested most of their token supply (over 70%) exhibit significantly lower volatility and higher prices compared to tokens in the early stages of their vesting periods. This suggests that projects in a more mature stage of their token distribution may be less vulnerable to the disruptive effects of large unlock events. The Numbers Don't Lie: Price Drops and Unlocks The data paints a clear picture. In the two weeks preceding and following unlock events, the average and median token prices tell a compelling story. Prices tend to decline following larger unlock events as the sudden surge in supply outpaces the demand. The magnitude of the price drop is directly correlated with the size of the unlock, underscoring the importance of managing these events. Upcoming Unlocks: Key Events to Monitor Investors and project teams should keep a watchful eye on the unlocks. For example, at the time of writing this, there are a few unlocks announced: - 24.8 million $APT tokens (worth $330 million) will be unlocked on April 12, 2024. - 64 million $STRK tokens (worth $125 million) will be unlocked on April 14, 2024. - 886,000 $CYBER tokens (worth $12 million) will be unlocked on April 14, 2024. These large-scale unlocks have the potential to significantly impact the prices of the respective tokens, and project teams should be prepared to mitigate the volatility. Preparing for the Unlock Onslaught: Strategies for Success Here are some strategies that projects can consider: 1. Gradual Release of Tokens: By releasing tokens over time, projects can avoid large, sudden increases in supply that may lead to price drops. This approach allows the market to gradually absorb the new tokens, minimizing the potential for price volatility. 2. Community Engagement and Communication: Engaging with the community and managing expectations is crucial during token unlock events. By openly communicating unlock plans and their potential impact on token prices, projects can foster trust and transparency with their stakeholders. 3. Diversification of Token Distribution: Diversifying the distribution of tokens can help reduce the impact of any single unlock event. By allocating tokens to various stakeholders, such as team members, investors, and community participants, projects can create a more balanced and resilient ecosystem. 4. Alternative Token Release Mechanisms: Exploring alternative token release mechanisms, such as vesting schedules or lock-up periods, can provide more stability during unlock events. These mechanisms can incentivize long-term holding and discourage short-term selling, helping to maintain price stability. 5. Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations: Forming strategic partnerships and collaborations can help bolster the demand for a project's tokens, offsetting the potential impact of unlock events. By partnering with other projects, organizations, or influencers, projects can increase their visibility, credibility, and user base. 6. Product Development and Innovation: Continuously developing and improving a project's products or services can help drive demand for its tokens, counteracting the potential price drops associated with unlock events. By demonstrating value and progress, projects can attract new users and investors, supporting long-term growth. By adopting a proactive and strategic approach, crypto projects can weather the storm of token unlocks and emerge stronger, more resilient, and better positioned for long-term success. P.S. Check out my previous articles on AI at HackerNoon: Top Crypto Trends and Stories of 2024
NFT Market Trends In 2024
Meme Coin Marketing: The Ultimate Breakdown
Why Everyone's Talking About Blast: The DeFi & Airdrop
How To Launch and NFT Marketing for Projects in 2024
AI Crypto Coins: When the Power of AI Meets the Blockchain
DeFi Community Building: A Step-by-Step Guide for Crypto Startups When we check the tokenomics of this or that project, we often see that there are different unlocks/vesting periods. Big unlocks often create volatility in the market, and it affects the project’s price. Let’s check what happens when token unlocks are available. Of course, that doesn’t mean it will happen the same every time. But of course, it’s better to be aware of how the price and market reacted to such events in the past. And if you run a Crypto /DeFi/NFT project and need advice on marketing and community building, you can [message me](mailto: serge@x10.agency) to get one. Crypto The Unlock Avalanche: A Weekly Reality The analysis by 6th Man Ventures reveals that millions of dollars worth of tokens are unlocked on a weekly basis. This constant stream of unlocks can result in dramatic price fluctuations. Based on the data of 5,000 token unlocks, let’s see what usually happens. 6th Man Ventures Delving into the Data: Insights from 6th Man Ventures The Good, the Bad, and the Volatile The research indicates that small unlock events, where the circulating supply increases by less than 1%, have minimal to no discernible effect on token prices. However, larger unlocks, which increase the circulating supply by more than 1%, can have a substantial negative impact on prices. The bigger the unlock, the more pronounced the price decrease. Interestingly, projects that have already vested most of their token supply (over 70%) exhibit significantly lower volatility and higher prices compared to tokens in the early stages of their vesting periods. This suggests that projects in a more mature stage of their token distribution may be less vulnerable to the disruptive effects of large unlock events. The Numbers Don't Lie: Price Drops and Unlocks The data paints a clear picture. In the two weeks preceding and following unlock events, the average and median token prices tell a compelling story. Prices tend to decline following larger unlock events as the sudden surge in supply outpaces the demand. The magnitude of the price drop is directly correlated with the size of the unlock, underscoring the importance of managing these events. Upcoming Unlocks: Key Events to Monitor Investors and project teams should keep a watchful eye on the unlocks. For example, at the time of writing this, there are a few unlocks announced: - 24.8 million $APT tokens (worth $330 million) will be unlocked on April 12, 2024. - 64 million $STRK tokens (worth $125 million) will be unlocked on April 14, 2024. - 886,000 $CYBER tokens (worth $12 million) will be unlocked on April 14, 2024. These large-scale unlocks have the potential to significantly impact the prices of the respective tokens, and project teams should be prepared to mitigate the volatility. Preparing for the Unlock Onslaught: Strategies for Success Here are some strategies that projects can consider: 1. Gradual Release of Tokens: By releasing tokens over time, projects can avoid large, sudden increases in supply that may lead to price drops. This approach allows the market to gradually absorb the new tokens, minimizing the potential for price volatility. Gradual Release of Tokens: 2. Community Engagement and Communication: Engaging with the community and managing expectations is crucial during token unlock events. By openly communicating unlock plans and their potential impact on token prices, projects can foster trust and transparency with their stakeholders. Community Engagement and Communication: 3. Diversification of Token Distribution: Diversifying the distribution of tokens can help reduce the impact of any single unlock event. By allocating tokens to various stakeholders, such as team members, investors, and community participants, projects can create a more balanced and resilient ecosystem. Diversification of Token Distribution: 4. Alternative Token Release Mechanisms: Exploring alternative token release mechanisms, such as vesting schedules or lock-up periods, can provide more stability during unlock events. These mechanisms can incentivize long-term holding and discourage short-term selling, helping to maintain price stability. Alternative Token Release Mechanisms: 5. Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations: Forming strategic partnerships and collaborations can help bolster the demand for a project's tokens, offsetting the potential impact of unlock events. By partnering with other projects, organizations, or influencers, projects can increase their visibility, credibility, and user base. Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations: 6. Product Development and Innovation: Continuously developing and improving a project's products or services can help drive demand for its tokens, counteracting the potential price drops associated with unlock events. By demonstrating value and progress, projects can attract new users and investors, supporting long-term growth. Product Development and Innovation: By adopting a proactive and strategic approach, crypto projects can weather the storm of token unlocks and emerge stronger, more resilient, and better positioned for long-term success. P.S. Check out my previous articles on AI at HackerNoon: Top Crypto Trends and Stories of 2024 NFT Market Trends In 2024 Meme Coin Marketing: The Ultimate Breakdown Why Everyone's Talking About Blast: The DeFi & Airdrop How To Launch and NFT Marketing for Projects in 2024 AI Crypto Coins: When the Power of AI Meets the Blockchain DeFi Community Building: A Step-by-Step Guide for Crypto Startups Top Crypto Trends and Stories of 2024 Top Crypto Trends and Stories of 2024 Top Crypto Trends and Stories of 2024 NFT Market Trends In 2024 NFT Market Trends In 2024 NFT Market Trends In 2024 Meme Coin Marketing: The Ultimate Breakdown Meme Coin Marketing: The Ultimate Breakdown Meme Coin Marketing: The Ultimate Breakdown Why Everyone's Talking About Blast: The DeFi & Airdrop Why Everyone's Talking About Blast: The DeFi & Airdrop Why Everyone's Talking About Blast: The DeFi & Airdrop How To Launch and NFT Marketing for Projects in 2024 How To Launch and NFT Marketing for Projects in 2024 How To Launch and NFT Marketing AI Crypto Coins: When the Power of AI Meets the Blockchain AI Crypto Coins: When the Power of AI Meets the Blockchain AI Crypto Coins: When the Power of AI Meets the Blockchain DeFi Community Building: A Step-by-Step Guide for Crypto Startups DeFi Community Building: A Step-by-Step Guide for Crypto Startups DeFi Community Building: A Step-by-Step Guide for Crypto Startups

Stories, News & Mentions about UNLOCKEDU

Unlockedu’s Stories on HackerNoon