Latest news with #Nitro
Engadget
2 hours ago
- Business
- Engadget
Discord's CTO is just as worried about enshittification as you are
Discord co-founder and CTO Stanislav Vishnevskiy wants you to know he thinks a lot about enshittification . With reports of an upcoming IPO and the news of his co-founder, Jason Citron, recently stepping down to hand leadership of the company over to Humam Sakhnini, a former Activision Blizzard executive, many Discord users are rightfully worried the platform is about to become, well, shit. "I understand the anxiety and concern," Vishnevskiy told Engadget in a recent call. "I think the things that people are afraid of are what separate a great, long-term focused company from just any other company." According to Vishnevskiy, the concern that Discord could fail to do right by its users or otherwise lose its way is a topic of regular discussion at the company. "I'm definitely the one who's constantly bringing up enshittification," he said of Discord's internal meetings. "It's not a bad thing to build a strong business and to monetize a product. That's how we can reinvest and continue to make things better. But we have to be extremely thoughtful about how we do that." The way Vishnevskiy tells it, Discord already had an identity crisis and came out of that moment with a stronger sense of what its product means to people. You may recall the company briefly operated a curated game store . Discord launched the storefront in 2018 only to shut it down less than a year later in 2019 . Vishnevskiy describes that as a period of reckoning within Discord. "We call it embracing the brutal facts internally," he said of the episode. When Vishnevskiy and Citron started Discord, they envisioned a platform that would not just be for chatting with friends, but one that would also serve as a game distribution hub. "We spent a year building that component of our business and then, quite frankly, we quickly knew it wasn't going well." Out of that failure, Discord decided to focus on its Nitro subscription and embrace everyone who was using the app to organize communities outside of gaming. Since its introduction in 2017, the service has evolved to include a few different perks, but at its heart, Nitro has always been a way for Discord users to get more out of the app and support their favorite servers. For instance, the $3 per month Basic tier allows people to use custom emoji and stickers on any server, and upload files that are up to 50MB. The regular tier, which costs $10 per month, includes 4K streaming, 500MB uploads and more. They're all nice-to-haves, but the core functions remain free. Marissa Leshnov for Discord Vishnevskiy describes Nitro as a "phenomenal business," but the decision to look beyond gaming created a different set of problems. "It wasn't clear exactly who we were building for, because now Discord was a community product for everyone, and that drove a lot of distractions," he said. That sense of mission drift was further exacerbated by the explosive growth Disord saw during the pandemic, as even more new users turned to the platform to stay in touch with friends during lockdown. "It covered up all the things that we didn't fully clarify about how we want to approach things," said Vishnevskiy. "We came out stronger. A lot of people were introduced to Discord, and it's their home now, but it's probably part of what made it take longer to realize some of the decisions we made at the time weren't right." One of those was a brief flirtation with the Web3 craze of 2021. That November, Citron tweeted a screenshot of an unreleased Discord build with integrations for two crypto wallet apps. The post sparked an intense backlash, with users threatening to cancel their Nitro subscriptions if the company went forward with the release. Two days later, Citron issued a statement saying Discord would not ship the integration. "We weren't trying to chase a technology. It was about allowing people to use Discord in a certain way, and that came with a lot of downsides. We were trying to do some integrations to limit some scams, and actually do right by users and make people safer," said Vishnevskiy. "But we really underestimated the sensitivity the general user base had to the topic of NFTs, and we did not do a really good job at explaining what we were trying to do." According to reporting from that period , Discord's employees were partly responsible for the reversal. An internal server made up of workers and game studio representatives reportedly erupted over the proposed implementation. Looking back, Vishnevskiy credits the company's employees, some of whom have been with Discord for a decade, for steering leadership in the right direction over the years. He says there have been situations where the company's employees have come to him and Citron to ask "why are we doing this?" He adds, "sometimes, they've pushed us to do things [Jason and I] didn't think we should be doing. I think that's an amazing asset to have. This product is built by people who love it and use it." Coming out of the pandemic, Discord announced last year it would refocus on gaming . In the immediate future, that shift of strategy will see the company emphasize "simple things" like app performance and useability over "building new features." In March, users got a taste of that new approach, with the company releasing a redesign of its PC overlay that made it less likely to trigger anti-cheat systems like BattleEye. In turn, that made the overlay compatible with a greater number of the most-played games on Discord. In that same release, Discord added three new UI density options to give users more control over the look and feel of the app. Moving forward, one area where the company wants to be particularly thoughtful is around AI. Discord has deployed the tech in a few areas – for example, it partnered with Krisp AI in 2019 to add noise cancellation to calls – but it also has wound down experiments that didn't work. "What we've found is that a lot of these things did not work well enough to be in the product," said Vishnevskiy, pointing to features like AutoMod . The tool exists in Discord right now. Moderators can use it to filter for specific words and phrases. But when the company first pitched the feature, it envisioned an AI component that would help admins manage large, unruly servers, and even built a version of it that ran on a large language model. The company has yet to ship the feature because "it was making too many mistakes." Discord also experimented briefly with a built-in chatbot called Clyde that leveraged tech from OpenAI, but canned it less than a year later. At the time, the company didn't give a reason for the shutdown, but the occasional screenshots posted to the Discord subreddit showed Clyde could, often unprompted, say some questionable things. "We're constantly retrying some of those ideas with modern models. No timeline on any of this because we will not ship until we think it's a good fit for the product," said Vishnevskiy, adding the last thing the company wants to do is "slap [AI] in because everyone else is doing it." Looking to the future, Vishnevskiy says Discord is focused on helping game developers, especially as it relates to discovery. The majority of the most popular games on Discord are the same ones that were popular on the platform 10 years ago. That's where Vishnevskiy says the app's new Orbs currency comes in, which people can earn by watching interactive ads, playing a game, or streaming their gameplay to friends on Discord. Yes, it's a way for Discord to grow its revenue, but Vishnevskiy believes the system aligns player interests with developer interests by giving Discord users something in return for their time and attention. At least that's the idea. I got to try the system after my interview with Vishnevskiy, and while it does feel friendly to users, I'd like to see how Discord plans to make it into something smaller game studios can leverage. Right now, many of the publishers the company has partnerships with are advertising releases that already have a lot of word of mouth going for them. I'm sure fans of Marvel Rivals will love the chance to earn an Ultron avatar decoration for their Discord, but a game with 147,000 concurrent players on Steam isn't exactly struggling. Vishnevskiy wouldn't discuss the specifics of when and if the company plans to IPO, but did offer one last assurance for users. "Discord is something that is meant to be a durable company that has a meaningful impact on people's lives, not just now but in 10 years as well," he said. "That's the journey that Hammond joined and signed up for too. We are long-term focused. Our investors are long-term focused." While it may be true that the Vishnevskiy and Discord's veteran employees have learned a lot over the company's sometimes turbulent history, it's not clear how a culture of experimentation and dissent might change with more shareholders to appease. The test will be whether Discord can stay true to itself and its many users. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tyrese Haliburton's girlfriend Jade Jones sends 5-word heartwarming message for Indiana Pacers' star player following new Puma collaboration
Tyrese Haliburton's girlfriend Jade Jones sends 5-word heartwarming message for Indiana Pacers' star player following new Puma collaboration (Image Source: Getty) Puma just released the Tyrese Haliburton signature sneakers, and no one can be more happier than Jade Jones, the Indiana Pacers' star player's girlfriend. Puma revealed the new collection over Instagram, which contained closeup look on the sneakers, that Haliburton will be wearing in the NBA finals. Though it is an exciting thing for the brand and fans, its Jade Jones's reaction that caught everyone's eyes. The star player's girlfriend took to her Instagram and expressed her feelings towards the collaboration through a sweet gesture. Jade Jones reacts to Puma and Tyrese Haliburton's new collaboration On Wednesday June 5, Puma took to its official basketball-related Instagram handle "pumahoops," and revealed the iconic Tyrese Haliburton shoes for the player. The caption read, 'Introducing the Hail 1,' a short form of the star player's surname. Jade Jones reposted Puma's recent post on her story with a message for Tyrese Haliburton (Image Source: Jade Jones via Instagram) Soon after Puma revealed the new collection, Jade Jones took to her Instagram handle and reposted it on her story with the caption 'I'm so proud of you' followed by a pink heart emoticon. It shows how supportive Jade is towards Tyrese's NBA career. Besides, this is not the first time that Jade showed her support and love towards the Pacers's point guard. She has attended various matches and never fails to publicly admire Tyrese through her Instagram stories and posts. Puma reveals Hali 1 collection dedicated to Tyrese Haliburton Puma's recent unveiling of the new Hali 1 sneakers is a complete head turner. The collaboration between the Indiana Pacers's star player and the sneaker brand showed great results in the past, and this new collection is not less than that. Puma reveals the new Tyrese Haliburton collection on Instagram (Image Source: Pumahoops via Instagram) The Hali 1 shoes are specifically designed for Tyrese, which he will be wearing in the NBA finals. The sneakers are in the 'Hibiscus' color palette which follows a pale pink range. They have the iconic Tyrese's logo on the tongue whereas the body embosses the Puma brand logo throughout. Though much details cannot be uncovered from the images, but it is clear that the sneakers have Nitro cushioning for comfort and ease of movement, followed by a semi-transparent outsole. The images depict the impeccable quality that the Hali 1 sneakers will have. Though these sneakers are not available for the public, fans will see Tyrese wearing them for the finals. Also Read: 'You want to go through the best team': Tyrese Haliburton stirs the fire before Indiana Pacers face Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025 NBA Finals
TECHx
29-05-2025
- TECHx
Acer Predator Lineup Adds QD-OLED and Smart Monitors
Home » Product Watch » Acer Predator Lineup Adds QD-OLED and Smart Monitors Acer has announced the launch of new Acer Predator monitors designed for gaming and entertainment. The lineup includes two 27-inch Predator QD-OLED models focused on speed and color accuracy. The Predator X27U F5 is built for ultra-fast gameplay. It features a 500 Hz refresh rate and WQHD QD-OLED display. Acer revealed that it supports True 10Bit color, VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 500, and Delta E<2 color accuracy. It also covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. The model includes AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and a 0.03 ms (GTG) response time for smooth visuals. The Predator X27 X offers a 4K UHD QD-OLED display. It supports a 240 Hz refresh rate and VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400. Like its counterpart, it delivers accurate colors with Delta E<2 and 99% DCI-P3 coverage. Both models are aimed at pro gamers seeking high-end visuals and speed. Acer has also expanded its Nitro smart monitor series. The new models come with built-in Google TV for seamless content streaming. They offer high-resolution displays and fast refresh rates, making them suitable for casual gaming and multimedia. The Nitro GA321QK P features a 31.5-inch 4K UHD screen, 165 Hz refresh rate, and 0.05 ms response time. The Nitro GA341CUR W0 includes a 34-inch ultra-wide QHD display with a 240 Hz refresh rate and 99% sRGB color support. Both monitors support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Google Cast. Users can access over 400,000 movies and shows through 10,000+ apps. Acer also introduced the Nitro PG271K portable monitor. It offers a 27-inch 4K display with a 72 Hz refresh rate. The model includes Dynamic Frequency and Resolution technology for Full HD at 144 Hz. It features wide 178° viewing angles, IPS technology, an adjustable kickstand, and VESA wall mount compatibility. Availability and pricing were also reported: Predator X27U F5: Available in EMEA in Q3, starting at USD 899. Predator X27 X: Available in EMEA in Q3, starting at USD 1,099. Nitro PG271K: Available in EMEA, starting at USD 499. Acer's latest Predator and Nitro monitors aim to meet the needs of gamers, streamers, and professionals alike.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘I was afraid for my life.' Adriana Blake homicide Scott County trial continues
Adriana Blake took the stand Wednesday in Scott County Court to give testimony in her murder case. She and a co-defendant, Devon Braet, are accused in the deaths of Brian Goodwin, 44, and Amy Smith, 44, in January 2024. Our Quad Cities News was in the courtroom when Scott County Attorney Kelly Cunningham asked Blake about details of taking an Uber to her uncle's house. Blake said she wasn't sure about some of the details and that she doesn't remember many details from that day. Blake said Braet had her cell phone the majority of the time between Jan. 14-16, 2024, and Braet used her phone to call for an Uber. Cunningham told the court that personal items were carried into the uncle's home and Blake admitted taking a DVR from Goodwin's home. That DVR contained recordings from video cameras around the property. Blake said she didn't know the password to the DVR, so Braet told her to take it, and they would figure out the password later. She said she did it because she was afraid for her life. Blake said Braet thought Blake's ankle monitor was listening to them and recording them. Cunningham asked how a gas can was removed from the home of Braet's mother. Blake said it might have taken by Goodwin and Braet to use while they were snow-blowing the property. Blake said the can might have been in a Dodge Nitro SUV they drove. A witness said the Nitro smelled like gas, like a gas can had tipped over in it. Blake admitted she may have driven the Nitro for days with the gas smell. Blake said she and Braet recruited a person to work on the SUV to repair the heater and broken headlight so as not to draw the attention of police. But Blake said she probably wanted to draw police attention to the situation. When Cunningham suggested that Blake could have called police, Blake said 'By the time they got there I'd be dead.' Blake said she was too afraid of Braet to call, even when she was with her uncle. Blake said Braet had accidentally fired a gun in the house when the firearm was in a backpack, and she was afraid to lock him out. Her uncle's testimony didn't mention a gunshot or accidental discharge of a gun. He testified earlier that Blake and he had a falling out and hadn't talked in months, but Blake told the court they had been communicating on Facebook during that time. There were no phone call records between her uncle and Blake until early Jan. 15, 2024. The uncle said he didn't know Braet, but Blake said the two had met at her grandmother's house and that her uncle's testimony was incorrect. Blake said she had no idea how Smith's identification ended up in Blake's wallet and that Blake was surprised to see this during discovery. Blake said there was no body-camera footage of police finding the identification. She said she didn't dispute that it was in the car, but she had no idea how it got in her wallet. Testimony in the trial continues Thursday. Blake spoke quietly and sometimes see,d embarrassed as she described the events leading up to the deaths of Smith and Goodwin. The jurors watched and listened attentively along with more than 20 other people seated in the courtroom. A fire and two deaths in 2024 In January 2024, Brian Goodwin, 44, and Amy Smith, 44, were found dead after a fire in a home on the 5200 block of Division Street. Both had been shot, investigators found. Blake faces two charges of first-degree murder, a Class A felony; two charges of first-degree robbery, a Class B felony; two charges of assault while participating in a felony, a Class C felony; dominion and control of a firearm by a felon, a Class D felony; two charges of going armed with intent, a Class D felony; two charges of abuse of a corpse – mutilate/dismember to hide a crime, a Class C felony; and first-degree arson, a Class B felony; along with misdemeanor charges. Braet will be tried separately. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Discord explores virtual rewards for its ad product as it prepares for a potential IPO
Discord announced on Wednesday that it's experimenting with a new virtual reward system aimed at encouraging more users to engage with its interactive ads. This new feature, called 'Orbs,' comes on the heels of the company preparing for a potential IPO. Users can earn Orbs by completing 'Quests,' Discord's ad format where advertisers incentivize users to watch product videos or play games by rewarding them with virtual items. The addition of Orbs gives users the chance to redeem exclusive digital items from Discord's Shop, including Nitro credits, profile badges, avatar decorations, profile effects, and items from main collections. It's clear that the goal of Orbs is to encourage more interaction with Quests as Discord seeks to demonstrate to partners that it can offer a scalable ad business. The company has reportedly discussed a possible IPO with investment bankers, per The New York Times. Last month, Peter Sellis, Discord's senior vice president of product, highlighted the success of Quests. He reported that, over the past year, more than 70 Quests achieved a 10% acceptance rate with millions of rewards earned, according to the company's internal data. Quests are located in the bottom left corner of the app on PC and gaming consoles. Plans are in place to expand Quests to mobile devices in June. The Orbs experiment may also entice users who don't have a subscription to try Nitro, as they can spend Orbs on credits instead of using a payment method. For instance, users need 1,400 Orbs to get three free days of Nitro, which typically costs $10 per month. Orbs is being rolled out to a small group of users and will soon expand globally. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
