Latest news with #appDevelopment
TechCrunch
09-07-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Blok is using AI personas to simulate real-world app usage
AI-powered coding tools like Cursor, Replit, Claude Code, and Lovable are helping developers write many lines of code every day to ship products faster. However, app makers still have to rely on either shipping full beta versions of their apps or using simulation software to gauge how upcoming features will work. Blok, a company that is coming out of stealth, allows developers to use AI to simulate different user personas to test an app's features and learn how to make their apps better. The company was founded by Tom Charman and Olivia Higgs in 2024. Both have been serial entrepreneurs and worked on startups together as well in areas including travel and learning. Founders Tom Charman and Olivia Higgs Image Credits: Blok To date, the startup has raised $7.5 million across two rounds. Its seed round of $5 million was led by MaC Venture Capital, with participation from people working at Discord, Google, Meta, Apple, Snapchat, and Pinterest. Blok's pre-seed round was with Protagonist with participation from Rackhouse, Ryan Hoover's Weekend Fund, and Blank Ventures. Marlon Nichols, Managing GP at MaC Venture Capital, said that Blok is often compared to Otptimizly and Amplitude, but those tools are more reactive. He said that Blok is edging them out by providing a predictive layer of testing for apps. 'We backed Blok because we believe product development is at an inflection point. Teams are shipping faster than ever, but they're still making critical decisions based on A/B tests and gut instinct. Blok's simulation engine flips that model — giving teams the ability to predict user behavior before a single line of code is written,' he told TechCrunch over email. Higgs said that the need for testing is increasing as the complexity of interfaces has increased over time. She mentioned that they interviewed more than 100 product engineers to understand problems faced by product teams. Techcrunch event Save up to $475 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $450 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW 'There is a real need for increased testing because the bar for visual interfaces is getting a lot higher. We're seeing people interact with technology through chat, through voice. So if you're introducing visual UI [elements] into the mix, you have to make sure that you are not introducing unnecessary friction into a user's workflow,' she said. Image Credits: Blok Charman said that both big and small companies face different problems. While small companies don't have cohorts to test out their products and get live feedback, big companies want to avoid stuffing features into their apps and making them clunky. 'We are trying to reach a place where companies don't need to release their features on an experimental basis and wait for a few weeks or months for results to show up,' he said. When a customer starts working with Blok, they upload their event log data from Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Segment. Blok then performs behavioral modeling and creates different user personas for app makers to test. These personas would roughly cover most of an app's user base. Image Credits: Blok Then the development team submits a Figma design and experiment details — including the hypothesis they want to test and the user goal they want to achieve — to Blok, and the user persona agents then try to run the simulation many times. At the end, Blok will show insights about how users would use a particular feature and give recommendations. These insights include an overall report of the experiment and details about what went well and what could be improved. Teams can also look at a persona-wise report and suggestions. Plus, since it is 2025, there is a chatbot that you can ask queries to about your experiment. Blok has put its product behind a waitlist and is working with an initial set of customers, largely developing solutions in finance and healthcare. The startups said that these areas are ideal to target as they can't put out bad experiments in public and play around with the product a lot. The startup charges companies through a SaaS model, but it is also figuring out how to balance out compute costs. The company is aiming to hit mid-single-digit millions in revenue this year and open up to more customers.
GSM Arena
07-07-2025
- Business
- GSM Arena
TikTok is apparently developing a new app for the US market
TikTok is reportedly working on developing a separate app just for the US market, in order to comply with the country's legislation requiring it to either sell its business in the US or face a ban. The new app is allegedly going to be released on September 5, and US TikTok users will have to switch to it in order to continue using the service. The 'old' app, the one currently in use, will be removed from US app stores when the new one launches and will then stop working entirely around next March. Obviously, if this pans out there will be plenty of notices in the existing app telling people to switch before that deadline. It's very much unclear how this is connected to the US government's repeated threats to ban TikTok unless it's sold. The report says there's a connection, but doesn't go into any more details. In the meantime, US President Trump has announced that a "group of very wealthy people" is going to buy TikTok's US operations from ByteDance, the Chinese company which owns the platform. We still don't know who these people are, but Trump promised that will change later this month. The deal will most likely require some sort of approval from the Chinese government, since ByteDance is based over there. Whether that will be forthcoming is anyone's guess. Source
Geek Culture
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
Singapore Student Wins Apple's Swift Student Challenge With Focus App Concept, Is Invited To WWDC, Gets Attention Of Tim Cook
Concerned with short attention spans and the need for instant gratification among the younger generation, 16-year-old St. Joseph's Institution student Jatin Rakesh opted to submit a concept app that focuses on keeping people's attention span. What he didn't expect was to not only win Apple's Swift Student Challenge and be among one of 50 Distinguished Winners globally, but he also received an invitation to attend the recently concluded Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), and got noticed by Apple CEO Tim Cook in the process. Jatin Rakesh (top row, 10th from the right) posing next to Apple CEO Tim Cook and fellow Distinguished Winners. 'I wasn't expecting to meet Tim Cook as part of our tour, but was pleasantly surprised when he joined the Distinguished Winners' group photo next to the iconic rainbow arch at Apple Park,' remarked the excited student of his week-long experience visiting Apple Park in Cupertino, California. 'I had butterflies in my stomach when he decided to stand next to me and put his arm around me for the photo! Meeting someone as respected and inspiring as Tim is a true bucket list moment I will never forget.' And he has his mother to thank for this journey, as she was the one who pushed him to start his coding journey, which began when he was just 11 years old, with block coding and subsequently, syntax coding with the help of a private tutor. These two coding structures are concepts that even the average adult will struggle to comprehend, but it was his mother who encouraged him to do so. 'At first, I joined reluctantly,' Jatin recalls, 'but as I went through the stages of coding, I learnt that coding is so much more than clacking keys – it made me realise how it can empower people's lives.' And that empowerment led him towards Apple's Swift Student Challenge, a prestigious international competition that began in 2020 with the goal to support and recognise young coders and their creative ability. His winning concept app was among the 350 winning global submissions for the year, with his exceptional work further earning him an invite to Apple Park. His winning entry, Attention Tractor , is a short story-based simulation game featuring a hamster named Theo who has trouble focusing. The app playground, which refers to conceptual prototypes that are not full apps, includes a series of mini-games alongside its simple narrative that encourage the fostering of positive habits to improve one's attention span, such as setting an early bedtime, exercising active listening, as well as the importance of healthy eating and meditation. Attention Tractor On a personal level, the idea stemmed from wanting to help his generation of peers focus, tackling an apt problem faced by many in this fast-paced digital age of short-form content like 30-second TikToks. It also hit closer to home, of wanting to help his younger sister after witnessing its negative effects first-hand. 'My entry was inspired by the insight that my generation tends to have low attention spans.' he explains, 'With the proliferation of social media, and according to my research, this can negatively impact long-term focus, concentration, and mental health, and can worsen if left unaddressed over time.' 'I also wanted to address this issue because I wanted to see how I could help my younger sister manage her short attention span, as I've seen it affect her in various ways.' Attention Tracor After two previous attempts at participating in the Swift Student Challenge, he took the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone and following two months of hard work, his efforts earned him an all-expenses-paid trip to WWDC 2025, where he made connections with global app creators and shared in their experiences. 'I was able to learn more about accessibility and how the user experience on Apple's ecosystem can make people's lives better.' says the young developer, 'The experience really showed me the diversity of the global developer community and reminded me of what we all have in common – to make people's lives easier and more efficient through code and the apps we create.' 'Being around experienced developers and other Distinguished Winners, we discussed ways to improve our apps, share goals, and learn more from each other about Apple's technologies,' adds the former Kranji Secondary School student, who has quickly taken in the feedback received on his code, along with ideas that have made him rethink how he presents himself and his apps. While studying at Kranji Secondary School, Jatin, along with three of his friends, developed a travel planner app, Journify . 'That's what makes being part of the developer community so amazing – you know you are not alone, and that there will always be other smart people with better capabilities and ideas to help you out, because we all share a vision of using technology to make people's lives better.' While his coding and app creation journey has only just started, Jatin is fast realising that coding can play a big role in his future. 'My passion for coding has continued to grow – programming a website is only bound by my imagination, and the freedom of coding has given my life a whole different meaning and allowed me to get creative.' So, what's next for the budding app developer? For now, exams are his main priority, although he hopes to continue working on Attention Tractor, evolving it from an app playground to a full-fledged app that can benefit countless others. 'There is one thing I'm certain of, though, and that is making a positive impact in another person's life and building apps that help the community benefit and grow. My biggest goal in life is to be a good human being and be remembered as someone who used technology to empower people and help others in their daily lives.' Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise 'duds' like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3 . He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying. Apple Singapore swift student challenge wwdc WWDC 2025
Geeky Gadgets
13-06-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
How Apple PaperKit Simplifies App Development with Pre-Built Components : Apple WWDC25
What if creating a stunning, high-performing app was as simple as sketching ideas on paper? At WWDC25, Apple introduced PaperKit, a new framework poised to redefine how developers approach app creation. In an era where app development often feels like a tug-of-war between creativity and technical complexity, PaperKit promises to tip the scales. By combining intuitive tools with advanced functionality, Apple has crafted a solution that not only accelerates workflows but also enables developers to focus on what truly matters—crafting exceptional user experiences. Could this be the most developer-friendly innovation Apple has unveiled in years? In the video below Apple Developers provide more insights into the fantastic potential of PaperKit, exploring how its pre-built components, real-time previews, and seamless integration with Apple technologies like SwiftUI and ARKit are reshaping the development landscape. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, you'll discover how PaperKit simplifies the most daunting aspects of app design while maintaining Apple's hallmark for quality and innovation. But beyond the technical features lies a deeper question: can PaperKit bridge the gap between functionality and creativity in a way that redefines app development for the next decade? Let's explore. Apple Unveils PaperKit What is PaperKit? PaperKit is a developer-focused framework that integrates advanced tools to simplify the app development process. Its core purpose is to reduce complexity while allowing the creation of polished, high-performing applications. Whether you are building an app from the ground up or refining an existing project, PaperKit offers a robust foundation that bridges the gap between technical functionality and user experience. By addressing both creative and technical aspects of app design, it allows developers to focus on innovation and deliver exceptional results. One of PaperKit's standout features is its ability to streamline the development process without compromising on quality. By offering tools that cater to both novice and experienced developers, it ensures accessibility while maintaining professional-grade outcomes. This dual focus makes PaperKit a versatile solution for a wide range of app development needs. How PaperKit Simplifies App Development PaperKit excels in simplifying app development by automating repetitive tasks and providing pre-built components. These features allow developers to allocate more time to innovation and creativity. The framework includes modular design templates that can be customized to suit the specific requirements of any app. These templates not only speed up the development process but also ensure consistency in both interface design and functionality. For instance, instead of manually coding common UI elements, developers can use PaperKit's ready-made components. This approach significantly reduces development time, minimizes errors, and ensures a professional, cohesive design across the app. By eliminating the need for repetitive coding, PaperKit allows developers to focus on creating unique features and enhancing user engagement. Apple WWDC25 Meet PaperKit Watch this video on YouTube. Browse through more resources below from our in-depth content covering more areas on Apple iOS 26. Focusing on User Experience User experience lies at the heart of PaperKit's design philosophy. The framework provides tools that enable developers to create apps with intuitive navigation, responsive layouts, and visually appealing interfaces. One of its most notable features is the real-time preview capability, which allows developers to see how their app will look and function across various Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This real-time feedback ensures that apps deliver a consistent and engaging experience, regardless of the device being used. By prioritizing usability and aesthetics, PaperKit helps developers design apps that resonate with users and meet Apple's high standards for quality. Additionally, the framework's focus on responsive design ensures that apps perform seamlessly across different screen sizes and resolutions. Seamless Integration with Apple Technologies As part of the Apple ecosystem, PaperKit is designed to integrate effortlessly with other Apple technologies. It supports tools like SwiftUI, CoreML, and ARKit, allowing developers to incorporate advanced features such as machine learning, augmented reality, and dynamic user interfaces into their apps. This seamless compatibility ensures that apps are optimized for Apple's hardware and software, delivering a smooth and reliable experience for users. For example, if you are developing an app that uses augmented reality, PaperKit's integration with ARKit simplifies the process. This allows developers to focus on creating immersive experiences without being bogged down by technical challenges. Similarly, its support for CoreML enables the incorporation of machine learning models, making it easier to build intelligent, data-driven applications. Key Features of PaperKit PaperKit offers a comprehensive suite of features tailored to meet the diverse needs of developers: Pre-built components to accelerate app development and reduce repetitive coding tasks. to accelerate app development and reduce repetitive coding tasks. Real-time previews to ensure cross-device compatibility and consistent user experiences. to ensure cross-device compatibility and consistent user experiences. Seamless integration with Apple technologies like SwiftUI, CoreML, and ARKit for advanced functionality. with Apple technologies like SwiftUI, CoreML, and ARKit for advanced functionality. Responsive design tools for creating visually appealing and adaptable user interfaces. for creating visually appealing and adaptable user interfaces. Optimization for smooth performance across the Apple ecosystem, making sure reliability and quality. Why PaperKit Matters PaperKit represents a significant step forward in app development by addressing the challenges developers face in creating high-quality applications. By simplifying workflows, enhancing user experience, and integrating seamlessly with Apple's ecosystem, it provides a powerful toolkit for developers to bring their ideas to life. Whether you are an experienced developer or just starting out, PaperKit equips you with the resources needed to create innovative, functional, and visually appealing apps. The framework's emphasis on usability, efficiency, and compatibility ensures that developers can meet the demands of modern app users while maintaining Apple's high standards for performance and design. By reducing the technical barriers to app creation, PaperKit enables developers to focus on what truly matters—delivering exceptional user experiences and driving innovation in the app development space. Media Credit: Apple Developer Filed Under: Apple, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Gizmodo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
This AI App Is Using an AI-Generated Ad to Show How Easy It Is to Generate AI App Slop
Back in my day, the phrase used to be 'there's an app for that,' and that's still the case, though with one major amendment: now, it's 'there's an AI app for that.' In fact, there's even an AI app for making apps—buckle up, kiddos, things are about to get meta. Let me explain: Rork, which I stumbled across while scrolling X, is—if we are to drink the Kool-Aid—the app to end all apps. The font from which all other apps may flow. The cold fusion of coding. Alright, I'm exaggerating, but it's exactly what I alluded to: an app that makes apps, which is like a hat on a hat if the first hat actually made the second hat. To make things even more meta, Rork used an AI ad with Google's new Veo 3 video generator to promote its tool. Is your head spinning yet? Mine kind of is. When I say Rork makes apps, I mean it really makes the damn thing (at least I think it does since I wouldn't know a functional piece of code if it sat on my chest and suffocated me like a sleep paralysis demon). But on the surface, it does the whole thing. I went to the web version of Rork to try it out (there's no mobile app that I'm aware of), and it seemingly took my text prompt, 'I want to make an app that matches me with similar-sized people in my area to fight. Like Tinder but for fisticuffs,' and ran with it. Introducing Rork 1.0 Make any mobile app you want, save it to your phone or share it with the world – in minutes. Powered by Claude 4. Video by Veo 3 AI. — Rork (@rork_app) May 22, 2025 Once I punched the prompt in (pun intended), Rork got to work (thinking for a while as AI does) and then used its corresponding large language model (Anthropic's Claude 4 model) to start drawing everything up. And I mean everything—colors, features, parameters, basically every aspect of an app that you might need to launch. And the conjuring doesn't stop there. Once everything is devised, Rork's interface splits everything off into packages if you want to look at the code (that is, if you're capable of reading it, unlike me), and then it does my favorite part—it generates a usable preview that you can test on your phone or another device. After the AI had coded everything, I was able to scan a QR code and generate a preview using ExpoGo, a tool that lets you deploy code in a preview mode. So, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: FightMatch, Tinder for kicking ass. It's worth noting that I tried to make this even more meta by prompting Rork to make an app that uses generative AI to make images or video—an AI app that generates AI—but it ran into some issues that I wasn't able to fully wrap my head around. Per Rork, they were 'critical errors,' and even when I clicked the 'fix' button, it wouldn't budge. No AI app inception today, folks, sorry. On one hand, as someone with no coding experience, I'm impressed. Rork, as promised, was able to take my very simple text prompt (Tinder for fighting) and write up all the code to make it happen in about a minute or so. Again, a coder I am not, but that feels pretty extraordinary from a sheer idea to preview perspective. I'm fairly certain whatever Rork and Claude generated wouldn't be enough to push to an app store right away, both from a technical and aesthetic perspective, but as a first draft, it's at least serviceable, if very far from perfect. Also, if I'm being honest, I was looking for more of a Fight Club-type app over MMA, but I suppose Claude played this one safe. There's obviously vast potential here to expedite app creation, but just like with every generative tool like this, there's also potential for something less exciting—slop. Like I wrote earlier this week, tools like Google's Veo 3 and Flow are impressive technical feats, but they also feel primed to further bloat an already overwhelming bucket of AI slop. There's always that question: do we need more apps or do we need better apps? I'm a proponent of the latter philosophy, but if there's one thing I've come to expect in the tech world, it's more. But hey, if I get rich quick with FightMatch, I can't really complain, can I? And if you disagree, swipe right, and let's settle this the old-fashioned way.
