platform
platform on Beyond Market Intelligence: a running collection of 67 stories we have gathered and hand-picked because they are worth your time. Every post here touches on platform in some way — the news, the analysis, the deep dives, and the occasional surprise find. Acme AI is the next-generation, AI-powered spreadsheet platform built to replace Excel and redefine how analysts, data scientists, and enterprise teams work with data. New stories are added to this page as we find them, so check back if you want to keep up with what is happening around platform, or subscribe to the RSS feed to get them as soon as they are published. Browse the collection below, or head back to the homepage to see everything Beyond Market Intelligence is covering right now.
The Power BI Developer's Survival Guide to Microsoft Fabric
Power BI developers, a significant shift is underway. Microsoft Fabric has arrived, effectively replacing Power BI Premium. This guide provides a clear, concise overview of what’s changed—and what hasn’t—to ensure a smooth transition. We'll equip you with the essential knowledge to navigate this evolution and confidently begin leveraging Fabric's capabilities. If you're exploring the broader landscape of AI-powered development, consider "How to Solve the Right Problem in the Age of Agentic AI" for a practical framework.
TikTok comments are getting more interactive with voice comments, polls, and more
TikTok is evolving its comment section, introducing interactive elements like voice comments and polls—a clear shift toward deeper engagement. The platform is strategically integrating features reminiscent of messaging apps, signaling a focus on fostering richer user connections. This move reflects a progressive approach to platform interaction, moving beyond simple text-based feedback. For those interested in the underlying data powering these trends, explore our recent analysis of a massive TikTok video dataset on Hugging Face.
[D] Simple Questions Thread
Centralize your spreadsheet questions in this dedicated thread to streamline our community’s knowledge sharing. Instead of initiating new posts, please direct all inquiries here—we’ll keep this thread active until the next iteration, encouraging ongoing collaboration. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the previous question thread! For deeper insights into related topics, explore how AI is transforming data accessibility, as highlighted in our recent piece on Clipto.
Google’s Android update tackles motion sickness, accessibility, and more
Android's latest update delivers significant enhancements across accessibility, user comfort, and core functionality. Addressing a common concern, the update incorporates features to mitigate motion sickness during extended use. While some improvements mirror functionalities already available on iOS, others uniquely leverage Gemini to provide intelligent assistance. This future-focused release underscores Google’s commitment to an evolving user experience. For those interested in the broader landscape of AI advancements, explore our recent article on OpenAI’s Astra model and its cybersecurity implications.
Free Transcription with Speakr
Take control of your data with Speakr, our free, self-hosted transcription platform. Designed for those seeking full privacy and agency, Speakr empowers you to transcribe audio directly, ensuring your files never leave your infrastructure. This guide details setup, usage, and strategies for maximizing Speakr’s capabilities—a critical step for organizations prioritizing data sovereignty. For deeper insights into related data infrastructure considerations, explore our article, "A group funded by Andreessen, Horowitz, and Brockman plans data center ads to sway midterms."
Hollywood celebs are getting into microdrama apps
Hollywood’s elite are increasingly exploring a transformative shift in content creation: microdramas. Several high-profile celebrities are opting for this emerging format, foregoing traditional eight-figure film deals for shorter, more agile productions on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This represents a significant evolution in entertainment, driven by accessibility and audience engagement. Discover how this trend challenges established industry norms and reshapes the landscape for both creators and viewers—a change that even impacts how we consume media, as explored in our recent piece on XREAL's smart glasses.
Uber Builds GitFarm to Run Git Operations as a Service for Large-Scale Monorepos
Uber engineers have developed GitFarm, a novel solution for managing Git operations within large-scale monorepos. This centralized service eliminates the need for local repository clones, significantly reducing resource consumption and startup latency for automation workflows. Leveraging prewarmed checkouts, ephemeral sandboxes, and gRPC streaming, GitFarm streamlines development across thousands of repositories. For further insights into evolving platform architectures, explore Kasia Trapszo’s discussion of Netflix’s commerce platform transformation.
Friend-focused photo-sharing app Retro snags $21M
Retro, a new photo-sharing app prioritizing close connections, has secured $21 million in Series A funding. Founded by experienced former Instagram employees, Retro aims to reshape how people share memories with friends, moving beyond the pressures of broader social media. The funding will fuel development and expansion, establishing Retro as a compelling alternative for users seeking a more intimate digital space.
Presentation: From DVDs to Global Streaming: How Netflix’s Commerce Architecture Actually Evolved
Join us as Kasia Trapszo illuminates Netflix’s remarkable journey, transforming from a U.S.-based DVD service to a global streaming powerhouse. This presentation details the evolution of their commerce architecture, navigating complex international payments, regulatory hurdles, and the shift from monolithic systems to domain-driven design. Discover how Netflix re-architected its infrastructure to handle massive live-event demand, demonstrating the enduring principle that exceptional systems thrive through continuous adaptation. For deeper insights into flexible data workflows, explore "AWS Introduces Specification Driven Composition."
Flipboard acquires Graze, the feed builder working to monetize the open social web
Flipboard expands its vision for the open social web with the acquisition of Graze, a promising startup focused on building feeds and enabling creator monetization. This strategic move brings Graze's privacy-friendly ad technology directly into the Flipboard ecosystem, empowering creators and fostering a more sustainable social media landscape. Flipboard's commitment to innovation is further underscored by the growing demand for AI infrastructure, as seen in Anthropic's recent $45B deal with Nscale – a testament to the evolving digital landscape.
Meta agrees to sweeping changes to restrict kids’ access to its apps as part of settlement with states
Following a significant settlement with multiple states, Meta is implementing sweeping changes to safeguard younger users' access to its platforms. Key among these is a planned two-hour daily time limit for users aged 13-17, requiring parental consent to disable. This move signals a growing focus on digital wellbeing and responsible technology design. For creators navigating evolving platform dynamics, Instagram’s new “First Draft” feature offers a streamlined approach to Reel editing, demonstrating a commitment to user productivity.
Runable hits $21M to bet AI agents can go from building businesses to growing them
Runable, a platform focused on empowering AI agents to manage and scale businesses, has secured $21 million in funding. The company’s core proposition is enabling users to move beyond initial business building and into sustained growth through AI. Notably, Runable reports that 60%–70% of its substantial token usage—over 1 trillion tokens in the last 90 days—originates from paying customers, demonstrating early market traction.
How to Format Your TDS Draft: A New and Improved Guide
Crafting a clear and compliant TDS draft is essential for publication on Towards Data Science. Our new and improved guide streamlines the process, providing everything you need to effectively utilize the Contributor Portal. This resource clarifies formatting expectations, ensuring your submission aligns with our editorial standards. Discover how to structure your draft for optimal readability and impact. For deeper insights into related AI challenges, explore "Hallucinations, Watermarks, Removers, and a Squeezed Balloon," available on our site.
India’s Ringg gets backing from Peak XV as it pushes voice AI past the phone call
Ringg, the India-based startup transforming voice AI beyond traditional phone calls, has secured $10 million in a Series A extension led by Peak XV. This investment underscores a growing recognition of Ringg’s potential to streamline communication and enhance productivity through innovative voice technology. The company is focused on making sophisticated AI accessible to businesses, empowering them to manage interactions more efficiently. For those interested in broader AI funding trends, explore our recent coverage of Stability AI’s $76 million raise.
Instagram’s ‘First Draft’ feature aims to make editing Reels less tedious
Instagram’s new ‘First Draft’ feature streamlines Reel editing, offering a significant boost to creator productivity. The tool generates a preliminary edit in under 10 seconds, democratizing video creation for users of all skill levels. This innovation reduces tedious editing tasks, empowering more people to share their stories. It's a welcome shift toward accessible content creation. For deeper insights into evolving AI-powered tools, explore our coverage of Anthropic’s Claude Cowork and its improved memory capabilities.
X sends cease-and-desist to open source project Nitter over alleged scraping
X has initiated legal action against Nitter, an open-source project providing privacy-focused alternatives to the X platform. The social media company issued cease-and-desist letters demanding the removal of Nitter’s instances and code repository, citing alleged scraping activities. This move underscores escalating tensions around data access and usage within the evolving social media landscape. For a broader perspective on the shifting dynamics of online platforms, explore our recent article on Andy Dunn’s startup, Pie.
Andy Dunn’s startup Pie becomes less of an events app and more of a social network
Pie, the social app founded by Bonobos co-founder Andy Dunn, is evolving beyond its initial focus on events. The platform is now prioritizing group connection and streamlined planning through new digital spaces. This shift positions Pie as a social network designed to empower communities to organize and interact more effectively. Pie's transformation reflects a broader trend toward integrated social and productivity tools, similar to the innovative approach seen in Gamma's recent acquisition of Lica. Explore the future of social connection with Pie.
A New Towards Data Science: A Faster Site and a Brand-New Contributor Portal
Towards Data Science is evolving to better serve our community. We've completely rebuilt our website and launched a brand-new contributor portal, designed to enhance both reading and writing experiences. Expect a noticeably faster site and streamlined submission process. This transformation empowers data scientists and enthusiasts to explore insights and share expertise more effectively. For those interested in the broader landscape of AI-powered tools, consider our recent piece on Claude’s expanded memory capabilities. Discover the improvements and unlock your data storytelling potential today.
Cursor Releases Origin as an Agent-Native Alternative to GitHub
Cursor is redefining code hosting with Origin, a git-based platform now integrated directly within its AI-powered editor. Positioned as a compelling alternative to GitHub, Origin offers teams already leveraging Cursor's AI capabilities a seamless and streamlined workflow. Currently in early beta across Pro, Teams, and Enterprise plans, Origin resides within a dedicated "Codebase" tab. This move underscores Cursor’s commitment to an agent-native development experience. For a deeper dive into related AI and coding practices, explore "10 Positions for Enterprise RAG That Mainstream Tutorials Get Wrong."
Amjad Masad, CEO and co-founder of Replit, joins the Disrupt Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of programming with Replit CEO and co-founder, Amjad Masad. He’ll be sharing his vision for the future and Replit’s integral role in shaping it. Masad’s perspective promises to illuminate the transformative potential of accessible coding environments. This appearance follows recent industry shifts, like Stripe’s significant investment in OpenRouter, underscoring the dynamism of the startup ecosystem. Discover how Replit is empowering the next generation of developers.
Article: Rightsizing Platform Engineering: Building the Platform Your Organization Actually Needs
Shift-left and DevOps practices, while valuable, have inadvertently increased cognitive load and duplicated effort within engineering workflows. This article, "Rightsizing Platform Engineering," addresses the critical need to build developer platforms that genuinely meet organizational needs, reducing complexity and accelerating change delivery. John Keates explores the practical challenges and cultural considerations essential for success. For deeper insights into related workflows, see "Spec-Driven Development with Claude Code" and discover potential pitfalls in specification design.
VoidZero Releases Vite+ Beta: A Unified Web Toolchain Behind a Single Command
VoidZero introduces Vite+, a beta-ready unified web development toolchain designed to streamline your workflow. Now, manage runtime, package dependencies, and essential frontend tools with a single command. Vite+ supports a diverse range of projects and operates as an open-source platform, offering features like hot-reloading, format checking, and integrated testing. We prioritize community feedback to shape future iterations—explore Vite+ and contribute to its evolution. For broader context on platform safety considerations, see our recent article on TikTok's experimental safeguards.
Senators demand answers from TikTok over experiment that disabled safeguards
Recent reports indicate Senators are demanding answers from TikTok regarding a concerning experiment. The platform temporarily disabled safeguards designed to protect users from overwhelming exposure to potentially harmful content, reportedly to assess its impact on user engagement. This action raises serious questions about user well-being prioritized over platform metrics. For deeper insights into how technology impacts user experience, explore our recent piece, "AI isn’t close to curing cancer. This startup says it knows what it will take."
Meta brings Pocket, an app that lets you vibe-code and share games, to US users
Meta is expanding access to Pocket, its experimental AI-powered app, to users across the U.S. Following a successful initial test in Brazil, Pocket empowers anyone to effortlessly create and share interactive games through a process Meta calls "vibe-coding." This innovative tool democratizes game development, offering an accessible entry point for creative exploration. Interested in the broader landscape of AI experimentation and its implications? Explore Ramp’s recent launch of Router, an AI model routing service, for deeper insights.