developer

Generative AI Now Accessible to All Developers with Fireworks.ai Open Source API

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Just about everyone is trying to get a piece of the generative AI action these days. While lacking the brand name recognition of some of these other players, it boasts the largest open source model API with over 12,000 users, per the company. That kind of open source traction tends to attract investor attention, and the company has raised $25 million so far. “It can be either off the shelf, open source models or the models we tune or the models our customer can tune by themselves. Being an API, developers can plug it into their application, bring their model of choice trained on their data, and add generative AI capabilities like asking questions very quickly.

X Debuts Developer API Top Up Packages

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Social network X (formerly Twitter) launched new top-up packs for its developer API program on Tuesday. Last year, Elon Musk curtailed free API access and released new paid tiers with the basic level starting at $100 per month. With the new top-up launch, the social network said that there are also limits to the number of upgrades developers can purchase. Developers with basic tier are capped at 10 top-ups and developers with pro tier are capped at 5 top-ups per month. The company’s alternations to its API rules also impacted researchers and their ability to study the platform’s data.

Bluesky Acquires Top Third-Party App Creator, Graysky

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Decentralized Twitter/X rival Bluesky is adding to its ranks by scooping up a member of its developer community. London-based software engineer Samuel Newman, who built the well-received third-party Bluesky client, Graysky, is joining the startup, where he will now help develop Bluesky’s official app along with the rest of the frontend team. Given his change in position, the future of the Graysky app is uncertain. Late last year, Graysky also added Trending Topics and a Pro subscription to help the app monetize. With Newman now joining Bluesky, the hope is that the official client will also gain support for more features.

Apple Adjusts DMA, Opens New Doors for iOS Web Distribution of Apps

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Apple will allow iOS developers located in the European Union to distribute apps from the web, rather then via its App Store. “Web Distribution, available in a software update later this spring, will let authorized developers distribute their iOS apps to EU users directly from a website the developer owns and operates,” it writes. iOS users will also need to approve the developer installing apps from their site via their iPhone Settings. Apple’s initial proposal for DMA compliance did not allow web based distribution for apps. While its current attempt to force EU users to consent to tracking is being challenged via GDPR and consumer protection complaints.

“Boosting Bluesky: Developer Projects Powered by Funding”

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Would-be Twitter/X rival Bluesky is looking to more directly invest in its developer community in order to foster growth. The company last week announced “AT Protocol Grants,” a new program that will dole out small grants to developers building on its new social networking protocol. Initially, Bluesky said it would release $10,000 in grants of $500 to $2,000 per project apiece, based on factors like cost, usage, and more. The concept of decentralized social networking has been around longer than Bluesky, however, with many projects, including Mastodon, Misskey, Pixelfed, and others, backed by the ActivityPub protocol. Bluesky says the projects receiving the grants can be useful to either developers or end users and will be paid out via public GitHub Sponsorships.

iOS users in Europe rejoice as Fortnite makes its long-awaited return (for real this time)

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After terminating Epic Games’ developer account on Wednesday, Apple said it will reinstate the Fortnite maker’s access to publish iOS apps in Europe. This means that Epic can move forward with its plans for an Epic Games Store, and it can bring Fortnite back to iOS in Europe. Last month, Epic announced it would be able to bring Fortnite and the Epic Games Store back because of Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). “We are moving forward as planned to launch the Epic Games Store and bring Fortnite back to iOS in Europe. But under the new DMA law, third-party marketplaces like the Epic Games Store can come to iOS, lessening Apple’s control over apps in Europe.

New Developer Fees Added by Google in Compliance with Play Store’s DMA Plan

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This new program allows Play Store developers to lead their users in the EEA outside their app, including to promote offers. Google says this fee represents the value that Play provided in facilitating the initial user acquisition through the Play Store. Google says this fee represents the value that Play provided in facilitating the initial user acquisition through the Play Store. Developers, however, will still be responsible for reporting transactions involving those users who are continuing to receive Play Store services. Separately from the External Offers program, Google also this week launched two other programs to allow alternative billing systems for in-app purchases.

Apple Makes Modifications to DMA Regulations Under External Pressure, But Maintains Core Technology Fee Structure

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However, Apple is today announcing a handful of smaller concessions driven by feedback from its app developer community, it says. In addition, the move to opt into the DMA terms is no longer a one-way switch. However, these changes don’t address the major complaints with Apple’s DMA rules, which involve reducing commissions on App Store purchases in favor of other new fees. Before, Apple was requiring that corporations sign up each membership it controls if it chose to opt into the DMA rules. It also says apps that don’t comply with its guidelines will be blocked from installation — including via alternative app marketplaces.