🪅 Heap Heap Hurray Ed. #78

Wishing you a delightful and successful Thursday. Good morning!

#SavvyShopper - The old Pixel 8 series and 7a just got a price drop after the new Pixel 9 launch. Like, up to Rs 7,000 off! You can snag a new Pixel for as low as Rs 41,999!

#ProtonPower - Proton VPN is giving away their browser extension to everyone, EVEN THE FREE USERS! You can now keep your VPN connection within your browser only and can even use your standard internet connection for devices that don't work well with full VPN.

#KeepingUpWithTelegram - Telegram is adding new ways for creators to make money on its platform. Users can purchase monthly paid subscriptions using the app’s digital currency, Stars. Creators can set the price for their content and can convert Stars into Toncoin rewards or subsidized ads.

India's TRAI Cracks Down on Spam Calls
India's Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) on Tuesday directed telcos to stop calls from unregistered telemarketers. The move is part of an effort to curb spam and scams in the country.

US Department Of Justice Considers Breaking Up Google
Following a ruling that Google monopolized the online search market, the U.S. Justice Department is contemplating breaking up Alphabet Inc.’s Google. Potential actions include divesting key units like Android or Chrome, and imposing restrictions on AI dominance. This marks the most significant antitrust move since the Microsoft case.

Apple's NFC Payment APIs Going Live
Apple is going to let developers offer in-app NFC transactions using the Secure Element starting with iOS 18.1. Until now, NFC access for third-party apps has been limited to reading tags. The relevant APIs to build these apps will be available to developers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. However, developers that want to take advantage of Apple’s APIs will have to “enter into a commercial agreement with Apple, request the NFC and SE entitlement, and pay the associated fees”

Summary Of Google’s Pixel 9 Event
Here’s a list of updates announced in the recently concluded Made By Google event yesterday.

Pigsty | Battery-Included PostgreSQL Distro as a Free RDS Alternative

Sq Lpage | SQL-only webapp builder, empowering data analysts to build websites and applications quickly

Fresh Grad To Leadership: Tips For Growth As A UX Designer
The author recently completed five years as a UX designer in the fintech world and shared some tips for anyone looking for tips to grow in their UX career.

React's Pure Functionmental Model
When developing with React, side effects—like API calls or DOM manipulation—should be carefully managed. Stick to these rules: avoid side effects during rendering, handle event-driven side effects in event handlers, and use useEffect for synchronization with external systems. These principles keep your UI fast, predictable, and maintainable, ensuring React renders remain pure and efficient.

Pinterest's Onboarding Story
Newbie engineers Rebecca and Jordan share their experience onboarding at Pinterest, from learning the ropes to launching their first project. With a combination of conventional onboarding, social aspects, and a healthy dose of Pinterest puns, they dive into their first week, Basecamp, and Web Engineer curriculum, highlighting the company's focus on openness, modern tech stack, and team camaraderie.