November 2019 Summaries

We've added a new option for developers and product teams with more advanced recording needs: server-side recording, which allows individual media tracks to be managed. This feature is currently in beta and offers benefits like high-quality audio transcription, media production, and recording meetings that include mobile devices. Developers can implement this feature by creating a room set to record using the new rtp-tracks recording type, starting and stopping recordings with the daily-js front-end library, and creating a "recipe" for a composited video that describes which tracks to include in the video and how to size and position them. The compositing process happens faster than real-time but can still take several minutes per video, and only one composite is saved per room. Once completed, information about the most recent video is available from the /recordings/:recording_id/composites API endpoint, which includes a download URL for the composited video.

As we've mentioned before, user feedback is invaluable to our mission. We recently shipped a localized version of our API video call UI in French after receiving multiple requests from French-speaking customers. To design this feature, we developed a Google Sheet that captured all the UI strings and then shared it for translation with our French partner. After translating the sheet, our design team made design updates to accommodate longer string lengths and identified places where we needed to ask for shorter translations. The updated spreadsheet was implemented and shipped live, allowing developers to easily set their calls in French by using a specific API request or code snippet. We hope to bring localization to other languages in the future and encourage customers to reach out if they need a localized version for their API needs.

We've added Full Screen mode to our API for video calls, allowing users to maximize the video call iframe and enjoy a richer experience on their devices. This feature is now available for all API customers, who can enable it by setting the `showFullscreenButton` configuration flag to true. The new UI design philosophy focuses on keeping the focus on the call experience, with the full screen UX appearing when hovering over the iframe. To implement Full Screen mode, developers simply need to sign up for a free account, embed a call into their product, and set the `showFullscreenButton` flag to true.

Brad Hughes, a brand and identity designer based in San Francisco, shares his journey from editorial design to running his own consultancy. Initially captivated by editorial design through magazines like Thrasher, Hughes spent a decade working in the editorial world, including a stint at Wired, before transitioning to brand design with Strava. He discusses the challenges and rewards of freelancing, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in branding and the value of organic client relationships. Hughes highlights the balance between work and family life, noting his work routine and the significance of in-person client interactions. He encourages budding designers to focus on their craft rather than rushing to achieve success, suggesting that hard work and perseverance will lead to fulfilling opportunities. Recently, Hughes and his family relocated to Whitefish, Montana, continuing his consultancy work from there.