July 2022 Summaries

The text discusses the verification of a Strapi plugin, which is now approved by Strapi. The UI/UX has been updated to align with Strapi's Design System, and Mux Player has been integrated as the preview player in the plugin. A "Code snippet" button allows users to easily copy Mux Player HTML for embedding videos on websites. Mux Player offers built-in components for customization and can be extended with additional HTML/JavaScript/CSS elements. The author encourages feedback and looks forward to seeing how users utilize the updated plugin.

The article discusses the rise and fall of jQuery in the context of web platform evolution. It highlights how many elements that were once addressed by third-party solutions have now been solved within the web platform itself. The author emphasizes the importance of creating custom HTML, as all front-end frameworks support it. They provide examples of tech companies like YouTube, GitHub, and Adobe using custom HTML in their applications. The article also discusses why HTML is considered a hero in this story due to its plugin interface for developers. It introduces the Custom Elements API, which allows developers to create their own HTML tags. The author explains how Mux uses web components to build out their Mux elements collection and how they decided not to use any framework for Media Chrome and the Mux elements. The article concludes by stating that building on the native web platform provides a chance to continue iterating on and expanding components for years to come, avoiding the trap of building on technology that may fall into obscurity.

Mux, in partnership with Contentful, has introduced a new version of the Mux Contentful App that includes improvements and introduces the Mux Player. The latest updates to the app provide users with enhanced video streaming quality and customization options. The Mux Player is deeply integrated with Mux Video and Data, offering ease of use, customization, and flexibility. New features include a timeline scroll, image posters, and the ability to preview closed captions within the Contentful dashboard. Additionally, users can now access data on user engagement and video quality through Mux Data. The app also supports audio files and offers improved upload speeds for videos.

Mux Video has introduced Reconnect Window with slates, a feature designed to help broadcasters engage viewers during live stream interruptions. With an average person's attention span of eight seconds, this tool is crucial in retaining viewers when technical issues arise. The Reconnect Window allows for the insertion of images (slates) during reconnection periods, providing updates and assurances to viewers that the stream will resume shortly. This feature supports standard, reduced, and low-latency live streams and is available at no extra cost to all Mux Video live-streaming customers.

Mux Video now supports Custom Domains, allowing users to stream videos or serve images from a domain of their choice instead of the default mux.com domains. Using a custom domain can enhance branding and credibility, separate content from other users on the platform, and help bypass firewall restrictions for certain viewers. One custom domain is included with existing Mux contracts, and integration with Mux Data ensures updated URLs across all applications.

Mux Elements, a collection of open-source components for developers using Mux, is moving from the @mux-elements npm scope to the @mux scope. This change was made to improve supply chain security and align with Mux's focus on trust and security. To ease the migration process, Mux has built a new CLI tool called mux-elements-codemod that simplifies dependency updates and codebase modifications from @mux-elements to @mux. The company is committed to providing support and resources for developers during this transition.

Mux has introduced Auto-Generated Live Captions for live streaming videos, making it easier and more affordable to add captions to new or existing live streams. The feature uses speech recognition and machine learning technology but may not be suitable for highly technical content or videos with loud background music. Pricing starts at $0.024 per minute after the first 6000 minutes of auto-generated live captions per month, which are available in English only. Mux plans to add support for additional languages and on-demand videos in the future.

Mux has built a strong foundation for its partnerships program over the past year, focusing on mutually beneficial collaboration with strategic cloud partners, platform or tech partners, and solutions or agencies. The company measures impact based on customer satisfaction and revenue. Some key lessons learned include adopting a beginner mindset, choosing an appropriate name for the program, leveraging existing partnership communities and resources, securing leadership buy-in, prioritizing early, building vs. buying tools, and understanding reciprocity in partnerships. The company also emphasizes the importance of cloud partners and their role in driving successful partnership practices.

The text discusses the importance of accessibility in creating an inclusive company culture. It emphasizes setting specific values that reflect the desired culture and living by them, embracing diversity without tokenizing individuals, being vulnerable and open to feedback, and recognizing that growth is more important than perfection. The author shares their experience at Mux, a company that actively promotes accessibility and inclusion through various initiatives such as closed captioning, ASL interpreters, diverse hiring practices, and employee resource groups. They highlight the significance of creating an environment where everyone can participate and contribute effectively, regardless of their background or abilities.