December 2013 Summaries

In this final part of the Votr application series, the focus shifts to building a CRUD interface for events using AngularJS. The `EventListCtrl` controller queries the `EventService`, which wraps around a `$resource` object pointing to the `/api/events/:id` endpoint on the Node.js app. The admin interface features a list of events, with options to create new events, edit existing ones, and delete them. The CRUD operations are handled by AngularJS directives such as `ngModel`, `addVoteOption`, and `removeVoteOption`. The API endpoints for creating, reading, updating, and deleting events are also established using Express.js routes. This concludes the series on building a real-time SMS and voice voting application using Node.js, TwiML, CouchDB, Socket.io, Highcharts, and AngularJS.

Aaron Foss, the founder of Nomorobo, launched an anti-robocalling service that started as a simple hack and gained popularity after he won an FTC challenge. The service has blocked over 400,000 illegal robocalls, protected more than 27,000 phone numbers, and has 22,000 active users with many more waiting for their carriers to support simultaneous ring, a key feature of Nomorobo. Despite initial skepticism from some that it was too simple to work, Nomorobo's success is attributed to its ease of use and lack of requiring carrier involvement or complex infrastructure. Aaron continues to personally respond to customer emails, which he believes is essential to his business, and is working on building a user-friendly UX for the service.

Twilio is launching the Twilio Heroes program, a 6-month skill development program for software developers interested in improving their all-around skill set, making a difference in developer communities, and learning about developer evangelism. The program will consist of four tracks: Technical Writing and Content, Completing a Project, Hosting a Hack/Developer Event, and Public Speaking. Participants will work on projects, check in with mentors for feedback, and have the freedom to work at their own pace. The program aims to introduce developers to new concepts, broaden their skills, provide them with developer-centric tools and resources, and positively impact their communities. The application process involves submitting an initial application and completing a form with basic interview questions. A maximum of 12-15 applicants will be admitted to the program, which is designed to feel like a skill development accelerator rather than a class.

SmartNotify is a communication platform that helps businesses manage their inbound and outbound communication effectively and immediately. The app acts as an intelligent middleman between businesses and their audience, filtering out SPAM and ensuring message delivery. In 2013, Gregory Menvielle founded SmartNotify after his freelance hacks grew into business plans, initially using Twilio for its communications solutions. A Canadian school district used SmartNotify to improve communication with parents during harsh winter conditions, switching from radio broadcasts to SMS alerts. With the platform now live on Android and iOS, Gregory is focusing on going global, working with customers in France, the US, and Canada.

Five common Twilio StackOverflow questions cover various aspects of using the Twilio API, including implementing status callbacks, playing sounds after calls, adding natural pauses to text-to-speech output, troubleshooting issues with gathering inputs, and testing Twilio applications. These questions demonstrate a range of scenarios developers may encounter while building applications that integrate with Twilio's services, such as voice and SMS functionality. The answers provide solutions to these common problems, offering guidance on implementing Twilio's features effectively and troubleshoot issues that may arise during development.

Twilio.org has introduced its new advisor board members, consisting of four leaders from the tech and nonprofit sectors. The advisors will help shape the future of Twilio's Billion Messages for Good program, which aims to support social good organizations through technology. The new members include Byron Deeter, a successful entrepreneur and investor; Mitch Kapor, a pioneer in personal computing and Co-Chair of the Kapor Center; Judy Levine, President of Catoo Partners and former vice president of marketing & engagement at Salesforce.com Foundation; and Abhi Nemani, Co-Executive Director of Code for America. The advisors bring diverse experience and expertise to the program, which has already seen initiatives like The Polaris Project and The Magnum Foundations SEE Potential make an impact through technology. With their guidance, Twilio.org aims to expand its support for social good organizations worldwide in 2014.

Ringing In Festivus: You Light Up Our Festivus Tree, We’ll Donate to The SF Food Bank` Festivus is a holiday that aims to give back to the community. This year, Dropcam and Twilio are celebrating by setting up an interactive Festivus pole at their headquarters, where users can control the lights via SMS. To make it more engaging, every time a user texts in, a dollar's worth of food will be donated to the San Francisco Food Bank until a total of $10,000 is reached. The event will be livestreamed on social media platforms and will conclude with an airing of grievances and feats of strength on December 24th.

Cara Rose DeFabio's performance "After The Tone" brings SMS technology to the stage, allowing audience members to text their personal stories about death, love, and family to her in real-time. She uses Twilio SMS to facilitate this interaction, which she believes is key to the success of art. Cara has experimented with various technologies to reach her audience, including Skype, Google Voice, Twitter, and more, before settling on Twilio for its ease of use. Her collaboration with Andrew Hyder, a Code For America Fellow, was instrumental in building the app that powers the show's interaction. The technology used is seen as a means to an end, enabling communication and intimacy between the audience members and Cara.