January 2015 Summaries

Twilio Segment focuses on helping companies manage customer data with its API, which includes methods for identifying, tracking, and page/screen interactions, emphasizing the collection of raw, factual data rather than session data, which are considered interpretations or stories. The absence of a session-focused API stems from the notion that sessions are subjective interpretations based on user interactions, which can vary significantly across different applications, such as fitness apps versus mobile games. By not providing a session API, Twilio Segment allows its partners to define session parameters themselves, enabling them to tailor their interpretations based on their specific user experience and data insights. This approach ensures that the core offering remains centered on delivering unfiltered, factual data, leaving room for customization and deeper understanding of customer behavior through partner-driven session analysis.

At Twilio they are impressed by the work developers do to change communication forever, and now they want to invite them to share their perspective at Signal 2015 in San Francisco on May 19th and 20th. They need presenters to join them, as they can't create a conference without diverse voices and stories from developers. The conference will cover various tools, techniques, and technologies used for effective communication, such as WebRTC and WebSockets.

The author of the text is Ricky Robinett, and he's creating a basic mobile passwordless authentication system using Laravel and Twilio SMS. The system will allow users to authenticate without entering a complex password, instead receiving a one-time use token via SMS that they must validate before gaining access to their account. The system consists of two components: a client-side mobile experience built with Swift for iOS and Java for Android, and a server-side API built using Laravel. The API will handle tasks such as sending the authentication token to the user's phone number, validating the token, and authenticating the user. The author is sharing this project as part of a series on passwordless authentication, with future parts planned to cover integrating the API into iOS apps.

The Twilio Support team has introduced a new Twitter handle called `@TwilioHelp`, which allows customers to reach out to them directly for support on the platform. This new handle is monitored 24/7 by the support team, who will respond to queries in real-time whenever possible, and escalate issues that require more in-depth assistance via email. The launch of this new handle marks a significant improvement in the speed and accessibility of Twilio's customer support services.

Automotive shops are struggling with manual data entry and long wait times for technicians to log service requests, which can lead to lost business. BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY's Mobile Manager Pro software automates systems, allowing technicians to increase repair orders, take pictures of repairs, and text customers using Twilio SMS and Message Manager product. The company was founded by Mike Risich, who saw an opportunity to improve the workflow after his students worked at an automotive repair shop and needed help fixing their software. With Android compatible software, technicians can log data on any device, eliminating duplicate entry and streamlining customer communications.

Twilio on Rails Part 3 – Adding Contextual VOIP Using WebRTC to Your Rails 4 App` is a tutorial that guides developers through the process of integrating Twilio's Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) capabilities with their Rails 4 applications. The tutorial covers creating a contextual VOIP experience for users by learning how to create a TwiML app, integrate the Twilio Client JS SDK, generate a Capability Token, connect the VOIP call, and dial the customer. The tutorial also includes examples of how to use the generated token to make outgoing calls and handle incoming calls in a browser-based application.

Nomorobo, a Twilio-powered service, successfully blocked 15.1 million illegal calls in 2014, a significant achievement in combating robocalls. Aaron Foss, its creator, took a bold step to raise awareness about the issue by printing out each blocked call and presenting it to lobbyists and regulators, including the FCC. He argued that telecom providers' claims of needing to let all calls through are misleading, as practices like blacklisting can effectively block unwanted calls. By leveraging the public request for comment process, Aaron had a meeting with the FCC to push back against misinformation and misinformation about robocalling.

Patrick McKenzie is a Twilio enthusiast who has built several successful applications using the platform. His first Twilio app was an automated secretary that used Twilio SMS and voice calls to intercept calls and provide responses. He later built Appointment Reminder, a more complex application that sends appointment reminders via SMS and phone calls. Patrick's approach to building Twilio apps emphasizes simplicity, reliability, and scalability. He uses state machines to model the behavior of his applications and tests them thoroughly using automated tools. Patrick also discusses various best practices for building high-availability Twilio apps, including using Scout Monitoring System, God, and Redis to detect errors and prevent downtime. Additionally, he shares tips on how to build reliable Twilio apps, such as using Voice Actors instead of the `<Say>` verb, playing messages in a loop, and using Zapier to integrate with other APIs. Patrick's passion for Twilio is evident throughout the article, which showcases his expertise and enthusiasm for the platform.

Here's a neutral and interesting summary of the provided text: Nikhil Karnik, a software engineer at Zillabyte, built an app that sends landlords SMS notifications about upcoming rain using Twilio. The app uses Zillabyte's distributed computing platform to query weather data from almost every weather station in America and process it with Twilio for automated SMS notifications. By wrapping Twilio rest API calls inside a Zillabyte component, Nikhil created a modular system that allows him to easily update the app without modifying the underlying code. The app's primary utility is to provide meaningful insights to humans by sending notifications when certain weather conditions are expected, making it useful for landlords and tenants alike.

Introducing Twilio Skills: On Demand Contact Center Developer Training is now available on Twilio Skills, providing introductory developer training and deeper dives into Twilio use cases. The new Contact Center Innovator badge explores how to build contact center applications that provide greater context and relevance to customer interactions. The contact center training consists of introductory lessons and hands-on coding projects, covering key concepts such as network planning and requirements, scaling call volumes, and extending an existing contact center with Twilio. Developers can review introductory lessons or jump straight to the projects and earn points and badges as they complete them. Additionally, Twilio Skills offers a wide range of training and badges for developers, from beginner-friendly to advanced levels, including the Twilio Explorer and Doer badges.

The results of a survey commissioned by Twilio in Germany revealed that 74% of Germans communicate with businesses at least monthly, but only about half are satisfied with the experience. Ineffective customer communication can lead to low satisfaction scores, degrading brand reputation, and lost revenue. The survey found that speed of response is crucial, as most respondents (92%) expect instant feedback, but even prompt responses may go unnoticed if customers don't open their email immediately. Mobile communications are also important, with mobile apps being more popular among millennials, but companies need to consider different methods to maximize reach and engagement. Data privacy is a major concern, with 80% of respondents not wanting their phone number exposed when communicating with a company, and strong access control measures are desired. The survey highlights the importance of offering multiple modes of communication, including local German experience, to boost customer satisfaction and retention.

The folks at Kohactive have created a Pokémon game that can be played on your phone using Twilio MMS and Memms, a product from Kohactive. To play the game, users send commands to a specific Twilio number, 765-303-4165, which then sends an MMS with updates on the game's progress. The game was built by Justin McNally, who was inspired by a Twilio-powered Pokedex and wanted to explore alternative ways of using MMS without an app. The Pokémon hack is collaborative, allowing users to play together via text commands, eliminating the need for a Gameboy Link Cable.

The Drama of Data: Whirligig Productions Builds An Interactive Theater With Node.js, Drones, and Twilio SMS Whirilgig Productions' production of Deus Ex Machina uses a combination of technologies including Node.js, drones, and Twilio SMS to create an interactive theater experience. The audience is given the power to shape the story in real-time via SMS votes, which are then displayed on stage alongside other visual cues. This allows for a more immersive experience, as the audience's participation directly affects the storyline. To ensure accessibility, Twilio SMS was chosen over competitors due to its ease of use and extensive documentation. The integration with Twilio has been seamless, enabling the production team to make changes to messages trivially, and has opened up possibilities for further interactive text messaging experiences.