January 2016 Summaries

Two factor authentication is a security measure that requires users to provide two forms of verification to access their accounts. In this article, Phil Nash demonstrates how to implement two-factor authentication using Authy in a Rails 4 application with Devise. The author starts by setting up a starter application and installing the necessary gems, including Devise and Devise-Authy. He then creates an initializer for Authy, sets up API keys, and runs install scripts to integrate the service into the application. With two-factor authentication enabled, users must provide a second form of verification, such as a mobile phone number or push notification, in addition to their password. The author concludes that two factor authentication is a simple way to improve security, requiring only a few lines of code and minimal setup.

You can automate the process of receiving SMS alerts for Trello cards using Twilio and Zapier, allowing you to stay informed about updates and comments on your project management boards. To set up this automation, you'll need a Twilio account, a Zapier account, and a Trello account. You'll also need to connect your Twilio and Trello accounts, choose the specific card you want to monitor, add custom filters for trigger events, select a Twilio number and craft a message, and try out the setup. With this automation in place, you can receive text messages with updates on your Trello cards, keeping you motivated and informed throughout the content creation process.

Oddly Studios, a Canadian company, built a photobooth for an automobile manufacturer at the Calgary Stampede using NodeJS, RaspberryPis, and Twilio MMS. The photobooth used time-lapse photos taken by cameras on RaspberryPis to capture game moments, allowing players to select their favorite photo and send it via Twilio MMS, complete with a western-themed wanted poster. Integrating Twilio into the project was seamless, taking only moments to implement, thanks to Twilio's Javascript client being easy to integrate with NodeJS. The photobooth sent out nearly 3,000 photos during its 9-day deployment, showcasing Oddly Studios' ability to deliver innovative MMS-based experiences for large clients.

Twilio is releasing a new semi-annual transparency report for the second half of 2015, which provides information on government requests for user data. The company also announces revised Privacy Notices, aiming to increase transparency and trust with its users. Twilio's goal is to inform users about government requests and how it responds to them, while also providing clear and direct language in its privacy notices. The updated documents are available on the company's website and GitHub repository.

The goal of Pure Chat is to make it easier for customers to get help through live chat, which requires significant Javascript engineering. Their software relies on frameworks like Node.js and Backbone to power their chat widget, while Grunt.js automates builds. Pure Chat also uses Twilio to send SMS notifications to customers when they're away from a computer, allowing them to respond quickly using native mobile apps.

Zendesk has rolled out its Advanced Voice feature, which aims to improve customer support experiences through better context and information sharing between agents. The platform uses a combination of tools from Twilio to provide real-time information on customers, including their name, phone number, and previous tickets. This allows agents to provide more personalized and efficient service, reducing the need for repetitive questions and delays. Zendesk's goal is to make the customer experience as good as it can be, using intuitive design and programmable tools to get the right information at the right time.

With Programmable Chat from Twilio, developers can provide contextual information to users and guarantee control over the experience while keeping them engaged with their app. To get started, create a backend that generates access tokens using a Twilio QuickStart or download and run a pre-built backend. Initialize the SDK and authenticate users by generating capability tokens using an HTTP request. Create a new Android Activity called ChatActivity to display a ListView, text field, and button for sending messages. Implement ChannelListener, ILoginListener, and IPMessagingClientListener interfaces to handle channel join status, login errors, and message sending. Use EasyAdapter to bind the ListView to an adapter displaying the messages, and create a view holder class MessageViewHolder to display the messages correctly. Run the app by choosing one of the pictures and tapping on the "Discuss" menu option, then write any message and hit send.

Sonia Ben Ali's organization, Urban Refugees, aims to democratize communication for displaced people through a grassroots approach using SMS technology. The app, SMSUp, allows refugees to create their own distribution lists and share critical information within their community, empowering them to self-organize easily. By leveraging the most accessible means of communication - SMS - Urban Refugees is bridging the information gap between top-down humanitarian assistance and the actual needs of displaced people living in cities. The initiative has resonated with refugee groups worldwide, resulting in a waiting list for expansion into new areas.

The Twilio team has updated their status page, providing a quicker and easier way for users to communicate and access information about Twilio's services. The new status page features an improved look and feel, with category grouping, drop downs, and granular incident progress updates. Users can now subscribe to updates through multiple channels, including SMS, webhooks, email, and RSS alerts. The updated page also includes improved metrics, a more transparent incident history, and expanded API functionality for customizing the status experience. Additionally, the new platform provides a foundation for future features and allows users to update their notification preferences as needed.