August 2017 Summaries

Twilio is announcing the Passthrough API, which simplifies the way developers can send bulk SMS notifications with a single API request. This allows businesses to make marketing announcements, send emergency response notifications, and even disaster alerts to their customers across multiple channels such as SMS, iOS and Android push notifications, web push via FCM and APNS, and Facebook Messenger. With Passthrough API, developers can simplify their application by making one API request to send up to 10,000 SMS messages, and use it for multichannel campaigns. The API is available in beta and uses the `toBinding` parameter to specify the destination address and channel type, allowing users to send notifications without storing addresses and with a maximum request size of 1MB.

Serialization in Python involves converting complex data types into native data types to facilitate their transformation into JSON notation, and the blog post explores this process using the serpy library. It begins by detailing a straightforward approach of adding a `to_json` function within a class to convert its attributes into a JSON-compatible dictionary, highlighting the limitations of this method such as lack of field type definition and context-based value differentiation. The post then introduces a more refined approach using serpy, which allows for the separation of serialization logic into a dedicated serializer class, ensuring better error handling and flexibility. A practical example is provided by integrating serpy with a Tornado web server to create an API that returns JSON data representing a Person object, demonstrating the effectiveness and clarity achieved through this method. The author concludes by encouraging readers to explore serialization into other formats and libraries, emphasizing the versatility of serialization beyond JSON.

** Introducing Bulk Export, a new feature that allows developers to access and download a flat file containing records of all incoming and outgoing messages for a given day. This feature is available in developer preview and offers several benefits such as loading data into a data warehouse, checking the status of messages without accessing the Twilio API, and archiving usage for regulatory or compliance purposes. With Bulk Export, developers can get a single gzipped JSON file with an entry for each message sent or received on a given day, ordered by time in that day. The feature is useful for checking delivery status, loading message data into a data store, and archiving activity elsewhere. To use it, developers simply need to fetch the resulting file from the Twilio API.

The Authy Phone Verification API is used to verify user phone numbers in Ruby on Rails applications. The process involves the user entering their phone number, country code, and verification method (SMS or voice call), which triggers an API request to initiate the verification. Once verified, the user is presented with a 4-digit code to enter, which is then sent back to the API for verification. If successful, the user's phone number is marked as verified, and they are redirected to a success page. The application uses the Authy JavaScript form helpers to augment the country code select field into a searchable list of countries.

SIGNAL London is an upcoming event that will take place on September 19th, with a variety of talks, hands-on learning sessions, and product announcements. The event features speakers from various companies, including Twilio, Transferwise, Google Cloud Platform, and more, covering topics such as Twilio's capabilities, security, machine learning, IoT, social impact, and more. The event aims to provide a platform for developers to learn and network, with a range of activities, including SuperClass hands-on learning sessions and a $bash after-party. Tickets are available now, and attendees can use the promo code PNASH20 to receive 20% off their ticket price.

If you're looking to establish a local presence for your business, having virtual phone numbers from countries like Greece and Italy can help with customer engagement. Twilio has expanded its reach by launching new virtual numbers in these locations, including toll-free options in Greece and SMS capabilities in Italy. The company is also offering beta access to new numbers in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Moldova, and other countries through a developer preview program, which comes with pricing restrictions. These new numbers have undergone rigorous testing for performance and reliability but are not yet suitable for production use due to limited stock availability.

This tutorial covers three ways to make HTTP requests in Swift 3, a popular programming language for developing iOS and macOS apps. The first method uses the built-in URLRequest class, which is straightforward but synchronous. The second method uses URLSession, another built-in API that's asynchronous and doesn't execute requests off of the main thread. The third method uses Alamofire, a popular third-party networking library with a lot of options and chainable request and response methods. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the tutorial provides examples and code snippets to help developers learn how to make HTTP requests in Swift 3.

Twilio has launched new virtual phone numbers for several countries in Central and South America, including Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, and Venezuela. These numbers are part of the developer preview program and offer businesses a way to establish local presence and engage with buyers more effectively. The launch includes Argentina Toll-Free numbers in Beta, which have undergone rigorous testing and reliability checks. To access these new numbers, developers can fill out a request form on Twilio's website.

Answering Machine Detection` now supports six European countries including `Germany`, `UK`, `France`, `Netherlands`, `Sweden`, and `Finland`. This feature allows developers to route calls picked up by humans or machines, with the option to disconnect the call or leave a message. The detection accuracy has been improved through feedback from beta testers, enabling more accurate results for users in these regions.

Symfony 3 is a web framework that allows developers to create dynamic web applications. The Symfony 3 project described in the article can be set up with basic user handling capabilities, including user registration, login, and profile editing, using the Friends of Symfony User bundle. To begin, a new Symfony 3 project needs to be created, and the installation process should be completed, which includes setting up the database and enabling the mailer_user parameter. The fos_user config file must also be updated to specify the location of the User class and other necessary settings. After installing the FOS User bundle, additional configuration is required, including updating the security.yml file and creating a new User entity in the src/AppBundle/Entity directory. Finally, the database schema needs to be updated using the doctrine:schema:update command. The article provides a step-by-step guide on how to set up this basic user handling system with Symfony 3.

By Andrea Palisca 2017-08-15 Twitter Facebook LinkedIn New Asian Phone Numbers: Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Mauritius Getting local phone numbers is important for businesses who want to expand into new geographies. We offer virtual phone numbers in over 89 countries and have launched new voice numbers in five Asian countries: Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kuwait, and Mauritius. These numbers are available by request only, due to limited stock, and come with pricing and capability restrictions. They have undergone rigorous testing for performance and reliability, but should not be used in production until further verification is completed.

At Twilio, we've recently expanded the capabilities of our Speech Recognition feature, adding support for 30 additional languages, bringing the total number of supported languages to 119. This update includes languages such as Amharic, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Bengali, and many more, which will help businesses better support their global user base. The new languages are now available in the Speech Recognition beta period, allowing customers to build a wide range of apps that utilize speech recognition capabilities. With this expansion, Twilio aims to provide users with a better experience through features like food ordering for restaurants and directory assistance.

The author of the tutorial is a native New Yorker who appreciates the convenience of Google Maps, highlighting its reliance on geospatial technology. The tutorial aims to introduce readers to Python for geospatial analysis using GeoJSON and GeoPandas. It covers environment setup, including installing necessary packages and setting up Jupyter Notebook, as well as reviewing data types such as Points and Polygons in shapely. The tutorial also introduces GeoJSON and GeoPandas, explaining how they can be used to store and visualize geographic data. Additionally, it showcases the use of geojsonio for visualizing GeoJSON on a browser, allowing users to share or host their content. Finally, the author concludes that Python is a suitable language for geospatial analysis due to its modules and tools being built with developers in mind.

Atma Connect uses text-based disaster warnings, specifically SMS, to quickly reach people in Indonesia's flood-prone areas, where traditional government early warning systems often fail. The organization's flagship tool, AtmaGo, is a social networking app that enables neighbor-to-neighbor communication and provides users with real-time information about floods, jobs, food prices, and local politics. By leveraging Twilio Programmable SMS, Atma Connect can send critical warnings and news to users quickly and reliably, reaching even the poorest and most vulnerable communities. The app has gained widespread acclaim and is estimated to reduce flood damage by $28 to $85 million per incidence in the Jakarta region alone.

Marcos Placona shares a detailed guide on creating an Alexa skill using Kotlin to help remember which bin color to use for waste collection, based on his local council's schedule. The process involves setting up a development environment with IntelliJ IDEA and Gradle, configuring an AWS Lambda function to host the skill, and implementing the skill's logic to determine bin colors based on the week number. After creating the necessary code and deploying it to AWS, the skill is connected to Alexa by configuring an interaction model and associating it with the Lambda function. Once set up, users can enable the skill on their Alexa app and test it with voice commands. Placona emphasizes the potential for further enhancements, such as integrating additional information or features, and invites feedback on improving smart device functionalities.

This article guides readers through building a Reddit Slack bot in Haskell, leveraging various APIs such as Linklater, Reddit, and Ngrok. The process begins with setting up a Slack app, creating a custom slash command, and configuring the bot to interact with the Reddit API. The code is written in Haskell, utilizing packages like Linklater and Reddit API to fetch trending posts related to user-inputted topics. After building the bot, users can test it by typing a slash command in their designated Slack channel, receiving a message with a link to the relevant Reddit post. The article concludes that building Slack bots in Haskell is relatively straightforward, offering opportunities for developers to explore other APIs and create custom bots.

The article explores five popular libraries for making HTTP requests in Node.js, including the built-in standard library module, Request, Axios, SuperAgent, and Got. Each library has its own strengths and weaknesses, with some being more user-friendly than others. The default standard library module is low-level and requires manual response data parsing, while Request is a simplified client that's easy to use but requires installation as a dependency. Axios is a Promise-based HTTP client that parses JSON responses by default and allows for concurrent requests, making it a popular choice among developers. SuperAgent and Got are other lightweight libraries that offer similar functionality with additional features like query parameters and error handling. The article concludes that each library has its own place in the ecosystem, and the best choice depends on individual needs and preferences.

The Twilio Authy API has updated its 2FA authentication process to make it more secure and less costly. Instead of sending SMS-based 2FA codes, the API now sends enhanced information from devices to allow users to make risk-based decisions for authenticating to applications. This allows businesses to gather data about the device being used for authentication, such as how recently the app was installed or where the app is running, to improve their 2FA offerings and protect against potential security risks. The updated API provides new features, including push notifications, that can be used to evaluate the risk of the device being used and provide smarter security solutions. By leveraging this data, businesses can implement more effective authentication methods, such as prohibiting SMS-based 2FA for high-risk users or transactions, and make better decisions about which devices are trusted.

This article by Dominik Kundel introduces the concept of Nodebots, a way to interact with hardware using JavaScript. It guides readers through setting up a basic Nodebot project using the Johnny-Five module and an Arduino board. The project involves creating a simple circuit with an LED and a button, and then writing code to control the LED's behavior based on button presses. The article also shows how to use the Johnny-Five library to create a web server that responds to HTTP requests and interacts with the Nodebot's hardware. Throughout the tutorial, Kundel emphasizes the flexibility and versatility of the Nodebots approach, allowing developers to leverage the npm ecosystem and work with a wide range of hardware components.

Shopify's Kit: The AI Bot Helping You Run Marketing From The Palm of Your Hand` Kit is a tool that empowers small business owners to run successful social media marketing campaigns, all via text messages. It was created by Michael Perry in 2013 after he had an "epiphany" about how easy it would be for people to manage their social media marketing if they could simply reply to three questions via text. Kit uses natural language processing and algorithms to prompt users with yes or no questions, allowing it to create and post ads on behalf of the user. The tool has been acquired by Shopify and is now used by over 500,000 merchants worldwide. Kit's success lies in its ability to understand human responses to its messages, using techniques such as sentiment analysis to inform its actions. By automating marketing tasks, Kit allows business owners to focus on nurturing their relationships with customers, a key aspect of building brand loyalty and driving sales. The tool is designed to be highly scalable, with the ability to handle millions of messages per day, and has been praised for its ease of use and effectiveness in boosting marketing efforts.

Here's a neutral and interesting summary of the text: Twilio allows developers to connect SIP-enabled devices or soft phones directly to its Voice API, enabling them to use the Voice API to handle calls. To register Twilio SIP endpoints, users need to create a credential list with their Twilio account credentials, then create a new domain in Twilio and add the credential list. Users can then register multiple extensions with Twilio using Zoiper soft phones or other VOIP devices. The registered extensions can make inbound and outbound calls within and outside of the network. To make an inbound call, users need to configure the voice URL of their Twilio number to forward calls to a specific SIP endpoint, while for outbound calling, users need to create a script that extracts the destination SIP endpoint from the incoming request and forwards the call to it.

Qeepsake` is a digital journaling platform built on Twilio's `Copilot` technology, allowing parents to log precious memories via SMS-based journaling. The service was founded by Jeff and Stephanie McNeil, who are proud parents of 5 young children, as a more convenient alternative to traditional physical journals or scrapbooks. Qeepsake provides a consistent phone number for users to interact with, avoiding the problem of constantly changing contact information, and offers prompts to inspire journal entries, such as asking parents to describe their child's personality in two words. The platform has scaled from serving 3,000 users on one phone number to a more scalable solution that is carrier-friendly, allowing it to accommodate its growing user base. Qeepsake aims to improve its ability to prompt parents with questions to inspire journal entries, providing a digital space for parents to record and cherish precious memories of their children.

When government agencies issue requests for information, companies like Twilio must comply with the requests while also ensuring that they are not disclosing more data than necessary or violating user privacy and free speech rights. To achieve this balance, two key best practices can be employed: requesting judicial review when a request is not automatically sought by an agency, and working with agencies to narrow the scope of requests. By implementing these practices, companies can increase transparency and accountability in their interactions with government agencies, while also protecting user data and promoting public safety.

Three levels of account security are offered by Twilio: SoftToken for TOTP token generation, OneTouch for a frictionless push notification-based solution, and OneCode for globally accessible delivery of TOTP tokens via SMS or voice. To use 2FA to protect the Twilio account, one must enable it from the Account Settings in the Twilio Console, choosing from two different frequency settings: requiring the second factor on every login or placing trust in the computer used to sign in and requiring security code entry just once every 30 days. Once enabled, users will be asked to verify a code delivered via SMS, phone call, or Authy app to complete the process and enable two-factor security in their Twilio account.

A WordPress plugin, SMS Twilio Comment Notifier, allows users to receive text messages when someone replies to their comment. The plugin uses Twilio's API to send and receive SMS notifications. When a user replies to a comment, the plugin checks if it's a reply to another comment. If it is, it sends an SMS notification to the original commenter with a link to the commented post. Users can enter their mobile number on their profile screen to receive these notifications. The plugin also allows users to reply to comments by texting a specific format. When a user replies, the plugin extracts the post ID from the text and posts a comment using the WordPress REST API. If there's an error posting the comment, the plugin returns an error; otherwise, it returns a success response.

Twilio org has made its inaugural investment in Hustle, a one-to-one text messaging platform that enables personal conversations at scale. The investment is part of the Twilio.org Impact Fund, which supports social enterprises using communications to create impact at scale. Hustle was chosen for its innovative use of communications and alignment with Twilio's values. The funds will be used to build out its API and integrations platform, grow in the political and advocacy space, and expand into new markets such as higher education and unions.

Plushcap here, summarizing the text for you. The article discusses porting a Twilio MMS app from .NET Framework 4.5 to .NET Core with Visual Studio Code. The author begins by explaining the benefits of using .NET Core and Visual Studio Code, including improved productivity, security, and performance. They then guide readers through the process of installing necessary tools, creating a new project, copying code, and fixing conversion issues. The article concludes by sharing the completed code on Github and encouraging readers to try it out and connect their code to Twilio for SMS functionality.

This tutorial guides users through building a WordPress plugin called Sendex that allows them to send bulk SMS. The process begins with installing WordPress and creating a Twilio account, which provides the necessary credentials for sending SMS messages. A WordPress plugin boilerplate is used to create the basic structure of the plugin, including settings pages and functionality for sending messages. The plugin includes a form for users to enter their API credentials and a page for sending messages, where they can input the recipient's number, sender ID, and message. The plugin uses Twilio's PHP library to send SMS messages. With the plugin installed and configured, users can test its functionality by sending messages from within WordPress.

The malicious npm package "crossenv" scans for environment variables and posts them to a server, posing a significant threat to users with secret credentials stored in their environment variables. A list of other potentially malicious packages has been compiled by Ivan Akulov, which should be checked for in projects. To scan for infected projects, a command can be executed using `find` and `xargs`, or a PowerShell script on Windows. If a malicious package is detected, the user's secrets should be rotated immediately, and they should inform others who may have access to the shared project. Users are advised to report any found malicious packages to npm to help prevent future attacks.

Mongoose is a company that uses SMS to communicate effectively with prospective and current students in higher education institutions. The company's product allows universities to send personalized messages to students regarding important matters such as transcripts, campus events, and academic deadlines. Mongoose was founded by David Marshall, who previously worked with pro sports teams to help them use texting to engage fans. The company uses a platform that integrates with Twilio to facilitate conversations between institutions and students. With the help of Twilio's API, Mongoose has been able to send SMS messages from its server-side application using C# code. As a result, 250 institutions have started using Mongoose's service, which has received positive feedback from advisors, counselors, and students alike.