UI/UX Articles and Interesting Tidbits of the Week
December//13//2024
Here are some interesting finds on UI/UX of the past week!
1.
Yelp’s AI Powered Filters. This article from Jess Weatherbed for The Verge is an interesting development on a well established platform, and how AI is permeating in that particular product experience. In this case it’s enabling users to further refine their search, by boosting up filtering capabilities. It’s an example of how AI can bolster a product experience, well integrated on how users consume it. Beyond the future itself, it serves as an example of possible venues on how AI can be integrated into a product, without making its narrative about that virtuosity. Highlight of the article includes:
“The home feed search bar on iOS now features a trending drop-down that highlights the most popular terms other local users are looking for, which will be coming to Android “early next year.” The iOS app home page has also been expanded to include new reviews, photos, and full-screen video spotlights uploaded by other users that surface recent experiences. Yelp says it’s rolling out an AI-powered update that “better tailors the home feed to your preferences” in the coming weeks.”
2.
Where do Startups Come From? This article from Linnea Ahlgren for The Next Web, is in reality a reporting of her attendance of an Innovation Gathering sponsored by Red Bull (Red Bull Basement is the title of the engagement) in Tokyo. This event receives thousands of submissions, and the gathering is an opportunity for many of these innovative minds to come together, pitch their ideas, network, amongst many other activities. The result: The top 10 got to pitch their ideas to the panel of global judges — and an auditorium of a few hundred people — on the 45th floor, in front of a backdrop of Tokyo lit up at night. The prize for the global winner was an all-expenses-paid three-week trip to San Francisco to be mentored by Silicon Valley-based Plug and Play VC. It’s an article worth reading for the stories behind some of its finalists, but also what is prompting innovation across the globe. Highlight of the article includes:
“The winner of the global final was Soi Gamayon from the Philippines with his AgriConnect startup. The AI-powered app, inspired by watching his uncle’s struggle farming rice, allows farmers to monitor their crops, build resilience, and increase their yield. “My purpose is really to build something bigger than myself,” said Gamayon. “I’m doing this for Filipino farmers. This wasn’t just about competing or winning. It’s about sharing moments and memories with people who are like-minded. I share this with all the other teams who are here.””
3.
Worklife Trends for 2025. This fascinating article from Daniel Zhao for the Glassdoor Blog, looks to data and trends from the last few years, to forecast what is coming in the new year. The author highlights very pertinent aspects/trends such as: Employees’ pent-up resentment will boil over, Falling down the career ladder will stunt pay and career growth for workers, Side hustle culture fuels new paths to career growth, to name but a few. These trends are substantiated in the article by an analysis of various sources of information, including polls, academic research papers, amongst all referenced sources. It’s a necessary read. Highlight of the article includes:
“Workers are continuing to look for career success, even if they have to look for nontraditional paths. As hiring has cooled over the last few years but the economy and consumer spending have held up, many Americans have turned to entrepreneurship and side hustles. A 2024 Glassdoor-Harris poll found that 39% of employees have a side hustle to supplement their income, rising to 57% for Gen Z and 48% of Millennials.”
