10 posts
meta WhatsApp has adopted and rolled out a new layer of security for users – built with Rust – as part of its effort to harden defenses against malware threats. WhatsApp’s experience creating and distributing our media consistency library in Rust to billions of devices and browsers p…
discord Discord has introduced Discord Orbs, a new virtual currency earned by completing specific Quests across both desktop and mobile platforms. These Orbs serve as a reward mechanism that allows users to accumulate a balance through platform engagement and redeem it for various digital goods. By integrating these rewards directly into the Discord Shop, the platform provides a clear path for users to earn premium features through active participation. ### Earning Discord Orbs * Users can acquire Orbs by participating in and successfully finishing designated Quests found on the platform’s Quest page. * The currency is available to users on both the desktop client and mobile applications. * The availability of Orb-earning opportunities varies based on the specific Quests currently active in a user’s region or account. ### Redemption and Shop Integration * Earned Orbs are stored in a "spherical stash" and can be spent exclusively within the Discord Shop. * Rewards include Orb-themed profile items and cosmetic decorations to customize user presence. * A notable high-value redemption option is the 3-Day Nitro credit, allowing users to access premium features for a limited time. * The currency can also be applied toward many existing favorite items already available in the standard Shop rotation. To begin collecting this new currency, users should navigate to their Quests page to identify which active challenges currently offer Orbs as a reward. This system offers a practical way for non-subscribers to test Nitro features or collect profile cosmetics through gameplay and platform activity.
discord Discord's application ecosystem integrates interactive features and full-screen "Activities" directly into the platform to enhance user engagement through games, utility tools, and collaboration. These experiences are designed for cross-platform accessibility, functioning seamlessly on both desktop and mobile devices. By providing a centralized framework for discovery and deployment, Discord aims to streamline how users and developers interact with third-party software within their communities. ### Discord Apps and Full-Screen Activities * Applications range from text-based utility bots and games to immersive, full-screen "Activities" that occupy the entire interface. * Activities support a variety of use cases, including casual and competitive gaming, shared music listening, and collaborative productivity tools. * The system is optimized for parity across mobile and desktop environments, ensuring users can participate in experiences regardless of their hardware. ### Discovery and Deployment * The platform facilitates the discovery of new tools through integrated menus, allowing users to find apps tailored to specific server needs. * Discord addresses common friction points by clarifying the installation process, specifically whether an application or Activity must be added to a server before it can be used. * A dedicated development pathway exists for creators interested in building and hosting their own applications within the Discord infrastructure. To get the most out of your community space, explore the integrated App Directory to identify tools that enhance your server's specific workflows or entertainment options. If you are interested in expanding the platform's capabilities, the Discord Developer documentation provides the necessary framework to begin building custom interactive experiences.
discord Discord's "Patch Notes" series serves as a transparent log for tracking ongoing enhancements to the platform’s performance, reliability, and overall user experience. By consolidating updates on bug fixes and responsiveness, the engineering team aims to provide users with clear visibility into the platform's evolution. This communication strategy bridges the gap between internal engineering efforts and the end-user experience. ### Platform Maintenance and Optimization * The series focuses on five core engineering pillars: performance, reliability, responsiveness, usability, and stability. * Development updates prioritize "bug-squishing" to refine the application's daily performance and resolve technical debt. * All documented fixes undergo a centralized commit and merge process before being officially merged into the production codebase. ### Community Integration and Deployment * Discord utilizes the community-managed r/DiscordApp subreddit to facilitate bug reporting through dedicated bimonthly megathreads. * The engineering team actively monitors these community threads to bridge the gap between user discovery and technical resolution. * The deployment process follows a staggered rollout, meaning merged fixes may appear on individual platforms at different times depending on the update cycle. Users encountering persistent issues should engage with the bimonthly megathreads on Reddit to ensure engineering visibility, while keeping in mind that platform-specific updates may take time to propagate fully across all devices.
discord Discord is transforming its platform from a simple communication tool into a comprehensive entertainment hub by integrating interactive apps directly into various chat environments. This expansion allows users to engage in gaming, music, and creative activities seamlessly across desktop and mobile devices during natural downtime. By providing instant access to these tools, Discord ensures that users remain engaged within the ecosystem even while waiting for friends to join a session. ### Cross-Platform Accessibility * Apps are integrated directly into the interface, accessible via a single click within voice calls, text channels, servers, and direct messages. * The system maintains full feature parity and synchronization across both desktop and mobile platforms. * The architecture allows for seamless transitions between solo play and group collaboration without leaving the active conversation. ### Diverse Content Ecosystem * **Gaming:** Social titles like *Farm Merge Valley* allow users to manage virtual tasks and interact with friends in real-time. * **Multimedia:** The *Rythm* app enables synchronized music playback, allowing groups to curate shared playlists and "pre-hype" before gaming sessions. * **AI and Creativity:** Creative tools such as *Viggle* provide integrated video generation and character animation capabilities directly within the chat window. Users should explore the App Launcher during their next period of downtime to discover new ways to bridge the gap between gaming sessions and maintain social momentum. Whether through casual gaming or collaborative media sharing, these integrations turn the waiting experience into an active part of the Discord social flow.
discord Discord is formalizing its communication regarding platform improvements through a new series titled "Patch Notes." This initiative aims to provide transparency into the engineering team's work on performance, reliability, and responsiveness while addressing community-reported issues. By centralizing these updates, the team ensures that users stay informed about the ongoing evolution of the app’s stability and usability. ### Core Pillars of Platform Maintenance * The update series focuses on five primary engineering domains: performance, reliability, responsiveness, usability, and general bug fixes. * "Bug-squishing" efforts are prioritized to resolve friction points that impact the daily user experience. * The goal is to provide a consistent audit of changes that contribute to a more polished and reliable communication environment. ### Community-Driven Bug Reporting * Discord utilizes the community-managed r/DiscordApp subreddit as a primary intake channel for user feedback. * A "Bimonthly Bug Megathread" serves as the official touchpoint for users to report persistent or newly discovered glitches. * The Engineering team actively monitors these threads to bridge the gap between user experience and technical resolution. ### Version Control and Deployment Strategy * Every fix highlighted in the notes has already undergone the commit and merge process within the development pipeline. * While fixes are merged into the codebase, deployment follows a staggered rollout schedule across various platforms (desktop, mobile, and web). * Users may experience a slight delay between the announcement of a fix and its availability on their specific device. To ensure the platform continues to improve, users should regularly check the community subreddit to report issues, as these reports directly inform the Engineering team's prioritization of future patches.
discord Discord is prioritizing platform accessibility by enhancing its keyboard navigation features to ensure a seamless experience regardless of a user's chosen input device. This initiative allows users to traverse the entire interface—from switching conversations to accessing specific tools—without ever needing a mouse or trackpad. By focusing on these tactile shortcuts, the platform aims to streamline the workflow for power users and those relying on assistive technology. ### Multi-Platform Accessibility Through Keyboard Inputs * Discord’s navigation system is designed to function across various platforms, ensuring that the experience remains consistent regardless of hardware. * The feature set eliminates the dependency on external peripherals like mice or trackpads, making the app fully functional via keyboard alone. * The system is optimized for speed, allowing users to "breeze through" high-volume conversations and complex server structures efficiently. ### Keyboard-First Workflow Integration * Keyboard navigation serves as a primary input method for users who prefer or require a hands-on-keys approach to digital communication. * The interface supports specific "tricks" and shortcuts that grant direct access to different features without navigating visual menus. * The navigation logic is built to handle deep application traversal, moving beyond simple typing to full-scale app management and discovery. Users looking to optimize their speed or reduce reliance on peripheral devices should explore Discord's dedicated keybinding menus. Adopting these shortcuts can significantly decrease the time spent switching between various social contexts and server environments within the application.
figma How Crunchyroll clarified confusing workflows with Dev Mode Working Well Design systems Design UI/UX Plugins & tooling Quality & performance Profiles & interviews Collaboration Engineering Dev Mode The anime streaming service supports 15 platforms, from the web browser to game c…
figma How Razorpay sharpened developer workflows Razorpay’s design systems team developed Blade to keep user experiences consistent and intuitive while supporting multiple products across platforms. Working Well Design systems
discord Discord is set to expand its rewarded advertising ecosystem to mobile devices with the pilot launch of Video Quests on Mobile in June 2025. This strategic evolution aims to connect advertisers with Discord’s 200 million monthly active users across platforms, leveraging a full-screen, opt-in format designed specifically for brand awareness. By transitioning these advertising tools to mobile, Discord provides a performance-driven channel for partners to engage a highly active community through high-quality video content and incentivized rewards. ### Mobile Integration and the 2025 Pilot * The initial pilot program for Video Quests on Mobile is scheduled to begin in June 2025. * The format utilizes a full-screen, premium user interface tailored for mobile consumption while maintaining Discord’s commitment to opt-in, non-intrusive advertising. * This expansion marks Discord’s first mobile-specific ad offering, targeting a cross-platform audience that spans PC, mobile, and native console integrations. ### Evolution of the Quests Framework * Discord currently offers two primary rewarded formats: Video Quests for awareness (trailers and announcements) and Play Quests for engagement (requiring users to play or stream a game). * The platform has shifted from a gaming-exclusive focus to a broader Media and Entertainment strategy, catering to diverse brand partners including streaming services and movie studios. * Play Quests generate authentic connections by rewarding players with exclusive in-game items for meeting specific gameplay or streaming milestones. ### Proven Campaign Performance and Metrics * **miHoYo (Genshin Impact):** Utilizing high-value in-game rewards through Play Quests, the developer saw an 80% increase in playtime during the campaign week. * **Max (Dune: Prophecy):** The first-ever Video Quest featured a long-form trailer (2:38) that achieved a significantly high completion rate of 85%. * **Nexon Games (The First Descendant):** A Video Quest campaign generated over 1 million completions, with 10% of that engagement occurring organically through peer-to-peer sharing. ### Strategic Outlook for Advertisers Brands and developers looking to capitalize on this expansion should consider participating in the June pilot to secure early access to the mobile player community. This format is particularly recommended for titles launching new updates, downloadable content (DLC), or major media premieres where high-impact video awareness is a primary objective.