ICYMI Vikram Chandra, the author of Sacred Games, created Granthika to keep track of complex narratives. It could change the future of storytelling. #publishing #innovation

ICYMI AWS launched Amazon Honeycode, a new, fully managed low-code/no-code development tool that aims to make it easy for anybody in a company to build their own applications. All of this, of course, is backed by a database in AWS and a web-based, drag-and-drop interface builder.

During Alexa Live, a virtual event for Alexa vendors and developer partners, Amazon unveiled tools designed to enable new Alexa voice experiences.

Amazon expands tests for its Scout delivery robot to Atlanta and Franklin, Tennessee.

RT @RickKing16 Pixar’s machine learning concept called “deep learned super resolution” relies on generative adversarial networks to streamline rendering.

Cornell’s SciFi Lab has revealed a wristband that uses thermal cameras and a deep neural network to determine the wearer’s hand and finger poses in 3D.

HT @therlabnyc As the Spatial Web/Web 3.0 unfolds, forward-thinking leaders should understand how the next era in computing can transform businesses and create new value.

Spotify is officially launching video podcast support in all markets that support podcasting on the platform. The company is only making video available for select shows, so not all creators can upload footage.

Instagram is testing personal fundraisers on its platform starting in the US, UK, and Ireland. This means people can raise money for their own use directly from their profile.

Facebook’s messaging app is adding new privacy controls. Initially, this will include App Lock for iOS, which allows users to lock access to their private chats by way of the device’s built-in security mechanisms, including Touch ID and Face ID.

Amazon’s investment in electric truck maker Rivian accelerates e-commerce giant’s path to zero-emissions logistics dominance, while altering the balance of power in the electric vehicle marketplace.

RT @newsycombinator

This does not seem like a good idea bc pandemic – seeing a maskless crowd.

RT @DiverseRep We provide a database of Black agents, managers, attorneys and publicists

The Global Licensing Group has canceled the live version of its London-based Brand Licensing Europe trade show, scheduled for October. Instead, it is launching a global, month-long, virtual Festival of Licensing from October 6-29.

How has the turbulence of 2020 changed your reading habits? OverDrive chimes in with how current events have impacted their reading lists.

Cosmo Unlocked launched earlier this month, offering readers unlimited digital access for $2 a month.

Adding some 1,000 titles to its catalogue, the Planeta books bring Scribd’s Spanish-language offer to more than 85,000 titles.

RT @Tech4Pub

RT @mediagazer

RT @DCNorg After a short, sharp drop, podcast downloads have leapt back up to their pre-covid levels, and advertisers keep coming in.

TikTok is launching a major creators fund to help its personalities make a living while creating videos for the platform. It’s a different monetization strategy than YouTube has for its creators.

Amazon’s grocery-scanning shopping assistant will no longer be supported.

Spotify creative director Oriel Davis-Lyons and The One Club start a portfolio program.

RT @beth_phelan [margins.]: August 1-2, a virtual conference where writers from the margins gather ourselves together to support the growth and development of healthy careers and writing communities. Join @wordisdiversityhttps://thewordfordiversity.org/margins

RT @nationalbook The 20th annual @librarycongress National Book Festival will be held online September 25-27, featuring many familiar #NBAwards faces including @colsonwhitehead, @geneluenyang, @KaliMaFajaand many more

Streaming: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 @ 11:00am EDT From disinformation and privacy to health side effects and anti-trust concerns, the social media giants face big questions ahead. How can we understand this emerging, shadowy industry in an election year? And what is the right role for government in solving these problems? What are the priorities and outlook for change in the US and abroad? Moderator: Sarah Kopit, Social Media Czar and Global Managing Editor at Bloomberg Speakers: Renée DiResta, Technical Research Manager at Stanford Internet Observatory, Jonathan Corpus Ong, Associate Professor of Global Digital Media at UMass Amherst, and Craig Newmark, Founder of craigslist & Craig Newmark Philanthropies

HT @bmetrock Awesome initiative from @GoogleAI and @CdnDownSyndrome to collect voice samples from the adult Down syndrome community to improve speech recognition for everyone. #voice #inclusion

RT @MovingImageNYC We’re thrilled to announce the Queens Drive-In, presented in partnership w/ @RooftopFilms and @nysci. It opens this August in the heart of the borough at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Be the first to learn about upcoming shows and tickets by signing up at https://queensdrivein.com.

RT @FastCompany You’re probably out of craft ideas by now. Introduce your kids to engineering for free.

Questions? Sign up for the info session on July 27th, 12:30pm ET. Apply by August 16, 2020. RT @NYUEntrepreneur How can we make transit safer, healthier and more responsive amid the COVID-19 pandemic? Have an idea? This opportunity may be for you!