The hottest User Experience Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Character.AI: So This is How AI Will Kill Us

Heir to the Thought • 219 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Mental health User Experience
  1. AI products like Character.AI can create harmful attachments for users, sometimes leading to tragic outcomes, like the case of a young user who became obsessed and ultimately took his life.
  2. The rise of AI may lead to increased loneliness and addiction as people prefer interacting with bots over real-life connections, which can result in negative mental health effects.
  3. It's important to consider the real-world impacts of technology and prioritize creating helpful solutions rather than just exciting ones, to prevent future harm.

The Substack Email Settings Edition

Why is this interesting? • 8385 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Social media Digital marketing App Development User Experience Subscription services
  1. Check your email settings in Substack if you're not receiving newsletters. Sometimes the settings can change without you realizing it.
  2. Substack's 'smart notifications' can lead to confusion and missed emails. It can send app notifications but not the actual emails from writers.
  3. If you experience issues with Substack emails, switching the notification settings to 'Only in email' can help you start receiving them again.

The story of Sublime's logo

The Sublime Newsletter • 534 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🪑 Design Graphic design Branding User Experience Creative Process
  1. Logos represent more than their appearance. They carry deeper meanings that connect with feelings and ideas, like innovation or nostalgia.
  2. Choosing a designer that breaks the mold can lead to unique and creative outcomes. Sometimes the riskier choice is to step outside the norm.
  3. The journey of creating something, like a logo, is just as important as the final product. It's about collaboration, sharing ideas, and making something beautiful together.

The hard thing about building AI applications

Generating Conversation • 140 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Product Design User Experience
  1. Good AI should figure things out for you before you even ask. It should make your life easier by anticipating what you need without requiring a lot of input.
  2. Trust is key for AI systems. They should be honest about what they don't know and explain their level of confidence. This helps users rely on them more.
  3. AI should take complex information and boil it down to what's important and easy to understand. It should help you find insights quickly without overwhelming you with details.

When Algorithms Come to Your Neighborhood

The Honest Broker • 7513 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Social media Algorithms Online Platforms User Experience
  1. Nextdoor can be useful for getting local alerts, especially in emergencies. However, it might not always provide timely information when you need it.
  2. Many users ignore alerts from apps like Nextdoor because they often send old or irrelevant notifications. This can create a false sense of security and put people at risk.
  3. It's important to question whether the information we receive from neighborhood platforms is reliable. If we learn to overlook their messages, we could miss crucial updates.
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UI is hell: four-function calculators

lcamtuf’s thing • 8570 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Interface Design User Experience History
  1. Basic calculators seem simple, but designing their interface is really tricky. Many small rules affect how they operate.
  2. Users often expect calculators to follow straightforward rules, but calculators can behave unexpectedly based on their design. This can lead to confusion when doing simple calculations.
  3. Calculator design has evolved over time, but some quirks and confusing features remain. Understanding these can help users use them more effectively.

Make your social apps pop with LinkPresentation

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 874 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Apps Development User Experience Design
  1. You can easily improve your social apps by adding better link previews. This makes sharing more visually appealing and user-friendly.
  2. Building support for hyperlink features in your app can be quick and simple. Many times, you can get it done during a lunch break.
  3. If you're in a fast-paced environment, it's often easier to create a proof of concept and refine it later. Don't be afraid to just jump in and start making changes.

Hello, Apple Intelligence (Or Just Grammarly with a Few Extra AI Features)

Artificial Corner • 158 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Tools Software User Experience Product Review
  1. Apple Intelligence features are mostly focused on writing tools and photo editing, but many expected more advanced AI capabilities. Users may find it similar to Grammarly rather than a fully developed AI assistant.
  2. The new updates for Siri are not as transformative as anticipated. Many promised features are still missing, making it feel like users are getting a version of the old Siri rather than a revamped one.
  3. Some standout features include writing tools for proofreading and summarization, smart replies for emails and messages, and a cleanup option for photos, which enhance user experience but may not be enough for those looking for advanced AI functions.

RIP Skype

The PhilaVerse • 123 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Communication Software Platforms User Experience Data Management
  1. Microsoft is shutting down Skype on May 5, 2025, after more than two decades of service. They are focusing on Teams now for communication.
  2. Users have 10 weeks to move their data from Skype to Teams or export their information. After that, user data will be kept until the end of 2025 before it is deleted.
  3. Skype had a big drop in users, going from 300 million at its peak to only 36 million daily users by 2023, which is why Microsoft made this decision.

BabyTime: A Video Calling App for Babies

offscript • 104 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Apps Family Development Communication User Experience
  1. The app is designed for babies to call family members using photos, making it easy for them to connect without needing to read.
  2. A friend's three-year-old enjoys using the app so much that he started prank calling family, showing how kids can adapt to tech.
  3. Building the app was a fun project that took just one day, and it encourages others to create simple apps for their own families.

You can’t build a moat with AI (redux)

Generating Conversation • 256 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Applications Data User Experience
  1. Using AI like LLMs isn't unique anymore. Just having AI in your product doesn't really set it apart from competitors.
  2. To really stand out, focus on making a great user experience and integrating your product into how users already work. This makes your tool more valuable and hard to replace.
  3. Data is crucial for AI. It's not just about having lots of data; it's about using it smartly over time to improve your product and understand your users better.

The Rust Mirage

Erik Explores • 184 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Programming Languages User Experience
  1. Adding too many features can make software complicated and hard to use, especially for new users. Keeping things simple helps everyone feel more comfortable with the software.
  2. Languages like Rust and Swift focus on making things safe, but this can lead to unnecessary complexity. It's often better to prioritize simplicity to help developers and users alike.
  3. Languages that prioritize simplicity, like Go and Zig, can be more manageable and user-friendly. Creating a balance between safety and simplicity is key to successful software development.

Hello AI Agents: Goodbye UI Design, RIP Accessibility

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 180 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI agents User Experience Web Design Automation Accessibility
  1. AI agents will change how we interact with the internet by doing tasks for us, making traditional user interfaces less important. Instead of users browsing websites, agents will handle everything, like shopping or booking trips.
  2. Accessibility might become less relevant as AI agents can adapt content for the individual needs of users with disabilities. These agents will tailor their actions and communication according to what each user prefers or requires.
  3. As AI agents become more capable, the way content is designed will shift. Websites may need to focus more on how agents can access and analyze information rather than on making things visually appealing for human users.

Algorithmic ranking is unfairly maligned

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 1156 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Algorithms Social media Digital Culture User Experience Data Ethics
  1. Not all algorithmic ranking is bad. Some algorithms can be useful if they align with what you want to see and achieve.
  2. A lot of current algorithms are designed to keep you engaged and make money for the companies, not necessarily to help you find what you like.
  3. We need better control over these algorithms to ensure they serve our interests, possibly through new technology or structures that prevent companies from taking that control away.

Correct vs Good

General Robots • 383 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Product Development Software Engineering Robotics User Experience Value Creation
  1. Being correct means having a product that works as intended—it's stable, bug-free, and meets specifications. However, it can be very costly to reach near-perfect correctness.
  2. Being good is about providing value and meeting customer needs. There's no limit to how good a product can become, and making something better is always beneficial.
  3. To improve a product, it's essential to iterate quickly based on real customer feedback. This helps in learning what features work best and keeps development moving efficiently.

Tidy First Example

Software Design: Tidy First? • 463 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Programming Development User Experience Agile Methodology
  1. It's important to make hard changes easier before tackling them. This means breaking down tough tasks into simpler steps.
  2. Many people want to make the easy changes they envision, but they often overlook the complexity involved.
  3. Always pay attention to examples in learning; they can provide valuable insights that you might miss if you skim over them.

Is Social Media Becoming 'Hollow Media'?

In Bed With Social • 277 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Social media Artificial Intelligence User Experience Digital Culture Community Engagement
  1. Social media is increasingly becoming artificial, with bots and AI taking over real human interactions. These digital companions might seem helpful but they are not real friends.
  2. The rise of AI and superficial connections is causing loneliness, as people miss out on genuine interactions. Meaningful relationships require vulnerability and real dialogue, which AI can't provide.
  3. Some new platforms are showing that authentic connections can still exist. Apps focused on shared hobbies or interests are creating real communities, reminding us that human experiences are vital to social networks.

Jesse Singal: Bluesky Has a Death Threat Problem

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2480 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Social media Online safety Technology Regulation User Experience Digital Communication
  1. Bluesky was thought to be a friendlier alternative to X, but it actually has a lot of hostile behavior and threats. Many users feel unsafe there.
  2. There has been a huge spike in reports of violence and threats on Bluesky, especially after it gained a lot of new users. Moderation seems to be ineffective in handling these issues.
  3. The culture of Bluesky is not as welcoming as many expected, and the site has serious problems with managing violent content and doxxing. Users need to be cautious when joining.

Sundry complaints

Disaffected Newsletter • 1518 implied HN points • 14 Aug 24
🕹 Technology User Experience Interface Design Digital Literacy Social Trends Communication
  1. User interfaces have become harder to understand. Instead of getting better, they are now filled with confusing icons without clear labels.
  2. Each company has its own symbols, making it tough for users to know what actions to take. There's no common language for things like saving or moving to the next step.
  3. People are using softer words for tough topics, avoiding direct terms like 'money.' This change makes conversations about real issues less clear.

The Trenderprise

benn.substack • 818 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Marketing User Experience Trends
  1. Many people dislike using software like Jira because it's complicated and not user-friendly. But ironically, it keeps being bought because management, not the users, are the ones making the decisions.
  2. The market has shifted towards buying software that meets the needs of users rather than IT departments. Companies like Asana market directly to users, making their products popular among teams.
  3. Today, product popularity can be influenced more by trends and social media than by quality. People are more likely to buy something because it's seen as cool or trendy, not just because it works well.

Defining The Great Uncoupling™

The Rectangle • 56 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Devices Optimization Digital Life User Experience
  1. The goal is to stop letting my phone control my life and find a better balance with technology. It's tough to do this, but I'm determined to make a change.
  2. I plan to use an Apple Watch for most basic tasks like communication and payments, which will help reduce my phone usage. This way, I can enjoy the useful features of a watch without getting distracted by apps.
  3. I also want a simple device, like the Boox Palma 2, that lets me do essential things without the risk of endless scrolling. This will help me stay focused and less reliant on my phone.

A Vision of the Future

The Fry Corner • 11030 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Gadgets AR/VR User Experience Innovation
  1. Apple's Vision Pro headset is seen as a major product, similar to the iPhone's impact when it launched. It combines VR and AR features, allowing users to interact with both digital and real-world elements effectively.
  2. Users experience high-quality visuals and intuitive controls, making it easy to navigate and use apps. It's designed to be comfortable, adjustable, and user-friendly, which may change how we use technology in everyday life.
  3. There are still challenges in content availability and comfort with social interactions while using the headset. However, many believe that as developers create new apps, the technology will evolve and become more integral to our lives.

The Product Development Triathlon

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1436 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Product Design Innovation Project management User Experience
  1. Product development happens in three main phases: Explore, Expand, and Extract. Each part has its own challenges and ways to tackle them.
  2. You need different skills and tools for each phase. Trying to use expansion tools in exploration will slow you down.
  3. It's important to notice when you're transitioning between phases. Adapting quickly helps keep the project on track.

Well, TikTok's Gone

Default Wisdom • 366 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Social media Internet culture Digital Trends User Experience Information Technology
  1. Many people feel a deep emotional loss now that TikTok is gone. It wasn’t just a time-waster; it was a community where they connected with friends.
  2. TikTok's ability to make ideas stick in people's minds is powerful, which is why some lawmakers were concerned about its influence. They worried it could be used for spreading certain messages too easily.
  3. Some folks are now looking at China differently and even romanticizing life there. This shift seems to stem from frustrations with their own lives and technology in America.

Intentions & Actions

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1082 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Design User Interface Machine Learning Programming User Experience
  1. People often come to computers with intentions, like wanting to watch a show or add a stop to a trip. But the actions needed to achieve those intentions can be confusing and hard to remember.
  2. When the computer does what we want easily, we feel amazed and grateful. But this happens less often because of complicated menus and actions we have to figure out.
  3. Kids find it easier to use technology because they learn quickly from their friends and practice a lot. They navigate digital worlds more smoothly, while others often struggle with the basics.

One feed to rule them all

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3045 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Social media Apps Digital Trends User Experience Content curation
  1. Tapestry is a new app that combines multiple social media feeds into a single view, making it easier to keep track of updates. Users like that it is chronological and ad-free, offering a smooth browsing experience.
  2. There are other timeline apps besides Tapestry, like Reeder and Unread, which aim to help users organize their online content better. These apps reflect a shift from traditional RSS readers to modern feed solutions.
  3. The challenge with timeline apps is making them user-friendly for a variety of content types, such as videos and podcasts, while also allowing interaction like liking or commenting on posts.

How Substack's follow feature betrays its original mission

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 7643 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Social media Content creation Digital marketing User Experience
  1. The follow feature on Substack helps creators gain visibility but makes them lose ownership of their audience. This is a shift from Substack's original purpose of allowing creators to connect directly with their subscribers.
  2. Writers are now juggling between growing their follower counts and keeping their newsletter subscriptions growing. This split can make them feel pressured to create even more content, complicating their strategies.
  3. Substack's follow feature could confuse users, as some may think they are subscribed when they're only following. Educating users on this difference could help creators maintain stronger connections with their audience.

Personal Site Refresh

Software Design: Tidy First? • 176 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Web Development User Experience Digital Media Tech Trends
  1. Trying to manage many interests can be tricky, but it's important to embrace all parts of yourself. It helps to answer questions like 'What are you up to?' more honestly.
  2. A personal website can serve as a great way to showcase your thoughts and projects. It's like a digital home where you can share what you're passionate about.
  3. Adding new topics to your website can keep it fresh and engaging. It's a way to express your evolving interests and ideas.

Tech companies are clamoring to re-buttonize their products

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3732 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🕹 Technology User Interface Product Design Consumer Electronics User Experience Tech Trends
  1. Tech companies are bringing back physical buttons in their products. After years of relying on touch screens, people are realizing that buttons are often easier and more reliable to use.
  2. Touch screens can crash and are not as user-friendly when you can't look at them, making things difficult in situations like cooking or driving. Buttons allow for more control without having to focus on a screen.
  3. The desire for buttons indicates a shift in how people want to interact with technology. There’s a growing appreciation for the tactile experience and simplicity that buttons provide.

Claude Sonnet 3.7 Compared with Previous AI Models

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 13 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI User Experience Web Design Usability Software Development
  1. The new AI model, Claude Sonnet 3.7, performs better than previous versions and outperforms other models, like Grok 3, in explaining key concepts like Jakob's Law.
  2. Jakob's Law highlights that users form their expectations based on their experiences with other websites. This means that following common design patterns is crucial for creating a user-friendly experience.
  3. Interactive demos created by AI can help users see how standard and non-standard designs affect usability, making it easier to understand the importance of sticking to familiar web conventions.

13 Super Useful Chrome Plugins for Front-End Developers

JavaScript Development Substack • 46 HN points • 22 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Web Development Software Tools Productivity User Experience Digital Design
  1. Chrome extensions can make front-end development easier and faster. They help with tasks like inspecting CSS, testing forms, and analyzing website technologies.
  2. Tools like CSS Peeper and Fake Filler let developers quickly see styles and fill forms automatically. This saves time and simplifies the testing process.
  3. Extensions like Wave Evaluation Tool and Ahrefs SEO Toolbar help improve website accessibility and SEO. They offer insights that can help boost a site's performance.

One month of using Devin

Generating Conversation • 163 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Tools Software Engineering Product Reviews User Experience Tech Innovation
  1. Devin is good for fixing small, specific coding tasks quickly, saving time for developers. It works best when given straightforward instructions on simple issues.
  2. However, Devin struggles with more complex tasks that require understanding and linking multiple components together. In those cases, it can produce confusing or unusable results.
  3. Although Devin shows promise in AI-assisted programming, it's still not at the level of a junior software engineer. There's definitely room for improvement as the technology develops.

Let me use my local LMs on Meta Ray-Bans

Democratizing Automation • 134 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Innovation Product Development User Experience
  1. New AI devices like Meta Ray-Bans are becoming popular, changing our expectations for technology. They make tasks easier and more fun, but they need to improve to stay relevant.
  2. Local language models are important for privacy and speed. They should be used for specific, efficient tasks rather than trying to be general-purpose models.
  3. Creating an open platform where developers can integrate their own AI models would enhance innovation and make devices like Ray-Bans more useful. Allowing customization could lead to a more exciting future for technology.

Agents, Agents, Agents

Teaching computers how to talk • 178 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Business User Experience
  1. In 2025, AI agents are expected to become very popular, but there's skepticism about their real capabilities. Many companies are making bold claims, but it's important to see if the technology can truly deliver.
  2. The term 'AI agent' is being used a lot nowadays, but many so-called agents are just chatbots with limited functions. True AI agents should work independently and be able to interact meaningfully with their environment.
  3. Understanding user needs is crucial when integrating AI solutions. Companies should focus on solving real problems instead of simply adopting trendy technologies without considering their usefulness.

Elegant Solutions

David Friedman’s Substack • 404 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🪑 Design Product Design Industrial Design User Experience Graphic design Systems Design
  1. Using both words and numbers when writing a check helps reduce mistakes, making it much harder to misread the amount. It's a clever way to prevent errors and fraud.
  2. The design of everyday items, like rubber spatulas and manhole covers, often has simple solutions to practical problems. These designs make them more useful in various situations.
  3. When faced with a decision or a problem, looking for the simplest and most practical solution is key. Sometimes, the best way to find a solution is to observe how things are naturally done.

Navigating the AI Jungle - Chat Bots

Erik Explores • 61 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Tools User Experience Applications Machine Learning
  1. There are many AI tools available, and it can be confusing to choose the right one. It's helpful to rely on personal experiences to see which tools work well.
  2. OpenAI's ChatGPT is popular for its good interface and features, like voice chat, which makes learning interactive and fun.
  3. DeepSeek allows for using AI models directly on your computer, giving flexibility, but it's important to choose the right model for your specific task.

Passkeys, Phishing-Resistant MFA, and the Passwordless Revolution

Identity Revive • 38 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Authentication User Experience Software Integration
  1. Passkeys use a public-private key system for logging in. This makes them safer than passwords because the private key never leaves your device, reducing the risk of hacking.
  2. Passkeys can sync across devices or stay on one device, offering flexibility for users. This means you can log in from different devices easily without needing to remember passwords.
  3. Major companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft support passkeys, making them easy to use on different platforms. This helps create a passwordless future that's more secure and user-friendly.

The Dumbification of our smart screens

Product Identity • 753 implied HN points • 03 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Smartphones Digital Culture AI User Experience Screen Time
  1. Smartphones were supposed to make our lives easier, but now they often feel overwhelming and unhelpful. Many people want to focus on simpler uses for their devices instead of getting caught up in unnecessary features.
  2. There's a trend of 'dumbification' where people are choosing less complicated devices and apps to reduce distractions. Instead of seeking out the latest tech, people want tools that help them focus and connect better.
  3. This movement might not be mainstream yet, but it's growing. Many are looking for ways to minimize their screen time and simplify their digital lives to find more balance.