The hottest User Experience Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

UX Roundup: Wealth and Happiness | Wealth and AI | ASI and Unemployment

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 13 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Economics User Experience Productivity Wealth
  1. There's a strong link between wealth and happiness. Generally, richer people tend to report being happier, showing that money does matter to a degree.
  2. AI has the potential to significantly boost our living standards over the next couple of decades. Even a doubling of wealth can make a big difference in people's lives.
  3. Superintelligent AI won't make humans obsolete. History shows that when smarter workers enter the workforce, new jobs and opportunities usually arise, benefiting everyone.

#141 Very superstitious

Design Lobster • 619 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🪑 Design Visual Design Product Design User Experience Industrial Design Graphic design
  1. Designers are superstitious about alignment because it signals care and attention to detail in the design process.
  2. Small design choices, like the shape of an iron fish, can have a big impact on user behavior and address practical issues, like iron deficiency.
  3. Designing for human beings is not a formula - the most effective designs often emerge from understanding human behavior, even if it seems irrational.

Forming Habits To Improve Retention

Growth Croissant • 707 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
💼 Business Retention Product Management Health & Wellness Engagement User Experience
  1. Encouraging healthy habits through features like competitions, goal setting, and streaks can improve user retention.
  2. Popular apps like Strava and Headspace use habit-forming features such as challenges and streaks to retain users.
  3. Habit-forming features must be deeply ingrained in the product to have a meaningful impact on user experience and retention.

From Rideshare to Robotaxi: Uber, Waymo, and the Future of Autonomous Vehicles

Gad’s Newsletter • 32 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Autonomous Vehicles Market Dynamics Business Models User Experience
  1. Waymo's self-driving robotaxi offers a smoother experience than traditional ridesharing by eliminating awkward conversations and optimizing routes. This shows how autonomous vehicles can change the ride-hailing game.
  2. The ride-hailing market is shifting as new players like Waymo disrupt established companies like Uber. Despite Uber's strong network effects, low switching costs for users allow them to easily choose between different services.
  3. Different business models are emerging in autonomous vehicle ownership. Companies like Waymo focus on owning fleets for reliability, while Uber relies on independent drivers for flexibility, highlighting the need for partnerships in the evolving market.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

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.

Simplify your product design — borrow familiar patterns

amivora • 9 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Product Design User Experience Software Development Interface Design Tech Innovation
  1. Making product design simple helps users feel comfortable and familiar, just like using everyday items. This means users can start using your product without needing to learn it first.
  2. Using familiar patterns in your design, like placing buttons where users expect them, makes the product easier to navigate. This creates a predictable experience, so users know what to do without guessing.
  3. Borrowing well-known interfaces can help new technologies become popular quickly. When users see something they already understand, they’re more likely to try it out without feeling overwhelmed.

🧠 Knowledge Series #23: Passkeys explained

Department of Product • 314 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Security Product Development User Experience Cybersecurity Authentication
  1. Passkeys are digital keys replacing traditional passwords, enhancing security and creating unique keys for each account and device.
  2. Major companies like Uber, Apple, Google, and Microsoft are actively supporting and implementing passkeys for a passwordless future.
  3. Product teams can implement passkeys by understanding how they work and following a step-by-step guide for integration.

Lumiterra’s Closed Beta Test starts NEXT WEEK!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 73 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Development User Experience Community
  1. Lumiterra's Closed Beta Test starts on November 11th and will last around three weeks. Players can check their access eligibility based on previous participation and certain criteria.
  2. New features include equipment enhancement options, six dungeon difficulty levels, and a team-based PvP event called Escort Slime. These updates aim to offer more ways to earn rewards and enjoy the game.
  3. The onboarding process for new players has improved, with NPCs guiding them through game basics and advanced tasks. This makes it easier for beginners to dive into the world of Lumiterra.

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.

Scaling Zerodha's Reporting System through 7 million PostgreSQL tables

Engineering At Scale • 15 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Databases Architecture Innovation User Experience
  1. Zerodha created an innovative system with 7 million PostgreSQL tables to handle user reporting requests efficiently. This solution tackled issues with slow queries and poor user experiences during busy periods.
  2. They switched from a synchronous to an asynchronous model, allowing users to submit requests and check back later for results. This change improved the overall user experience significantly.
  3. The new architecture involved using a temporary database to handle queries and storing results in many tables. While it works well for now, they might need to consider other solutions if user growth continues rapidly.

Programmatic SEO 🚀

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 17 Aug 24
🕹 Technology SEO Web Development Digital marketing Entrepreneurship User Experience
  1. Creating a list of websites for project submissions can help connect with audiences effectively. It’s important to curate and share valuable resources.
  2. Applying SEO tags is crucial for improving website visibility. It helps attract more visitors once the meta tags are optimized.
  3. Feedback is valuable for improvement. Acting on suggestions can lead to better website design and user experience.

Top 10 UX Articles of 2024

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 27 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🕹 Technology User Experience Artificial Intelligence Design principles Professional development
  1. AI is changing the UX field, making it easier and faster for designers. It's not replacing designers but helping them work better together.
  2. UX leadership is shifting from traditional methods to more hands-on, innovative approaches. This means leaders need to be closely involved with their teams.
  3. It's important for UX professionals to adapt their skills and work closely with business goals. They need to show how their work can help the business make money.

How to Create Your Own Stunning Ebook Effortlessly With Canva

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 539 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
🪑 Design Graphic design Digital Media eBooks Creativity User Experience
  1. You can easily create an eBook without being a graphic design expert. Canva provides user-friendly tools to help you design stunning eBooks.
  2. There are many resources available that guide you through the eBook creation process. This makes it approachable for anyone, even beginners.
  3. Offering free eBooks can be a great way to share your knowledge and connect with others. It’s a good strategy to engage your audience.

Cellar Door

Logos • 19 implied HN points • 13 Aug 24
🕹 Technology AI Development Web Apps Coding Programming User Experience
  1. The project, Cellar Door, aims to find the most beautiful word in English by using a voting system based on people's preferences. It's a fun way to see which words people like the most.
  2. They initially struggled with a word list that included silly terms, but switched to a more reliable source to ensure the app only features valid words. The process of cleaning up the data is ongoing.
  3. The use of AI tools like OpenAI's API has made coding easier and more efficient for developing apps. However, there's still a need for better platforms to help non-technical users create their own apps with less confusion.

What we don't talk about when we talk about quality...

The faintest idea • 319 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🪑 Design User Experience Visual Design Product Design Software Quality Branding
  1. Quality really matters in software because it makes products more valuable and worth paying for. Just like with clothes or furniture, better quality provides a better experience.
  2. Software isn't always compared just by quality since functionality plays a big role too. It's important to fix the small details that make a big difference for users.
  3. People will feel the difference in quality when using software, even if it doesn't show up in simple success metrics. That feeling can influence their choices and how much they are willing to pay.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect: Cognitive Bias or Statistical Artefact?

UX Psychology • 218 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🔬 Science Cognitive Bias Psychology Statistics User Experience Awareness
  1. The Dunning-Kruger effect explains how people with lower ability often overestimate their competence, while highly skilled individuals tend to underestimate their capabilities.
  2. The disconnect between competence and metacompetence judgments is seen not only in psychology but also in areas like aviation, memory, and medical skills. It can impact product development and UX teams by highlighting the challenge of relying on feedback from less competent individuals.
  3. Debate continues on whether the Dunning-Kruger effect is purely a statistical artefact or a psychological phenomenon. Regardless, it prompts the need for critical self-awareness, peer review, and continuous growth to mitigate its impact in fields like UX.

Et tu, Substack?

Disaffected Newsletter • 899 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Social media Digital Platforms User Experience Online Communities Content creation
  1. Substack has introduced a feature called 'Notes' that users cannot turn off. This feels like forced participation to many writers.
  2. Many writers joined Substack to avoid the constant notifications and pressure of social media like Twitter.
  3. The changes to Substack have made some users reconsider their support for the platform and their plans to continue using it.

Artificial Inconvenience

coldhealing • 452 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Social media Monetization User Experience Platform Competition
  1. Twitter implemented restrictions on interaction with posts containing Substack links to compete with Substack Notes.
  2. Platforms strive for dominance and monetization through user retention and restricting links to other platforms.
  3. Despite challenges and artificial inconveniences on social media, users seek diverse platforms for different purposes.

For You

Conspirador Norteño • 44 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Algorithms Data Analysis User Experience Content curation
  1. The 'For You' feed on X shows mostly posts from accounts you don't follow. In fact, more than half of the recommended posts come from these unfamiliar sources.
  2. Elon Musk's posts are the most frequently suggested, even to users who do not follow him. This indicates that trending figures often dominate the recommendation algorithm.
  3. Connections between suggested accounts are mostly based on repost interactions. Most recommended accounts have links to the ones you already follow, showing a network effect.

Rethinking Problem-Solving: From Space Pens to Pencils and Beyond

Wisdom over Waves • 79 implied HN points • 21 May 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Problem Solving Innovation User Experience
  1. Focus on the problem first: Understand the core issue before jumping into solutions. This can lead to more innovative and effective outcomes.
  2. Avoid getting lost in the technical details: Developers should balance focusing on implementation with considering broader business needs and goals.
  3. Collaborate and empathize: Work closely with other teams, seek feedback, and put yourself in the shoes of the end user to improve problem-solving and innovation.

Designing for a single purpose

Product Identity • 118 implied HN points • 07 May 24
🪑 Design Product Design User Experience Branding Software Design Cultural critique
  1. Focusing on one clear purpose can make products stand out and be more appreciated. For example, stores or brands that specialize in a single item often attract loyal customers.
  2. In tech, many products have become complex and cluttered by trying to do too much. This often leads to products losing their original charm and purpose.
  3. Going back to basics and simplifying can bring more joy to experiences, like reading on a Kindle without distractions. It helps us focus on what truly matters.

Good Luck/Bad Luck. Good Design/Bad Design

Sunday Letters • 99 implied HN points • 28 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Engineering User Experience Coding Practices Project management
  1. Software can be easy to create but hard to maintain. It's important for engineers to think about how their choices today will affect the future.
  2. Using simple designs and clear roles in a project can help avoid complicated problems later. Teams should focus on making changes quickly and smartly.
  3. Sometimes, the best solution is to remove unnecessary parts instead of adding more. If something isn't needed right now, it's better to not include it.

Report: Virtual & Augmented Reality Test Drive

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 153 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Virtual reality Augmented reality Product Reviews Tech Trends User Experience
  1. The Apple VisionPro has some cool uses like immersive video and creating a personal space during flights. However, it's not worth the high price for most people.
  2. Facebook's new AR glasses are just a prototype and not available for sale yet. This means they aren’t really ahead of Apple, which could quickly release a practical product when ready.
  3. Users want more efficient apps and features for AR experiences, especially those that work better than iPad apps. There's potential for amazing virtual experiences, but the technology isn't fully there yet.

The Role of Mood in User Experience Design

UX Psychology • 218 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Design User Experience Ethics
  1. Understanding user mood is crucial in user experience design as it influences interactions over time.
  2. Moods can be monitored, expressed, and regulated in UX design to create more personalized and empathetic experiences.
  3. Implementing mood-focused strategies requires considering ethical challenges, personalization opportunities, and continuous testing.

When software stops caring

Sunday Letters • 99 implied HN points • 21 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Software User Experience Enterprise Consumer Productivity
  1. Enterprise software focuses more on the buyer than the user, making user experience less important. It just needs to be usable enough to avoid complaints.
  2. Consumer software prioritizes a great user experience because users can easily switch. This keeps companies on their toes to fix bugs and improve features quickly.
  3. Emerging apps from big tech are stuck in the middle. They need basic functionality but often don’t get the attention they need, leading to worse user experiences over time.

Introducing a new front page for Substack

Substack Blog • 724 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Apps User Experience Innovation Content Feedback
  1. The new Home experience on the Substack app aims to boost growth for writers and offer readers a universe of great writing.
  2. The reading queue in the app helps readers keep up with their favorite subscriptions and never miss new content.
  3. The explore feed and inbox features are designed to enhance discoverability and customization for users within the Substack ecosystem.

Using Psychology to Improve User Onboarding

UX Psychology • 377 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🕹 Technology UX Design Psychology User Experience Decision-making
  1. Leverage psychology in user onboarding to create informative, enjoyable, and memorable experiences.
  2. Utilize the Zeigarnik effect by using progress meters, reminders, and allowing partial profile completion to keep users engaged.
  3. Decrease complexity with Hicks' law by reducing choices, highlighting easy options, and using progressive onboarding to improve decision-making and enhance user experience.

Crafting something beautiful ♥️

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Product Design User Experience Entrepreneurship Programming
  1. Improving customer access made it easier for users to start using LaunchFast. Instead of multiple steps, they can now just run one command.
  2. A conversation with Neeraj from BigBinary led to important changes in pricing and marketing strategy for LaunchFast. These adjustments should help clarify its value and appeal more to potential users.
  3. Learning about deploying an NPM package simplified the process of launching LaunchFast. This helped create an efficient script that sets everything up quickly.

Why Bluesky feels right

GOOD INTERNET • 40 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Innovation User Experience Networking Digital Culture
  1. Bluesky is gaining popularity as an alternative to Twitter because it feels more lively and engaging. Users like that it focuses on good content rather than just sensational posts.
  2. One cool feature of Bluesky is 'Starter Packs,' which let you follow curated lists of users based on interests. This helps people find new accounts to follow easily.
  3. Bluesky encourages sharing links and connections with other sites. This approach contrasts with many social media platforms that limit external links, promoting a more open and collaborative online experience.

Improving the product

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 31 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Product Development Web Development User Experience Software Engineering
  1. Getting user feedback is really important. Talking to customers helps understand their needs, especially beginners in tech.
  2. Watching a seasoned developer use the product can reveal issues and areas for improvement. It's a great way to learn about friction points.
  3. Making things easier for users is key. Simplifying processes and providing good documentation can really help users get started faster and reduce confusion.

TinyStories

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 39 implied HN points • 26 Jun 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Natural Language Data science User Experience
  1. Phi-3 is a small language model that uses a special dataset called TinyStories. This dataset was designed to help the model create more varied and engaging stories.
  2. TinyStories uses simple vocabulary suitable for young children, focusing on quality over quantity. The stories generated are meant to be both understandable and entertaining.
  3. Training the Phi-3 model with TinyStories can be done quickly and allows for easier fine-tuning. This helps smaller organizations use advanced language models without needing huge resources.