📡 Bitcoin: yes or no?
Pulse #136 — Cryptocurrency is a hot topic again; and I try to learn from the best...
You probably have heard about this thing called Bitcoin — or maybe crypto and blockchain... It’s one of those polarising ideas in the tech/finance world. Some really really believe in it, and some think it’s a fad.
Whether you believe in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies or not, they don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon…
To understand both sides of the discussion, Bari Weiss has two posts on her newsletter from two people I actually really respect making a case for and against crypto — and Bitcoin specifically.
I highly recommend reading
Bitcoin Is Civilization by Balaji S. Srinivasan
The Case Against Bitcoin by Michael W. Green
these really worth your attention btw, that’s why WYA section is quite short this week.
Now, where do you stand in the crypto war? Are you pro or against it?
News
Clubhouse to expand Android app worldwide in a week [link]
New leak ahead of Google I/O claims Android 12 may include changes for widgets and notifications [link]
The latest ransomware victim, Facebook’s latest loss, and Twitter’s polite approach [link]
Crypto market shocks keep coming, Apple’s Epic battle continues, and ransom paid, but… [link]
Elon Musk & Bitcoin, cybersecurity, and a BILLION crypto donation [link]
Xiaomi’s back, YouTube Shorts’ long way to go, and Amazon’s $300m win [link]
Behind the pipeline ransom attack, PS5 shortage, and Facebook’s ethical copying [link]
Clubhouse on Android, ransom attack, and Apple’s favouritism [link]
🦈🤭 a gift for you.
Worth Your Attention
Selling hours by Seth Godin — Does the boss buy your time or your productivity?
again, another thought provoking and relateable post definitely worth reading
Chart of the Week
WhatsApp Rivals See Nearly 1,200% Growth Ahead of Privacy Policy Deadline
In the first four months of 2021, Telegram’s installs climbed 98% YoY to more than 161 million, while Signal saw its first-time downloads surge 1,192% YoY to 64.6 million.
Worldwide installs of WhatsApp’s mobile app declined 43% YoY for the January to April period, although they still outpaced its competitors, reaching approximately 172.3 million.
Telegram and Signal’s Installs Are Normalizing
Telegram and Signal both saw a spike in adoption in January, but their download velocity has since slowed. In January, Telegram reached 63.5 million downloads, up 283% YoY from 16.6 million. Its installs have declined month-over-month since that initial uptick, and its downloads in April saw a slight 3% dip YoY, hitting 26.2 million as compared to nearly 27 million a year earlier.
read more on SensorTower.
& more stats
2021 World Press Freedom Index [link]
Amazon ad-supported video has 120 million viewers a month. [link]
The number of Apple Stores around the world. As of May 2021, there are 271 Apple Stores around the US while China (including Hong Kong and Macau) has the second-highest total with 50. The UK comes third for Apple Stores with 38. [link]
More Gen Zers now use TikTok (37.3 million) than Instagram (33.3 million) in the US [link]
Twitch hits 22 million installs globally in Q1 2021, up 62% YoY [link]
Tools & Apps
Poised: An AI communication coach
PlayScore 2: Sheet Music Scanning App [iOS | Android]
Spotted
Instagram keeps working on audio rooms [link]
Instagram is working on the ability to create posts from the desktop website [link]
Instagram continues to work on the possibility of Live videos scheduling [link] and insights [link]
Instagram is working on the possibility of replying to a comment in a Reel with a video [link]
Instagram keeps working on the “Link” sticker [link]
Instagram continues to work on the “Reshare” sticker [link]
Instagram is working on an option to upload videos in high quality [link]
Instagram is working on a redesigned location page [link]
Instagram keeps working on different styles for the gallery sticker [link]
Twitter is working on Bookmark Collections (aka folders) [link]
Twitter is calling their upcoming Subscription Service “Twitter Blue”, priced at $2.99/month for now, including paid features like Undo Tweets [link]
Twitter is finishing up the new Verification Request form [link]
Spotify is working on onboarding screens for HiFi [link]
LinkedIn is working on Live Audio Rooms [link]
LinkedIn is working on the possibility of creating audio events [link]
🐦 Tweets of the Week
Fun Stuff
Telegram & WhatsApp — on Twitter 👇
and now we’re done for this week
What did you think of this issue? Your feedback matters — more than you think!