Agriculture
Grains See Small Gains as December WASDE Approaches
2024-12-10
Starting the day, March corn shows a choppy trend, constantly bouncing between unchanged, up by less than a penny, and down by less than a penny. This morning, January soybeans have witnessed a significant increase of 5¢. As the trading session begins, March KC and Minneapolis wheat were trading in a similar manner to corn. However, now all three March contracts have moved into the green zone but with an increase of less than 2¢. CBOT wheat is up by 1¾¢, KC wheat is up by 1½¢, and Minneapolis wheat is up by 1¼¢. At 11 a.m. CT today, the highly anticipated December World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report is expected from the USDA. Naomi Blohm, the senior market advisor at Total Farm Marketing, believes that this report is likely to be beneficial for corn and have a neutral impact on soybeans and wheat. To gain more insights, read what Grain Market Insider analyst Scott Masters has to say about what farmers should know before today's report here. In the livestock market, February live cattle have seen a rise of 30¢ this morning. January feeder cattle have increased by 78¢, and February lean hogs are up by 68¢. In the energy sector, January crude oil is up by 7¢. Regarding the currency market, the U.S. Dollar Index December contract has reached 106.35. And in the stock market, December S&P 500 futures are up by 2 points, while December Dow futures are down by 102 points. Published: 9:03 a.m. CT

Stay Informed on Today's Commodity Market Movements

March Corn: A Tale of Choppiness

1: March corn has been experiencing a rather erratic morning, with its price fluctuating between different levels. It shows no clear direction, constantly moving up or down by just a fraction of a penny. This choppy behavior is likely to keep traders on their toes as they try to make sense of the market. 2: The inability of March corn to settle on a specific price range highlights the uncertainty in the market. Traders are closely watching these price movements as they await further cues and developments that could potentially lead to more stable trading conditions.

January Soybeans: A Strong Surge

1: January soybeans have taken center stage with a remarkable 5¢ increase. This significant upward movement is likely to attract the attention of both traders and investors. It indicates a positive sentiment in the soybean market and could potentially lead to further gains. 2: The surge in January soybeans may be driven by various factors such as supply and demand dynamics or global market trends. Traders will be closely monitoring these factors to assess the sustainability of this upward trend and make informed trading decisions.

March Wheat: Following Suit

1: Near the open of the trading session, March KC and Minneapolis wheat were trading in tandem with corn. However, as the day progressed, all three March contracts have managed to move into the green. This shows a certain level of convergence in the wheat market and suggests that there may be some underlying factors at play. 2: The relatively small increase of less than 2¢ in March wheat indicates a cautious market sentiment. Traders are likely to be waiting for more concrete information, such as the upcoming USDA WASDE report, to determine the next move in the wheat market.

Livestock and Energy Markets: Moving in Different Directions

1: In the livestock market, February live cattle have seen a substantial 30¢ increase, while January feeder cattle have risen by 78¢. These gains highlight the strength in the livestock sector. On the other hand, February lean hogs are also up by 68¢, indicating a positive trend in the pork market. 2: In the energy market, January crude oil has seen a 7¢ increase, reflecting the overall sentiment in the energy sector. However, it is important to note that the stock market is showing some divergence, with December S&P 500 futures up by 2 points and December Dow futures down by 102 points. This shows the complexity and interconnection of different markets.

Currency and Stock Markets: Impact and Outlook

1: The U.S. Dollar Index December contract reaching 106.35 indicates the strength of the dollar. This could have implications for various markets, including commodities and stocks. Traders will need to closely monitor the currency market as it can influence the overall market sentiment. 2: In the stock market, December S&P 500 futures and December Dow futures are showing contrasting trends. While the S&P 500 futures are up, the Dow futures are down. This highlights the volatility and uncertainty in the stock market and emphasizes the need for careful analysis and risk management.
Stainless: Generating SDKs for Tech Giants like OpenAI, etc.
2024-12-10
Devs have long awaited tech vendors to supply software development kits (SDKs) alongside their products. This would simplify the process of creating apps. However, many vendors only offer APIs, which are basic communication protocols. Alex Rattray, the founder of Stainless, believes AI can play a crucial role. Stainless uses a compiler to automatically generate SDKs from APIs on the fly. Without an SDK, API users have to rely on reading API docs and building everything themselves. There is no easy way for vendors to create SDKs at scale. Stainless takes in an API spec and generates SDKs in multiple programming languages like Python, TypeScript, Kotlin, and Go. As APIs evolve, the platform pushes updates with versioning and changelog options. While typical vendors have in-house devs build libraries, Stainless uses AI to create an initial config that teams can fine-tune. This avoids library inconsistency and outdated issues, leading to quicker upgrades and faster integration. Rattray claims that we are entering a world where everyone has an expert-level engineer in their pocket. With this shift, APIs will become the primary interface for all users, and companies without excellent APIs will become outdated. Much of Stainless' functionality is based on Rattray's industry experiences. He picked up programming while at UPenn and later worked at Stripe, where he helped with API documentation and launched the API client SDK. Stainless is not the only API-to-SDK generator. There are others like LibLab and Speakeasy, as well as open source projects like the OpenAPI Generator. But Rattray argues that Stainless offers more "polish" due to its compiler. Many customers have tried the OpenAPI Generator but found its output lacking in code quality. This polish has attracted tech giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta to Stainless' platform, along with other companies like Runway, Groq, Cerebras, Modern Treasury, and Cloudflare. Rattray claims that Stainless has hundreds of paying customers and its SDKs are downloaded millions of times weekly. Most customers pay for the enterprise tier, which includes additional services and AI functionality. Publishing a single SDK is free, but multiple SDKs cost between $250 a month and $30,000 a year. Rattray said the company's annual recurring revenue is around $1 million and it is nearing profitability. To grow, Stainless recently closed a $25 million Series A led by a16z with participation from Sequoia, The General Partnership, Felicis, Zapier, and MongoDB. The new funds will be used to expand the 20-person team in New York. Rattray added that the business is efficient but they raised funds to accelerate development towards their vision. SDKs are just the first step; their vision is to build a comprehensive platform for all API-related needs.

Unlock the Power of APIs with Stainless' AI-Driven SDKs

Tech Vendors and the SDK Dilemma

Devs have been expecting tech vendors to provide SDKs alongside their products. But the reality is that many only offer APIs. This creates a challenge for developers who need to build apps using these products. Stainless steps in with its innovative approach using AI to generate SDKs from APIs.

Without an SDK, API users have to do a lot of work themselves. They have to read API docs and build everything from scratch. This is not an efficient process. Stainless' solution automates this process and makes it easier for developers to create apps.

The Stainless Approach

Stainless takes in an API spec and generates SDKs in multiple programming languages. This allows developers to choose the language they are most comfortable with. As APIs evolve, Stainless' platform pushes updates with versioning and changelog options.

Unlike typical vendors who have in-house devs building libraries, Stainless uses AI to create an initial config. This config can then be fine-tuned by teams to meet their specific API needs. This approach avoids problems like library inconsistency and outdated issues.

The Impact of Stainless

Rattray believes that we are entering a world where everyone has an expert-level engineer in their pocket. With this shift, APIs will become the primary interface for all users. Companies without excellent APIs will be left behind.

Stainless' functionality is based on Rattray's industry experiences. He has seen firsthand the challenges of working with APIs and the need for better solutions. Stainless is not just another API-to-SDK generator; it offers more "polish" due to its compiler.

Customer Success and Growth

Stainless has attracted many tech giants and other companies with its platform. It has hundreds of paying customers and its SDKs are downloaded millions of times weekly.

The company's enterprise tier offers additional services and AI functionality. Publishing a single SDK is free, but multiple SDKs come at a cost. Rattray said the company's annual recurring revenue is around $1 million and it is nearing profitability.

Future Plans and Funding

To grow, Stainless recently closed a $25 million Series A led by a16z with participation from other investors. The new funds will be used to expand the team and continue developing the platform.

Rattray added that SDKs are just the first step. Their vision is to build a comprehensive platform for all API-related needs. This shows their ambition and commitment to the field.

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Duolingo Joins Forces with Netflix for 'Squid Game' Korean Learning
2024-12-10
Attention, fellow entertainment enthusiasts! In the highly anticipated Season Two of the immensely popular Korean thriller series "Squid Game" on Netflix, viewers are about to embark on a new challenge. But before diving in, a crucial question arises - do you know how to speak Korean? This collaboration between Netflix and Duolingo aims to address just that.

Unlock the Secrets of "Squid Game" with Duolingo's Korean Lessons

Why Learn Korean for "Squid Game"

1: The upcoming Season Two of "Squid Game" has sparked a wave of excitement among viewers worldwide. To truly immerse oneself in this thrilling world, knowing the Korean language becomes essential. Duolingo, a renowned language learning app, has joined forces with Netflix to offer a unique learning experience. By integrating over 40 keywords and phrases from the show into its app, learners can connect more closely with the series and enhance their understanding. 2: For example, the sugary treat "dolgana" featured in the third episode of the first season is now part of the Duolingo lessons. This not only makes learning fun but also helps learners remember key vocabulary. Lessons teaching phrases like "Trust no one," "Let's play a game," and "You've been eliminated" add an extra layer of authenticity to the learning process.

The Impact of "Squid Game" on Language Learning

1: According to Duolingo's chief marketing officer, Manu Orssaud, the collaboration with "Squid Game" has led to a remarkable 40% jump in Korean learners. Since the series was released in 2021, it has amassed a massive fanbase of 330 million viewers and 2.8 billion hours watched. This shows the power of popular culture in driving language learning. 2: By incorporating references from the show into the regular Korean lessons, Duolingo has created a unique learning environment. Learners can now practice their Korean skills while being inspired by the exciting world of "Squid Game." This approach makes learning more engaging and effective.

The Fun Element: TikTok Game Filter

1: In addition to the language lessons, the new TikTok game filter adds another layer of fun to the "Squid Game" experience. Users can test their Korean skills with voice-activated challenges featuring Duo, Duolingo's owl mascot, dressed in a pink guard costume. This interactive element allows learners to have fun while improving their language abilities. 2: For instance, users must accurately pronounce phrases to take out players attempting to survive the infamous Red Light, Green Light game. This not only adds an element of competition but also helps learners reinforce their pronunciation and vocabulary.

Netflix's Promotional Efforts

1: Netflix is leaving no stone unturned in promoting "Squid Game." This year, they have hosted a race in Los Angeles on December 12, where fans can compete for a seat at the U.S. premiere. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk and various cast members, including Lee Jung-jae, will be in attendance, adding to the excitement. 2: Fans in select locations like New York, Madrid, Seoul, and Sydney can also check out "Squid Game: The Experience," which allows them to participate in popular games from the show. On December 17, "Squid Game: Unleashed" launches, a new mobile game developed by Netflix Games. These promotional efforts showcase Netflix's commitment to making "Squid Game" a global phenomenon.
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