Software
Pestle's App Can Transform TikTok Recipes into Saved Ones
2024-11-25
Recipe app Pestle is making waves with its latest innovation. By leveraging on-device machine learning, it can now transform your beloved TikTok recipe videos into detailed, step-by-step instructions. This is a significant step forward for home cooks and recipe enthusiasts alike.

Transform TikTok Recipes into Cookbook-Worthy Guides with Pestle

How Pestle's New Feature Works

Pestle's new feature is a game-changer. It processes the captions of TikTok recipe videos, where creators typically document their ingredient lists and instructions. Instead of relying on a third-party AI provider, this on-device machine learning-powered feature ensures a seamless and efficient conversion process. For example, imagine you come across a viral TikTok recipe for baked feta pasta. With Pestle's new feature, you can easily share the video with the app and have it imported as a detailed recipe, complete with ingredient list and instructions. This saves you the hassle of manually transcribing the recipe and ensures accuracy.Moreover, the feature is not limited to just importing basic recipe information. As of this update, it also includes nutritional info, providing a more comprehensive cooking experience. This is especially useful for those who are conscious about their diet and want to make informed choices while cooking.

The Evolution of Pestle's Recipe Saving Capabilities

Pestle was launched in 2022 by developer Will Bishop with the aim of making recipe saving and cooking easier. Initially, it focused on saving recipes found on the web, similar to other apps in its space. However, users have long been demanding a way to save recipes from social media platforms like TikTok. Bishop initially pushed back against this idea due to the challenges of parsing recipes written in different ways without AI. But through extensive research and development, he discovered that on-device machine learning could handle the job efficiently and speed up the process.This summer, Pestle added a feature that could turn Instagram Reels videos into saved recipes. Now, with the arrival of the same functionality for TikTok, users can enjoy the convenience of saving their favorite TikTok recipes directly in the Pestle app. It's a seamless integration that enhances the user experience and makes cooking from social media recipes more accessible than ever before.

Benefits of Using Pestle's Recipe App

Pestle's app offers a range of benefits beyond just recipe conversion. Paid subscribers gain access to expanded features such as a Discover section for cooking inspiration, 14-day meal planning support, and shopping lists with Apple Reminders integration. These features make meal planning and grocery shopping more organized and efficient.For example, with the 14-day meal planning support, you can create a customized meal plan based on your preferences and dietary needs. The shopping lists integrated with Apple Reminders ensure that you never forget to buy the necessary ingredients. It's a one-stop solution for all your cooking and meal planning needs.In addition, the app's free download on the iOS App Store makes it accessible to a wide range of users. Whether you're a professional chef or a novice cook, Pestle has something to offer.
Plex Redesigns Software for Better Discovery & Personalization
2024-11-22
Streaming service Plex has taken a significant step forward with the introduction of a redesigned software. This update aims to enhance the user experience by emphasizing discovery, easy access to watchlists, and personalized features. It caters to both home media enthusiasts and those who rely on the app for organizing their media libraries.

Redefining Streaming with Plex's Software Upgrade

Emphasizing Discovery

Plex's new software places greater importance on discovery. Instead of the traditional hamburger menus, a tabbed navigation with buttons at the bottom of the screen has been introduced. This design change makes it easier for users to explore the various parts of the service on mobile devices. Users can seamlessly move between their media library, Live TV channels, On Demand streams, and more. The Discovery section and personalized home page provide quick access to content that users may want to continue watching.This updated interface is a result of two years of meticulous work by the Plex team. It is designed to enhance the user's journey through the platform and make it more intuitive and enjoyable.

Personalized Features for Home Media Enthusiasts

Home media enthusiasts will appreciate the dedicated button that centralizes access to their media libraries. They can favorite libraries to customize the experience according to their needs. The Plex Watchlist, where users track the shows and movies they want to see, now has a more prominent spot in the top navigation, allowing for faster access. Over time, more people have started using this feature, and Plex has responded to their feedback by making it more accessible.In addition to these changes, the new release also includes a reorganization of areas where users access their personal details. Profile information, watch history, friends, and streaming services are now all available in one place, providing a more streamlined experience.

Visual Enhancements

The updated app has expanded its use of visual imagery, which is particularly noticeable in movie and show detail pages, as well as cast and crew profiles and users' own Plex profile pages. Title artwork for movies and shows has been added, enhancing the visual appeal and providing a more immersive experience.Plex has also rewritten its apps under the hood and streamlined its codebase as part of this process. This unified codebase allows the team to release new features across all supported platforms quickly, speeding up the development cycle.However, the redesign is initially rolling out to mobile devices in an "early-access preview" to gather user feedback. During this period, features like playlists and cast support are still in the works and will be added. Support for TV platforms will soon follow, ensuring that users across different devices can enjoy the benefits of the redesigned software.
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Instagram Launches Location-Sharing in DMs to Compete with Snapchat
2024-11-25
Instagram has made a significant announcement on Monday. It is now enabling users to share their locations with friends directly through DMs. This move indicates that the Meta-owned social network is gearing up to take on competitors like Apple's Find My and Snapchat's Snap Map, which are widely used for seeing friends' and loved ones' live locations.

Unlock the Power of Location Sharing on Instagram

Location Sharing via DMs

Instagram is introducing the ability for users to share their locations with their friends via DMs. This feature was spotted being tested earlier this year, and its launch isn't a complete surprise. Unlike Apple and Snapchat, where you can share your location indefinitely, Instagram allows it only for up to one hour. It can be used to coordinate arrival times or find friends in crowded spaces. You can choose to share with one person or a group chat. Once shared, only those in the specific chat can see your location, and it can't be forwarded. There is an indicator at the top of the chat to remind you of the live location sharing. All live locations expire after one hour. While WhatsApp allows up to eight hours of location sharing, Instagram's time limit may change in the future. This new feature is available in select countries, and TechCrunch has reached out for more details.

Customizing Names in DMs

Instagram also announced on Monday that users can now customize names in DMs by adding nicknames. This feature allows you to share inside jokes or simply shorten lengthy usernames. To create a nickname, tap on the chat name at the top of a conversation and select "Nicknames." From there, you can choose the username of the person you want to assign a nickname to. Nicknames are only visible in your DM chats.

New Sticker Packs in DMs

Instagram is rolling out 17 new sticker packs with over 300 stickers that you can share in DMs. These stickers add a fun and interactive element to your DMs, allowing you to express yourself in a more creative way. Whether it's for a lighthearted conversation or a special moment, these stickers are sure to enhance your DM experience.
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