Walmart Inside Games, Fimple $5.5M, Deutsche Telekom MACE
The API Changelog issue 2024.02
This is issue 2024.02 of the API Changelog, a mix of API news, commentary, and opinion. In this issue, you'll get to know the most relevant API-related information from the week of January 1, 2024. Subscribe now, so you never miss an issue of the API Changelog.
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Announcements
Apideck was named a High Performer in Unified APIs for the Winter 2024 G2 report. G2 reviewed over 200 Unified API reviews, and Apideck scored 4.8 stars from 22 reviews.
Upbound has released its flagship product, powered by Crossplane, on the AWS Marketplace. This offers easier access to their control plane solutions for AWS users.
Relias and Paycor have announced an enhanced partnership featuring API integration to streamline HR tasks for healthcare organizations. This collaboration aims to improve onboarding processes and reduce administrative workload, thus addressing recruiting and retention challenges.
KittyCAD and ML-ephant API join forces under Zoo to create a hardware design ecosystem, offering tools for modern hardware design and machine learning integration. Zoo, incubated by Embedded Ventures and other investors, aims to refresh the industry with infrastructure for enhancing productivity and custom tool creation. See additional coverage on AIThority and Yahoo!finance.
Intergiro partners with Silverflow to enhance card processing efficiency and access to card data, benefiting their innovative client base. The alliance with Silverflow equips Intergiro’s digital payment services with state-of-the-art technology, promising cost savings, and modernized payment processing.
Index Exchange donated a Privacy Sandbox Demo tool to the IAB Tech Lab to facilitate industry understanding of Google's Privacy Sandbox Protected Audience APIs. This open-source platform allows stakeholders to test and comprehend the implications of these APIs on digital advertising practices. See additional coverage on MarTechSeries.
Walmart partners with Unity to let developers integrate commerce APIs into games, enabling the sale of physical items in virtual experiences. Tom Kang highlights the unique connection between digital and physical realms, while Unity's SDK facilitates in-game transactions and developer monetization. See additional coverage on PocketGamer.biz and CSA.
Samsung announced an integration with Tesla to link SmartThings Energy with Tesla's energy products, aiming to enhance consumer home experiences. The collaboration, using Tesla's APIs, will allow users to manage power and prepare for outages more efficiently across Samsung and Tesla devices. See additional coverage on ShackNews, Electrek, Samsung News Room U.S., and Samsung News Room.
Tesla expanded its API to include Powerwall, solar products, and home charging, allowing third-party development integration. The update supports energy product integration, advancing Tesla's software-centric energy strategies and virtual power plants.
Funding
Fimple secured $5.5 million led by Apy Ventures for cloud-based financial technology expansion, targeting global markets and enhancing customer services. CEO Gündebahar highlights the investment's role in driving technological growth and industry leadership.
AI
Anthropic has released Claude 2.1, an AI with enhanced ethics, comprehension, and a large context window for processing extensive documents. The update also includes API integration for diverse applications, aiming to set a new standard in AI safety and utility.
Treasury operations are revolutionized by technologies like cloud computing, robots, AI, and APIs, enhancing efficiency and innovation. APIs and robotics, in particular, improve real-time data access and automate high-volume tasks, reducing errors and saving resources.
BizMagnets launches an AI-driven CRM platform integrating WhatsApp Business API to help SMBs enhance customer engagement efficiently. Their AI ChatGPT technology offers businesses personalized communication tools and 24/7 automated customer service.
GPT4Free offers unauthorized access to AI models, gaining popularity with significant GitHub traction and raising legal and ethical issues. While addressing the need for open AI access, its controversial methods spotlight challenges in balancing accessibility with ethics.
Fintech
Twilio's platform enables Jack Henry to enhance customer interaction for banks and credit unions, supporting nearly 10 million users. The collaboration is recognized for its reliability and growth potential in the financial services sector.
Embedded payments provide a lucrative revenue stream for SaaS businesses by offering integrated payment processing, increasing customer retention and value. As SaaS growth stagnates, integrating fintech features like embedded payments can significantly boost revenue and competitive advantage.
NETSOL Technologies expands its partnership with UK's Haydock Finance by providing two new products, Dock and Lane, from its Appex Now marketplace. Following the success of the calculation engine Flex, Haydock now enhances operations with Dock's document generation and Lane's order management systems. See additional coverage on monitordaily.
Decentro has introduced a groundbreaking Penniless BAV API that streamlines customer onboarding, saving costs and time while avoiding the pitfalls of penny-drop verifications. Employing Penniless and Reverse Penny Drop verification, Decentro's technology boasts a high success rate and seeks a dominant market position.
Crypto APIs partners with CoolWallet to improve blockchain services for over 300,000 users, offering real-time data and wallet sync features. The collaboration enhances security and user experience with advanced wallet technology and support for 35+ blockchain networks.
Deutsche Telekom has formed MACE to market network APIs to developers, recently launching the Magenta Business API in partnership with Vonage. The initiative aligns with the GSMA Open Gateway project, contributing to a global platform for universal network access, supported by major operators and tech vendors.
Surfboard Payments partners with Worldline to enhance payment services in the Nordics, focusing on innovative card-present payment solutions. The collaboration aims to merge technical expertise and improve merchant offerings with platforms like SoftPOS and next-day delivery via SurfShip API.
Security
Bitget Wallet integrated WalletConnect's Verify API to boost security against suspicious domains and is planning to add Notify API for direct DApp notifications. The partnership emphasizes user security and engagement in the evolving Web3 and cryptocurrency landscape.
Japan's NERV disaster prevention app hit X's API post limit amid tsunami warnings, hindering updates to its over 2 million followers. Despite requests, Elon Musk's policy on API limitations restricts NERV, forcing the app to seek alternative information channels for its users. See additional coverage on Wonderful Engineering, Mashable, Cybernews, Reddit, and nichegamer.
AI-related APIs saw a 96% growth in 2023, driven by their central role in AI interactions, with security and zombie endpoints as major concerns. The future of APIs involves increased importance for security measures like authentication and the necessity for observability and governance tools.
Nudge Security aids IT teams in managing the increasing SaaS footprint and reducing risks from identity-based threats by providing real-time SaaS inventory and security insights. The platform offers solutions for continuous SaaS discovery, reviewing OAuth grants, managing SSO, and promoting MFA adoption, tackling unauthorized access and sprawl.
The "Leaky Buckets" metaphor highlights the prevalent issue of API security vulnerabilities, with a focus on the challenge of detecting leaks in these systems. Wallarm’s API Attack Surface Management, including leak detection, aims to provide better visibility and protection against API-related cyber threats.
Meta Threads app is expanding in the EU and plans to launch its own API, enabling direct publishing and content scheduling. While the API is in a testing phase, broader availability and additional features like analytics access remain under development. See additional coverage on GVS.