This is issue 2024.06 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 29, 2024. Subscribe now, so you never miss an issue of the API Changelog.
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Announcements
TVBet has consolidated its products under a new umbrella brand, Betcore, to simplify partner integration with a single API for multiple iGaming verticals. The Betcore API encompasses TVBet live games, Fastsport quick sports games, El Casino live classics, and a variety of instant win games through Bet on Games.
Perforce has enhanced its testing platform by partnering with Worksoft to offer a comprehensive suite for large-scale continuous testing. The collaboration aims to simplify and expand test automation, addressing complex applications and offering a transformative approach for enterprise clients.
Iconfactory is launching "Project Tapestry," aiming to centralize various media sources into a single feed, funded via Kickstarter. It will not include support for Twitter but will integrate other platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky.
Alwrite, an Indian insurtech firm, now integrates Moody's RMS® Location Intelligence API. It's the first local company to adopt this for commercial underwriting. See additional coverage on LatestLy.
Jabra introduces Jabra+ for Admins, an API-first cloud platform for managing meeting rooms and devices, with enhanced features for IT admins. The platform, which integrates with various systems and leverages Microsoft Azure for security, will be showcased at ISE 2024 along with new video solutions. See additional coverage on My Tech Decisions.
WhoisXML API unveils an updated Website Categorization API and Database, utilizing advanced AI for more accurate classification into 83 categories. The updated products now include new output fields like WHOIS domain creation dates and AS details, offer daily updates, and aid various business processes from content filtering to market analysis.
ScaleOut Software has open-sourced APIs and tools for real-time digital twin simulations aimed at enhancing logistics, smart cities, and operational planning. The platform supports rapid, in-memory processing for live monitoring and what-if analysis, with potential benefits for enterprise applications in various sectors.
Funding and M&A
SmartBear acquires Reflect to bolster its AI strategy, enhancing its software testing hubs with AI-based no-code testing capabilities. Reflect's integration promises advanced natural language test creation for modern development teams, marking SmartBear's 10th acquisition in five years.
P0, an AI-based security startup, secured $6.5 million in seed funding from Lightspeed for its developer-assisting platform that preemptively identifies code vulnerabilities. Co-founded by alumni of Stanford and companies like Splunk, P0 aims to revolutionize API security using Large Language Models in its comprehensive, LLM-first approach.
Neurelo has secured $5 million in funds to tackle complex database connection issues. The startup focuses on easing database connectivity for users. They recently launched a platform to boost developer productivity for application and database integration. The platform offers auto-generated APIs, AI-custom query features, and query observability, now generally available. See additional coverage on Database Trends and Applications, TheNewStack, TechCrunch, and BusinessWire.
Reddit prepares for its IPO, valued at around $5 billion, by partnering with Tealium to enhance ad analytics and campaign effectiveness. The platform aims to attract performance-focused advertisers with improved targeting and brand safety measures, despite being behind in ad revenue compared to other social apps.
AI
Apple is testing AI models, including ChatGPT, to boost Siri and iMessage in the forthcoming iOS 18 update. The iOS 17.4 beta hints at new AI summarization capabilities and integration across various apps like Apple Music and Pages.
Emotional AI APIs are revolutionizing the understanding of human emotions for companies like Hume AI, Entropik Tech, and Affectiva, but face ethical challenges. Microsoft's discontinuation of facial coding APIs highlights the tech industry's cautious approach to emotional AI, emphasizing privacy and ethical use.
Algolia is now a BigCommerce Preferred Technology Partner, enhancing BigCommerce's API-driven search capabilities for its numerous customers. FKA Brands has successfully integrated Algolia's AI Search into their BigCommerce stores, increasing performance and personalizing consumer shopping experiences.
NETSOL Technologies updated its digital retail and mobility platform, Otoz 2.0, improving e-commerce experiences for the auto industry. The platform, now chosen by AutoNation and showing success with the MINI Anywhere program, supports advanced sales with integrations and AI enhancements. See additional coverage on AssetFinanceInternational.
Fintech
Moneyhub's new Fact-finder API Recipe leverages Open Finance to streamline customer onboarding and enable personalized financial services. It automates data collection for businesses, offering real-time insights for more targeted and efficient customer advice and solutions.
API3 introduces the OEV Network, utilizing Polygon CDK for a ZK-rollup to capture value leaks in DeFi, directly benefiting protocols and API providers. The network, ensuring security and transparency through on-chain auctions, also incentivizes API3 through a token-buyback-and-burn mechanism. See additional coverage on Yahoo!finance.
Clowd9 and Ozone API, both UK-based have formed a global strategic partnership to enhance open banking services. Their collaboration merges Clowd9's payment platform with Ozone's API offerings, aiming to facilitate banks' adaptation to open finance. See additional coverage on IBSintelligence and Fintech Finance News.
Nigerian startup Miden, entering Y Combinator's Winter 2024 group, offers business-oriented virtual cards to simplify payment processes. Y Combinator continues to focus on African remittance startups, with Miden following the selection of similar fintech companies from the continent.
Security
Microsoft was hit by Russian-linked APT29, exploiting OAuth to access high-profile accounts; they gave technical attack details to aid others. APT29 concealed their activities using residential proxies, complicating traditional detection methods; Microsoft recommends auditing strategies for protection.
Salt Security joins the AWS Lambda Ready Program, offering an extension for easy deployment and API traffic monitoring on serverless architectures. Their API Protection Platform leverages ML/AI for real-time API attack prevention and posture governance at scale.
Commando Cat is a cryptojacking campaign targeting Docker endpoints, deploying benign containers, and executing malicious payloads for mining and backdooring. The malware evades detection by not using disk space and may be linked to groups like TeamTNT, stealing credentials and mining cryptocurrency.
Graylog releases a free version of its API Security tool, enhancing API security and threat detection for enterprises of all sizes. The cloud-native solution offers full capture, real-time threat intelligence, and guided remediation, with a 16GB storage limit on a single node. See additional coverage on database Trends and Applications, Help Net Security, DevOps.com, and Businesswire.