Crypto News
Uniswap, a popular decentralized exchange, introduces UniswapX, a new trading protocol. It aggregates liquidity from various sources and allows users to swap assets without gas fees, which are already included in each transaction. UniswapX also safeguards against manipulative bots. To utilize UniswapX, users must opt-in on Uniswap's central platform, improving liquidity and making trades more convenient and cost-effective for users.
Bitcoins' short-term growth depends on the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, with an expected 25 basis point interest rate increase. This should not significantly impact the markets. There is also a pending decision by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) application by Ark Invest, set for August 13th. If approved, this could mean a substantial increase in Bitcoin's value.
Changes in the Last Week
Bitcoin $29,216 (-0,2%) ⎸ Ethereum $1,851 (-1.2%) ⎸ Gold $1,976
AI News
In the world of AI, Google's Bard and Microsoft's Bing Chat have released new multimodal functionality. Now, you can input images into these AI models alongside text, opening up a new realm of possibilities.
Some examples of what you could do with that are
- Estimate Calories: Upload an image and estimate the calories in the meal
- Create a Recipe: Upload an image of a dish and let the AI create a custom recipe
- Design-to-Code: Share screenshots and let the model write the front-end HTML and CSS code.
These models provide a glimpse of the immense power of multimodal AI. They interpret visual information and will only get smarter with time, incorporating more modalities like audio and video.
OpenAI has launched a new feature called custom instructions for users of ChatGPT. This option allows you to provide specific context for the AI chatbot without repeating instructions every time.
You can specify your preferences, such as teaching fourth-grade math or choosing a preferred programming language. It even tailors responses based on family size for meals, grocery shopping, and vacation planning.
Custom instructions work with plug-ins and are available for Plus plan users. It's in beta and can be accessed through the Settings menu on the web or iOS app.
Remember that this feature is not available for EU and UK users yet. The information provided through custom instructions will be used to train API models. Still, you can opt out of this setting through your data control settings.
I'd love to hear about your use cases.
Travel Tips
Here are our top 5 locations in SE Asia that we recently visited and found to be ideal for digital nomads in terms of cost of living, internet connectivity, and safety.
🇹🇭 Bangkok, Thailand: Bangkok stole our hearts with its fantastic infrastructure, affordable accommodation, and delicious food options. The internet connectivity is reliable, making it easy to work remotely. It's a diverse city with a mix of culture and modernity, perfect for curious digital nomads like us.
🇹🇼 Taipei, Taiwan: Taipei was a positive surprise on our last trip; we stayed only for a week but got convinced to come back soon. While accommodation may be more expensive, there are plenty of cafes to work from, reliable internet, and excellent public transport options. The food is affordable and tasty, and the city offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Another plus to coming to Taiwan is the possibility of staying for up to 3 months when coming from EU countries.
🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: HCMC is another place we recommend to digital nomads—great people, stable internet, and budget-friendly. There are many nice cafes to work from, and the city's dynamic atmosphere keeps things exciting every day.
🇰🇭 Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Phnom Penh is becoming a rising hub for digital nomads. It has plenty of cafes and co-working spaces, affordable living costs, and a growing entrepreneurial scene. You can reach any part of the city with a cheap Grab ride, where you can even book a rickshaw, not only cars and motorbikes.
🇮🇩 Bali, Indonesia: Despite its popularity and almost being a cliche place for all digital nomads, we have to include it in this list. It has stunning landscapes, a thriving community of remote workers that you can connect with, and you can still find affordable apartments. Bali's unique blend of culture and relaxation gives your every day a tropical feel for work and leisure.
I am currently listening
Lex Friedn #390 - Yuval Noah Harari: Human Nature, Intelligence, Power and Conspiracies
I am currently watching
The Mini Series about the styrian oak Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Tool of the week
Unstoppable Domains is a blockchain-based platform that offers decentralized domain names with extensions like .crypto and .zil. These domains are stored on the Ethereum and Zilliqa blockchains, providing full ownership and control to users without third-party intermediaries. Users can attach cryptocurrency addresses to their domains, making crypto transactions easier. The platform aims to create a more open and decentralized internet, giving individuals and businesses true ownership and freedom over their online presence.
Inspiring Quotes
"It's better to make a few people really happy than to make a lot of people semi-happy."—Paul Graham
and
"Beware of looking for goals: look for a way of life. Decide how you want to live and then see what you can do to make a living within that way of life." — Hunter S Thompson
Productivity Tips and Tricks
🌅 Is our peak productivity time in the morning? 🌅
We probably all came across this productivity tip. But is it true? Saying that we all have our peak productivity in the morning is a generalization and can vary from person to person. It is neither universally true nor universally false.
Some individuals may find that they are most productive in the morning, as they feel refreshed after a good night's sleep and have the mental clarity to tackle tasks efficiently. This phenomenon is often referred to as being a "morning person."
However, others might experience higher productivity during different times of the day. Some individuals may be more alert and focused in the afternoon or evening, making those periods their peak productivity times. This is often known as an "evening person" or "night owl."
Additionally, factors such as personal habits, lifestyle, work schedule, and individual circadian rhythms can influence when someone feels most productive.
Our productivity patterns can vary significantly from person to person, and individuals need to identify their own peak productivity times through self-awareness and experimentation. Understanding when they are most productive can help you to optimize your schedules and tasks accordingly to achieve better efficiency and results.
