Vivek, co-founder and CEO of HackerRank, apologizes for helping normalize months of LeetCode-style grinding and notes that billboards in San Francisco even carry that message. He traces technical interviews from brainteasers to whiteboard coding to algorithmic puzzles, arguing those steps measured interview preparation more than real software-building ability. With AI changing how developers plan, build and review - frequently working with agents and assessing AI-produced code - hiring must shift from testing memorized solutions to assessing judgment about AI-assisted development.
HackerRank is introducing Chakra, an "agentic interviewer" that replaces isolated algorithm problems with realistic tasks executed in code repositories, moves evaluation from mere correctness to AI fluency and judgment, and provides an agentic development environment rather than a simple IDE. Candidates get AI tools, solve real problems, and face follow-ups that probe why they chose an approach, what they'd change, and how they validated AI-generated code. Algorithmic questions retain value but should carry far less weight; Chakra’s goal is to show how well someone actually builds, vets and iterates on software in the way work is done today.
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A project has successfully recompiled PS2 games to WebAssembly, enabling them to run directly in web browsers with a native-like runtime. This allows for playing classic PS2 titles without emulators or additional software. (github.com)
Advancements in hardware and software support are making Linux phones more viable as an alternative to Android and iOS. Although the market remains small, improved SoCs and interfaces could foster a niche for Linux smartphones similar to the desktop Linux market. (amosbbatto.wordpress.com)
Crest is an open-source browser for Mac, iPad, and iPhone inspired by Arc, offering features like Spaces, sidebar, Peek, and Split View. It supports Chrome extensions, synchronization via iCloud, and privacy options including private spaces with biometric locks. (crestbrowser.com)
Doory is an open-source alternative to Canva, designed for creating graphics without proprietary tools. It features separate backend and frontend folders and has received seven stars on GitHub. (github.com)
Pensieve enables local searching of files, repositories, and sessions on Macs to provide relevant context for AI agents, reducing tool calls and costs. It allows precise searches by meaning or exact words, streamlining workflows without scanning entire disks. (tedhaley.ca)
X remains the primary platform where many Apple executives and interesting accounts post exclusive content, including updates and discussions on new apps and AI tools. Despite competition from Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon, X offers a more engaging and diverse range of posts, especially on topics like AI and technology. (daringfireball.net)
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