Tag: Closed source
Not everything has to be open! These tools keep their code under lock and key, focusing on delivering polished, proprietary solutions.
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Netlify
Netlify is a platform for deploying and hosting static websites and Jamstack applications. It automatically builds from Git repos, provides global edge hosting, and supports serverless functions for dynamic functionality.
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LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional networking site for building work connections, posting resumes, and job hunting. It features industry news, job listings, skill endorsements, and corporate profiles, making it central to modern recruitment and career growth.
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X (Twitter)
X, formerly known as Twitter, is a microblogging platform where users share short posts (“tweets”) and multimedia. It serves as a live feed for news, trending topics, and user interactions via follows, likes, and reposts.
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Venmo
Venmo, owned by PayPal, is a popular mobile payment service in the U.S. that allows users to send money to friends or businesses instantly. It incorporates social features like activity feeds and emojis, aiming for a more casual peer-to-peer payment experience.
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PayPal
PayPal is an online payments platform facilitating money transfers, e-commerce transactions, and remittances worldwide. It offers buyer and seller protections, one-touch checkout, and international currency support, making online shopping more seamless.
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Zelle
Zelle is a digital payments network integrated into many U.S. banking apps. It enables instant peer-to-peer transfers using email addresses or phone numbers, eliminating the need for handling cash or checks.
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Verizon
Verizon is a leading wireless network provider in the U.S., known for its extensive coverage and reliable service. It also offers home internet, TV bundles, and enterprise solutions, with frequent technology rollouts like 5G Ultra Wideband.
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T-Mobile
T-Mobile is one of the largest wireless carriers in the U.S., recognized for its nationwide 5G network. It offers unlimited data plans, hotspot features, and frequent perks—like free international data roaming—to attract both personal and business customers.
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Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile is a prepaid mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that runs on T-Mobile’s network. It offers discounted rates when customers purchase multi-month plans upfront, focusing on budget-friendly data, text, and calling packages.
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Fly.io
Fly.io provides global application hosting by running containers close to your users. It manages DNS, certificates, and scaling automatically, enabling low-latency services across a distributed edge network.
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AT&T
AT&T is a global telecommunications giant offering wireless, broadband, and TV services. It’s known for its nationwide 5G network, bundled entertainment packages (formerly through DirecTV), and expansive fiber internet coverage.
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Render
Render is a cloud hosting provider that offers automatic deployments and scaling for apps, databases, and static sites. It targets developers seeking simplicity and a managed environment, integrating easily with GitHub for CI/CD workflows.
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TurboTax
TurboTax is an online tax preparation tool developed by Intuit, helping individuals file federal and state taxes. Guided forms, automated calculations, and real-time error checks make it user-friendly, with upgraded tiers offering live CPA support.
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Pinterest
Pinterest is a discovery platform where users “pin” images and links to themed boards. Often used for inspiration in DIY projects, recipes, and design ideas, it focuses on curation and sharing of lifestyle concepts.
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Comcast
Comcast is a major U.S. telecommunications conglomerate providing cable TV, high-speed internet, and telephone services under the brand Xfinity. It also owns NBCUniversal, delivering vast content, including on-demand streaming platforms and news broadcasts.
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Instagram
Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social network owned by Meta. Known for its visual focus, the platform offers stories, reels, and IGTV, letting users showcase creative content and connect via likes, comments, and direct messages.
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Starlink
Starlink, by SpaceX, delivers high-speed internet via a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites. It aims to provide global coverage, particularly in rural or remote areas, using a compact satellite dish and router for easy home setup.
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Facebook
Facebook is a global social networking site used for sharing updates, photos, and personal milestones. Beyond its core social features, the platform integrates messaging, event creation, and marketplace tools for community engagement.
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Webull
Webull is a mobile-focused trading platform providing commission-free stock, ETF, and options trading. It features extended-hours trading, advanced charting, and a robust community forum, making it appealing to tech-savvy users who want real-time market data and insights.
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Xcode
Xcode is Apple’s official IDE for macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS development. It features a code editor, debugging tools, and an Interface Builder, all integrated to streamline the process of creating and testing Swift and Objective-C applications.
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Fidelity
Fidelity is a financial services company offering brokerage, retirement planning, and wealth management. Known for its mutual funds and research tools, it caters to both novice and experienced investors with in-depth market insights and comprehensive trading platforms.
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Google Keep
Google Keep is a note-taking and organization app that syncs across devices. It lets you create notes, lists, voice memos, and reminders, with color-coding and labels to keep track of ideas and tasks in a minimalist interface.
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Robinhood
Robinhood is a commission-free trading platform aimed at simplifying investing for a broader audience. Its mobile-first design supports trading in stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies. Features like fractional shares and social media-like feeds appeal to new-generation investors who want transparency and accessibility.
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Google Takeout
Google Takeout is a service that allows users to export data from Google products such as Drive, Photos, and Gmail. It provides a convenient way to back up, migrate, or archive your personal content in various file formats.
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Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab provides brokerage, banking, and advisory services, catering to both retail and institutional investors. It offers commission-free trading, robo-advisors, and extensive research tools, making it a hub for long-term wealth planning and active trading alike.
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Coinbase
Coinbase is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, enabling secure trading of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets. With a user-friendly interface and regulatory compliance, it’s often the first stop for newcomers to crypto investing.
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Chase
Chase is a leading U.S. financial institution offering banking, credit cards, and lending products. It boasts a large network of ATMs and branches, along with a user-friendly mobile app. Customers also use Chase for investment and retirement accounts through its parent company, JPMorgan Chase.
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Cash App
Cash App, by Block (formerly Square), is a mobile payment service that lets users send money, pay bills, and buy Bitcoin. It also offers a customizable debit card, direct deposit, and investing features, including stocks and ETFs.
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PyCharm
PyCharm is a JetBrains IDE designed specifically for Python development. Features include smart code completion, on-the-fly error checking, and robust refactoring tools. It integrates with frameworks like Django and Flask, making it a favorite among web developers and data scientists.
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Personal Capital (Empower)
Personal Capital, now known as Empower, is a comprehensive financial management platform that consolidates banking, investing, and retirement accounts in one dashboard. Users can track net worth, analyze spending, and receive tailored advice. Paid services include wealth management and professional financial planning.
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Pandora
A personalized music streaming and internet radio platform powered by the Music Genome Project. Users create stations based on favorite artists or tracks, with algorithms tailoring subsequent song choices. Its curated approach to discovery remains a hallmark feature in the streaming landscape.
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Roku
Roku provides streaming devices and an operating system that consolidate major platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ into a single interface. With a channel store offering both free and paid content, Roku has become a go-to streaming solution. The brand also produces Roku-branded smart TVs.
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Suno AI
A startup specializing in audio and speech technologies. It provides APIs for text-to-speech, voice conversion, and other advanced linguistic models. Developers leverage Suno’s offerings to build applications with natural, expressive voices and high-level language processing.
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Discord
A communication platform popular with gamers, creators, and online communities. It supports voice channels, video calls, and text-based chat servers (known as “servers” or “guilds”). Custom bots, screen sharing, and community moderation tools help bring people together for collaboration or socializing.
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Crackle
A free, ad-supported streaming service featuring movies and TV series. Owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, it updates its catalog regularly with classic hits and original programming. With no subscription needed, Crackle provides an accessible option for cost-conscious viewers.
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Apple TV
Apple TV is both a streaming device and an app offering access to Apple’s original programming via Apple TV+. It also aggregates content from popular streaming platforms, functioning as a centralized hub for digital entertainment. The interface and Siri integration emphasize ease of use.
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AutoCAD
Autodesk’s flagship CAD software for 2D drafting and 3D design. Architects and engineers use it to draw, annotate, and model building layouts or mechanical components. Its broad industry adoption stems from precise tools, extensive libraries, and reliable file formats (e.g., DWG).
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Inventor
Inventor, by Autodesk, is a mechanical design and 3D CAD software suite. It features part and assembly modeling, structural simulation, and automated drawing creation. It integrates seamlessly with other Autodesk products, making it a staple for engineers and drafters managing complex designs.
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Solidworks
3D CAD software widely adopted in mechanical engineering and product design. It supports part and assembly modeling, simulation, motion analysis, and technical documentation. Used in industries from automotive to aerospace, it facilitates detailed design workflows and collaboration.
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Plex
A media server platform that organizes and streams your personal movie, TV, and music libraries. It can run on a home server or network-attached storage device, then serve content across devices. The optional Plex Pass unlocks extra features like mobile sync and live TV.
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VirusTotal
A free online service that aggregates antivirus engines to scan files and URLs for malware. Researchers often use it to identify malicious indicators and gather threat intelligence. Its crowd-sourced approach helps quickly detect and catalog emerging security threats.
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BitLocker
Microsoft’s built-in disk encryption solution for Windows machines. It leverages a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip or passphrase to lock data at rest. By encrypting entire drives, BitLocker protects against unauthorized access, even if physical hardware is stolen.
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GPT-4o
GPT-4o (often referred to as GPT-4) is OpenAI’s advanced language model, recognized for its improved reasoning, context handling, and creativity. It can perform tasks such as drafting documents, coding, and answering complex questions. With an expanded context window, GPT-4o significantly reduces factual and logical errors.
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Gemini
Google DeepMind’s forthcoming AI project, aiming to merge strengths of large language models with advanced reasoning abilities. It seeks to tackle complex problem-solving scenarios using cutting-edge architectures and extensive training. Expectations are high for breakthroughs in generative and analytic AI.
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Claude
An AI chatbot developed by Anthropic, designed to generate safer, more reliable text. It excels at conversation, summarization, and content creation, thanks to a unique training process focused on ethical and controllable AI. Its approach aims to reduce harmful or biased outputs.
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Yubikey
A hardware security key manufactured by Yubico, used for two-factor and passwordless authentication. Compatible with FIDO2, WebAuthn, and other standards, it can protect logins to online services. By requiring physical presence for authentication, YubiKey adds a robust layer against account breaches.
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Spotify
A global music and podcast streaming service with an extensive library of songs and exclusive shows. It offers free ad-supported listening or premium subscriptions for ad-free playback, offline downloads, and higher audio quality. Personalized playlists like Discover Weekly have become a user favorite.
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Experian
A global credit bureau that compiles consumer and commercial credit information. It offers free credit reports, monitoring alerts, and identity theft protection. Businesses use its data analytics for risk assessment, while consumers can track and improve their credit health.
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TransUnion
A credit reporting agency providing credit scores and risk management tools. Consumers can dispute errors and monitor their credit through TransUnion’s online dashboard. Businesses rely on its analytics to assess creditworthiness and detect fraud, using up-to-date consumer financial profiles.
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Equifax
A major credit reporting bureau that collects consumer financial data to generate credit scores. Beyond credit reports, it offers identity protection, monitoring services, and analytical tools for businesses. Its data influences lending decisions, making accurate reporting and security vital for consumers.