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An immersive app’s new perspective on black history

Launched in June, the Looking Glass app combines augmented reality with historical archives to connect the past, present and imagined future. Users can travel through Pittsburgh, discovering memories that have shaped the city’s neighborhoods.

Currently, the app primarily highlights East Liberty’s rich history to document gentrification and change in the area over time.

➡️ Learn how founder Adrian Jones combined art and technology to create his app

Entrepreneurial spirit also comes to the fore in small businesses

The region’s entrepreneurial spirit dates back to well-known names like Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick and Henry John Heinz. Back then, manufacturing and steel were the driving forces; today it’s technology and tourism – but the ethos behind building a business hasn’t changed, entrepreneurs told Technical.ly.

Local business owners are starting businesses to become independent and pursue their passions. One owner said, “I wanted to be able to spend more time with my dog.”

➡️ This drives local business owners, from hot sauce manufacturers to pet stores

Social media as a news platform

More people than ever are getting their local news from social media. According to the latest Pew survey, about 23% of Americans say it’s their primary source, up from 15% half a decade ago—and the younger you are, the more likely that is. That’s one reason Technical.ly is on these platforms. At least some of them.

Our latest move is to post regularly on Threads – follow us at @technical_ly – but we’re also very active on LinkedIn, which makes sense as the platform of choice for the innovation ecosystem because it’s so heavily business-focused. We’re rethinking our strategy for Instagram (if you have any suggestions, let us know) and we’re also continuing to post on Facebook. Final note: starting this week, we’re moving all X posts to our main account instead of market-specific feeds, so follow us if you’re still there.

➡️ Thanks for reading – see you on LinkedIn?

News Incubator: What else you should know

• The Department of Transportation has awarded $200,000 to local startup Velo AI, a 2024 RealLIST Startup. The funds will be used for sensors that collect data on bike and car safety. (DOT/Technical.ly)

• Pittsburgh continues to rank fourth — behind Chicago, Minneapolis and Indianapolis — in the Midwest’s best startup cities rankings. Big funding rounds from Skild AI and Abridge this year helped the city fend off the rise of Columbus. (Midwest Startups)

• The ARM Institute and Manufacturing USA are staging two panels for SXSW, one on women in manufacturing and another on the future of factories. You can vote between now and August 18 if you want to see them on stage in Austin. (ARM)

• The Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center received a $4.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation to fund major upgrades to its flagship Bridges-2. (PSC/Technical.ly)

• The Baldwin-Whitehall School District will use AI to plan its bus routes next school year. In a partnership with technology company HopSkipDrive, so-called “CareDrivers” will assist bus drivers on smaller routes. (KDKA)

• An effort to expand online connectivity in Westmoreland County is about 60% complete, commissioners said. The $3.5 million project is expected to provide reliable broadband to 3,500 homes and businesses. (TribLIVE)

• Twenty local companies made Inc.’s list of the 5,000 fastest-growing companies. Names include gift card e-commerce company Wolfe, fintech company IRALOGIX and cybersecurity company GreyMatter. (Inc.)

• We’re hiring! Help me find a great journalist to join the Technical.ly team covering Pittsburgh’s innovation economy. (Technical.ly)

In the calendar

• If you’re quantum savvy, Professor Georg Schmidt from the University of Halle will be giving a talk on 3D YIG nanoresonators at CMU on August 16. (Read more)

• Bring a board, card or computer game to HackPGH on August 16th to play and interact with local engineers. (Details here)

• Join Pitch and Run PGH and start your Friday morning with a run. The next weekly event is August 16. (Register)

• Meet other game developers in real life, both professionals and hobbyists, for a relaxed networking event on August 17. (Learn more)

• Leave your work mind behind for a night at the Pitt Tech Council’s Summer Slam Mixer. The August 21 event at Kingfly encourages socializing and casual conversation. (Register)

Before you go…

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