The Brainchild of Goodreads Co-Founder Otis Chandler
After a successful stint at building Goodreads, one of the largest book communities online, co-founder Otis Chandler is back with a new app that aims to revolutionize the way we consume content online. This time around, his focus isn’t on books; it’s on the vast expanse of the internet, where users can discover and engage with long-form content like never before.
The Birth of Smashing
Smashing, the latest brainchild of Chandler, is an invite-only app that brings together AI-driven curation with community-driven discovery. Launched with $3.4 million in seed funding from top venture capital firms, this startup has the potential to disrupt the way we consume online content.
How Smashing Works
So, how does it work? The app uses AI technology to summarize news articles, key excerpts, and interesting pull quotes. It also helps identify topics and threads of interest to individual users. However, the real "magic" happens when the community works in conjunction with the AI. Users can like, save, comment on articles, and even vote on content they find interesting.
A Community-Driven Approach
Unlike other apps that aim to replace traditional reading experiences, Smashing is designed to drive traffic to online publishers. Chandler argues that this approach not only benefits readers but also publishers who need more eyeballs on their work. "We really designed Smashing to be something that helps you curate interesting, long-form content and drives readers to it," he said.
The Benefits of Long-Form Content
Chandler is a firm believer in the value of long-form content. In an era where bite-sized news snippets dominate our feeds, he argues that the internet is increasingly full of gems waiting to be discovered. "There’s a narrative out there that the internet is increasingly full of junk," Chandler said. "And I think the internet is increasingly full of gems that have to be unearthed."
The Team Behind Smashing
Smashing has a talented team behind it, including co-founders Mike Mraz and Dan Barrett. With their combined expertise in software architecture and LLM (Large Language Model) development, this startup is well-positioned to make waves in the tech industry.
The Future of Smashing
As Smashing launches into its private beta phase, users can expect an exciting experience that combines AI-driven curation with community-driven discovery. With its focus on driving traffic to online publishers and promoting long-form content, this app has the potential to become a game-changer in the tech industry.
Join the Conversation
Want to be part of Smashing’s journey? Sign up for the private beta now and join the conversation around the future of online content consumption. Follow TechCrunch for more updates on this exciting startup!
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