Much-lauded startup Qwiki a4a4 an online Wikipedia-esque service that throws displays information with computer-generated voices, images and video a4a4is coming out of private alpha and opening up to everyone today.
The service basically feels like ita4a4s from the future. Actors asking like questions to a computer and getting large swaths of information back is basically a sci-fi trope in movies like Wall-E at this point, and thata4a4s exactly what Qwiki does a4a4 though sans Sigourney Weaver. Users simply type in something in Qwikia4a4s search bar and get a two- to three-minute clip of spoken information and a few pictures or videos.
Qwiki launched its private alpha at TechCrunch Disrupt, an industry conference, in September last year raised $9.5 million from thelikes of Facebook cofounder Eduardo Saverin in a short few months. The service got more than a hundred thousand requests to join the private alpha, according to a spokesperson for the company.
Qwiki has around 3 million topics in its database, ranging from geographic locations like San Francisco to actresses like Natalie Portman (though being a math nerd, I went straight to pages with information on meromorphic functions and the Riemann-Zeta function.) The information presented is surprisingly comprehensive without throwing out a tsunami of facts that might pop up on some of the largest Wikipedia pages.
Doug Imbruce, the companya4a4s co-founder, said the service was going to make its way to smartphones and tablets at Disrupt in the fall. The idea would be to wake up in the morning to a quick feed of some of the most interesting news, weather and traffic data presented in the same style as the rest of Qwikia4a4s pages. Other website owners can also embed Qwiki widgets on their pages for specific topics.
Qwikia4a4s largest investment actually came from Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin. YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim, Juniper Networks co-founder Pradeep Sindhu, Lerer Media Ventures, Tugboat Ventures and Contour Venture Partners also invested in the company.
The new live alpha wona4a4t require any kind of special account to execute searches, but users can still sign up and leave some feedback if they like. There wona4a4t be any kind of cap on the number of users visiting the site or signing up.
Qwiki was the darling of last falla4a4s TechCrunch Disrupt 2010 competition for start-ups, winning a $50,000 prize and the Disrupt Cup. Qwiki was also the runner-up for best technological achievement at this yeara4a4s Crunchies awards a4a4an academy award-style ceremony for start-ups and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley.
Next Story: RIM&'s BlackBerry Balance software to help users manage work and personal data Previous Story: On the GreenBeat: Mazda to launch electric car, BYD and Daimler finalize China electric car design
Print Email Twitter Facebook Google Buzz LinkedIn Digg StumbleUpon Reddit Delicious Google More&8230'
Companies: Qwiki, Wikipedia
Companies: Qwiki, Wikipedia
Matthew Lynley is VentureBeat's enterprise writer. He graduated from University of North Carolina, where he studied math and physics, in May 2010. He has reported for Reuters. He currently lives in San Francsico, Calif. You can reach him at mattl@venturebeat.com (all story pitches should also be sent to tips@venturebeat.com), and on Twitter at @logicalmoron.
Have news to share Launching a startup Email: tips@venturebeat.com
VentureBeat has new weekly email newsletters. Stay on top of the news, and don't miss a beat.
Discuss Add this link to... Bury
Comments