Wrinkles launches an app that tells local stories based on your location

In short: Wrinkles is a new iOS and Android app that uses your location to play audio stories about nearby places.

What happened

Wrinkles is launching as an app that acts like an audio tour guide. It uses your phone’s location to surface stories about the places around you, such as buildings, streets, and local landmarks.

The founders, David Stemler and Ryan Hansan, say the goal is to help people learn about where they are without constantly looking down at their screens. Stemler said the idea came from a visit to the British Museum, where he felt he spent too much time matching numbers on walls to a list on his phone instead of taking in the exhibits.

The company says it has built a base map of 1.3 million “Wrinkles,” meaning points of interest, across 177 countries. On top of that, historians, museums, creators, and brands can add their own stories. People can also explore stories remotely by searching and browsing the map.

Wrinkles includes a question feature so you can ask follow-up questions while listening, like asking where the water for the Trevi Fountain comes from. It also has social features, like following other users, saving spots, and sharing custom maps and guides.

Another feature lets users attach personal memories to places, like photos, recordings, and notes about a childhood home or a first date location. The founders say they plan to keep the app free for users, and make money mainly by charging organizations that create location-based experiences, plus earning a share when users book tickets or reservations through partner links.

Why it matters

Apps that explain a city often make people stare at their phones. Wrinkles is trying to make learning about your surroundings feel more like having a guide walking next to you (like a museum audio device, but for everyday streets).

Source: TechCrunch AI