Pool’s new app turns your screenshots into something useful

For a long time, your smartphone's Camera Roll has acted as a repository for cherished memories and a collection of digital clutter. From recipes and fashion ideas to travel inspirations and humorous quotes, it can often feel overwhelming to manage. Enter Pool, a groundbreaking app designed to streamline this chaos and make your screenshots more useful than ever. Upon installing Pool, users grant the app access to their photo library, allowing it to categorize images into personalized 'pools.' These pools are tailored specifically to the individual user, organizing their saved content based on products, places, or ideas they’ve accumulated over time. Pool stands out in the landscape of digital bookmarking, focusing solely on screenshots. Unlike other tools that manage links and images, Pool leverages artificial intelligence to help users rediscover and act upon the content they intended to revisit. Once a screenshot is uploaded, the app can trace back to the original link. For instance, if you captured an image of a product, it will direct you to the retailer's website. Similarly, if it's a recipe from social media, the app will retrieve the ingredients and preparation steps shared by the author. Co-founder Maxime Junique explained that the inspiration for Pool arose from a common challenge faced by him and his partner, Piet Terheyden. They often found themselves taking screenshots for future reference but struggled to locate them later. "It’s a problem we all share, often without realizing it," Junique remarked. The duo, who initially met in a co-working space, validated their idea through discussions with friends who echoed the same frustrations about forgotten screenshots of design inspirations and other topics. Initially conceived around three years ago, Pool was the first product from their design studio, Spinoff Studio. Despite an early pivot to focus on more lucrative B2B SaaS products, the recent advancements in AI reignited their vision for Pool. Junique noted, "With AI's evolution, it felt like the perfect moment to pursue this concept. We realized that the personal data we all own—our screenshots—represent a largely untapped resource for AI development." The app also treats screenshots as memories that can fade over time. For example, an event ticket barcode screenshot might disappear after the event concludes, while upcoming event flyers can be linked to ticket purchase options, thanks to Pool's AI capabilities. Users can effortlessly search their pools or consult the app’s built-in AI assistant for assistance in finding specific content. Looking ahead, the founders plan to develop a second app that will serve as a personal assistant, with the playful rubber duck mascot becoming a central figure in this new venture. Currently based in Lisbon, the founders are gearing up for a trip to San Francisco to engage with potential investors. Pool has already secured over $2 million in pre-seed funding from notable backers including General Catalyst and Kima Ventures. The app is now available for free download on iOS, ready to help users reclaim control over their digital memories.