The Next Chapter of Readwise: Our Own Reading App

The Next Chapter of Readwise: Our Own Reading App

Why do we spend hours reading a book only to forget nearly everything we understood in the moment? Shouldn't software help us internalize the knowledge we want to apply to our personal and work lives? These questions have driven Readwise to create a fully-integrated reading app with the aim of improving the practice of reading through software.

Traditional publishing and distribution models have been disrupted by technology, but the experience of reading remains largely unchanged. In the U.S. alone, publishers made almost $26 billion in revenue last year, with print books accounting for $22.6 billion and e-books for $2.04 billion. This reveals that there is still a demand for physical books and that reading technology has not yet fully evolved.

During the late 2000s, there was a brief period where it seemed like reading technology was set to flourish. The advent of Kindle, Pocket, Instapaper, Google Reader, Goodreads, and others signaled a new era. However, in hindsight, it becomes clear that this era was more focused on controlling the distribution of content in the mobile-first world rather than advancing the practice of reading itself.

Readwise initially focused on what happens after you read, specifically addressing the problem of retention. To get more out of reading, we need to forget less. This led to the development of a reading app built on a local-first foundation, enabling fast and comprehensive search of your entire library of books, articles, annotations, and highlights. With this app, you can easily find any information you need, even if you only remember a single word. It also works offline, ensuring accessibility at all times.

Content overload is a common problem as we save more things than we can actually get through. This leads to overflowing inboxes and digital graveyards. Recognizing this issue, Readwise aims to conquer content overload by providing a highlighting feature as a core part of the reading app. Highlighting allows readers to engage with the text and make it easier to revisit important passages later.

Unlike other reading apps, Readwise does not aim to make reading a social activity or enable an internet-scale annotation layer. Instead, our focus is on providing a valuable tool for individual readers. We believe there is so much potential in single-player mode that multiplayer features are not a priority at this time.

In the realm of new ideas, it is important not to dismiss proposals simply because they sound preposterous. If a reasonable domain expert proposes an implausible-sounding idea, it suggests they know something you don't. Instead of immediately rejecting such ideas, it is more fruitful to ask questions and explore the mystery behind their proposal. This mindset allows for the possibility of exciting and groundbreaking innovations.

It is easy to attack new ideas, especially when they seem implausible. However, dismissing ideas without proper consideration only stifles innovation. Factionalism and dismissing ideas based on who proposed them are the lowest forms of dismissal. To foster new ideas, we must be open-minded and willing to learn from others, even if their ideas initially seem wrong.

Having new ideas is a lonely business, and those who propose them often face skepticism and resistance. It is important to support these individuals and be willing to learn from their unique perspectives. By helping them, we not only contribute to their growth but also expand our own understanding.

In conclusion, Readwise's own reading app is driven by the desire to improve the practice of reading through software. By addressing the issues of retention and content overload, the app aims to enhance the reading experience and make it more valuable for individuals. The inclusion of highlighting as a core feature and the focus on single-player mode further differentiate Readwise from other reading apps. To foster innovation, it is crucial to be open-minded and embrace new ideas, even if they initially seem implausible. By doing so, we can contribute to the evolution of the reading experience and the advancement of knowledge.

Actionable Advice:

• 1. Embrace highlighting as a core practice in your reading. Engaging with the text and making it easier to revisit important passages can significantly enhance your reading experience and retention.

• 2. Prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to content consumption. Avoid overwhelming yourself with an excessive amount of material and focus on truly valuable and relevant information.

• 3. Be open-minded and willing to explore seemingly implausible ideas. By asking questions and embracing the mystery behind these ideas, you may uncover innovative and groundbreaking solutions.