Daze: Creative Messaging for Gen Z



Daze: Creative Messaging for Gen Z

Daze, a new AI-powered messaging app aimed at Gen Z, is making waves even before its official launch. The app's prelaunch buzz is largely driven by its product demo videos, which have attracted significant attention on TikTok and Instagram. Without relying on influencers or paid advertising, Daze has managed to generate around 48 million combined views on these platforms, with one video reaching 8 million views alone. This early success has translated into a booming waitlist of roughly 156,000 eager users, all drawn in by the app's promise of a fresh take on messaging.


Freestyle Messaging Beyond the Bubble

Founded by New York-based entrepreneur Willem Simons, Daze offers an alternative to traditional messaging apps like iMessage and WhatsApp by embracing a creative, freestyle approach to communication. Instead of simple text bubbles, Daze enables users to create vibrant, expressive messages that float across the screen in a dynamic format. Borrowing from the visual flair of social media, users can add photos, graphics, stickers, GIFs, and drawings to their messages, making each chat an artistic experience. The goal is to transform messaging into something more than just text—a playful canvas for creativity.


AI-Powered Creativity and Flexibility

Daze is already using AI to enhance some of its creative tools, and there are plans to integrate even more AI technology as the app evolves. According to Simons, the vision is to create a feature-rich messaging app that competes with mainstream options while allowing users to personalize their conversations fully. With features like dragging messages anywhere within a chat and using different fonts, styles, and backgrounds, Daze combines utility with an unconstrained, freeform design. It's a natural evolution for Simons, who previously worked on a similar messaging app called Muze, which also encouraged creativity in chat. Unlike Muze, however, Daze is entirely Simons' project, and he seems determined to push the creative boundaries even further.


Building Momentum Ahead of Launch

Daze has been carefully refining its user experience through an invite-only beta involving around 1,400 testers, with most users falling in the 13 to 22 age range. Though still in the early stages, beta metrics show promise, with a retention rate of over 50% for users who have actively engaged with the app within the first 60 days. This enthusiastic response bodes well for the app's official launch, scheduled for November 4. The app's development, built entirely in React Native, will allow it to debut simultaneously on both iOS and Android, making it accessible to a wide audience right from the start.


A Strong Start with Backing from Key Investors

Prelaunch, Daze has already secured $5.7 million in funding from major investors, including a16z, Kindred Ventures, and others. The team behind Daze is small but focused, with seven full-time staff and one part-time member mostly based in New York. With a blend of creative innovation, AI integration, and a clear understanding of its Gen Z audience, Daze is positioning itself as a unique player in the messaging app space, ready to challenge traditional messaging platforms with a fresh, fun, and creative approach.



Source:  TechCrunch - Daze, a creative, AI-powered messaging app for Gen Z, is blowing up prelaunch

Image: Gary Cassel from Pixabay

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The New ChatGPT Reason Feature: What It Is and Why You Should Use It

Raspberry Pi Connect vs. RealVNC: A Comprehensive Comparison

The Reasoning Chain in DeepSeek R1: A Glimpse into AI’s Thought Process