How Tendril is different from bandwidth-sharing apps
Published
Bandwidth-sharing apps like Grass and Honeygain reward you for letting others use your unused internet connection. Tendril works differently. You lend a little of your device's spare computing power, or tap your phone to judge AI answers, and you help build open AI. The data the network creates is a public good.
What bandwidth-sharing apps do
Apps like Grass and Honeygain let you earn rewards for sharing the part of your internet connection you are not using. That bandwidth is then used by others, for example to route web traffic, collect public web data, or deliver content. Both are legitimate, established apps that millions of people use, and for some people that is exactly the trade they want. The thing you give is your connection, and the value flows to whoever uses it.
What Tendril does instead
Tendril does not touch your internet connection. Instead you lend a little of your device's spare computing power in a browser tab, or you tap your phone to judge which of two AI answers is better. Both create open human-feedback data that helps build open AI. The thing of value is that data, and it is meant to be a public good that contributors share in, not a private asset. You also help build AI for languages most models barely speak, like Swahili.
| Bandwidth-sharing apps | Tendril | |
|---|---|---|
| What you give | Your unused internet connection | Your device's spare compute, or a few taps on your phone |
| Reward | Points or cash for the bandwidth you share | TEND Points: your rank, reputation, and proof you helped build open AI. Not money, and we never promise payouts |
| Who owns the output | Whoever uses the bandwidth | A public good contributors share in |
| Why it exists | To resell spare bandwidth | To build open AI in the open |
How is Tendril different from Grass and similar apps?
- How is this different from Grass and similar apps?
- Those rent out your internet connection and keep the value. With Tendril you help build open AI itself, the data the network creates is a public good, and contributors share in it. You are part of the network, not just renting it your bandwidth.
Compare the specifics: Tendril vs Grass · Tendril vs Honeygain · Is Tendril safe?