Ex-Yahoo CEO launches own app

Marissa Mayer, former Yahoo CEO, is launching her first app. With Sunshine Contacts, she has developed an intelligent address book.

From a big internet company into the world of start-ups: Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo is starting small again. Together with her colleague Enrique Muñoz Torres, she founded the start-up Sunshine in 2018. Now it has released its first app, Sunshine Contacts.

So far, the app can only be downloaded by invitation and serves as a smart address book for Apple users. It's supposed to sync contacts from Gmail and Apple Contacts, take out duplicates and merge information. The app is expected to get more features and a premium version over time. Those who use it must store their own contact information - even of a personal nature, which is stored like a business card and is viewable by select contacts. However, the startup says it does not trade in the information or use it for commercial purposes. Mayer told CNBC

that previous digital address book offerings were outdated. Hers would automatically update when an individual changes, say, their cell phone number or email address.

Sunshine was first founded six months after the Yahoo sale under the name Lumi Labs and raised $20 million so far. More apps are planned.