Month: November 2005

Zogo.com, Anonymous Mobile Phone Based Dating

Posted on November 30, 2005

Zogocom_1CBS NEWS — Nov 30 — Brett Larson, Tech Editor, reports on Zogo.com's new cell phone based dating service.  "It's amazing what you can do with a cell phone these days…Forget online sites for finding love, your next match could be literally a phone call away."  Instead of using the web to find profiles, you use your cell phone, find a person/profile you like and click to and talk, anonymously.  Zogo's CEO says, "We believe the chemistry is in the voice."  A users says, "You're not giving out your number so there's nervous factor about…Oh I gave my number too soon.

The full article was originally published at Zogo website, but is no longer available.

Mark Brooks: I think Zogo is on to something.  IM, chat, email…hey, how about voice.  But, there's always the concern over privacy…and stalkers. Email me at mark@onlinepersonalswatch.com for your copy of the white paper, "A Guide to Anonymous Phone Calling Services."

JDate Comes Out of the Closet

Posted on November 30, 2005

JTA Global News Service — Nov 29 — For all the nice Jewish boys looking for other nice Jewish boys – and nice Jewish lesbians looking for love – JDate.com has come to the rescue. The popular Jewish online dating site expanded its search capabilities this month to allow gay men and lesbians to seek matches. Gail Laguna, VP Communications, said the Web site's revision came at the request of many Jewish singles. In less than a month, 700 members have registered for same-sex searches. 

Mark Brooks: Will be interesting to see which Christian focused site will follow suit?  Bigchurch.com??  perhaps? Christian Mingle would be most likely as they are now owned by Spark Networks, parent of JDate.  I can't see ChristianCafe.com going gay. 

Dating Sites Crack Down on Convicts

Posted on November 30, 2005

True_1CONTRA COSTA TIMES — Nov 28 — Robert Wells advertised himself on an online dating service as a semiretired physician who enjoys wine tasting, "The Sopranos" and reading science fiction.  But a woman surfing the Web site recognized the Walnut Creek man from another dating site she'd used a year earlier. She told the current service, Dallas-based True.com, that Wells was lying.  Not only had the medical board revoked his license, according to a lawsuit, but he also was a convicted sex offender.  The company sued Wells earlier this month in U.S. District Court in Texas, alleging Wells committed fraud by misrepresenting himself.  "I make a promise to my members," said Herb Vest, TRUE's CEO. "If you are clever enough to get around our site securities, I'm going to prosecute."  TRUE is suing Wells for at least $200,000. "If anyone who's married or has a criminal conviction thinks they can get on our site, go ahead and try me," Vest said. 

Personalization at DateHookup.com

Posted on November 30, 2005

PR WEB — Nov 29 — DateHookup.com attempts to break the mold of traditional dating services by introducing a host of new personalization features. Users can now completely customize the look and feel of their profile by editing the actual HTML and CSS code. Every member gets a personal address, for example: https://www.datehookup.com/ddogg.  RELEASE @ PR WEB

South African Online Dating Report

Posted on November 30, 2005

Nov 30 — I just came across a tidy little report on the South African online dating market at Netucation.co.za.    Apparently, the major South African sites are DatingBuzz, Couples, Galaxy Singles, Lovemail and SexyIntro – Mark Brooks

WorldFriends Enriches Member Communication

Posted on November 29, 2005

WorldfriendsBUSINESS WIRE — Nov 28 — Vivox will power WorldFriends with live text, voice or video chat. Worldfriends operates in 20 different countries and in four different languages – English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean and provides private label online personals. The popularity of online dating across Asia is on the rise. The number of homes with broadband Internet services in the region — already higher than the United States market — is predicted to rise to 176 million by 2010 from 61 million today. Community members will be able to interact with each other among the most popular IM networks including AOL's AIM, Yahoo!, MSN and ICQ.  RELEASE @ BUSINESS WIRE

Graying Singles Adopt New Dating Mores

Posted on November 29, 2005

Graying_single_speeddatersASSOCIATED PRESS — Nov 28 — Older Americans looking for love have taken a cue from young urban singles and are flocking to speed-dating events and online personals sites. Match says registrations among people over 50 have soared 340% since 2000. The American Association of Retired Persons now has a dating advice column in its member magazine.  FULL ARTICLE @ ABC NEWS

Test Adds New Twist to the Dating Game

Posted on November 29, 2005

OrasureNEW YORK TIMES — Nov 27 — A rapid at-home H.I.V. test could be available on pharmacy shelves within the next year or so. Encouraged by a federal drug advisory committee earlier this month, OraSure Technologies in Bethlehem, PA, is expected to apply to the FDA soon for permission to start selling its H.I.V. test over the counter. Now it's available only in clinics. Taking the test involves a simple swab of the gums. Results appear within 20 minutes.  And if the results are negative, certain inhibitions may disappear.   Ken Deckinger, co-founder and chief executive of the dating service HurryDate, said that an easily available AIDS test could quickly reassure a dater of a prospective partner's health. An H.I.V. infection will take anywhere from two weeks to three months to become detectable, so the test can offer no assurances about a partner's most recent sexual history – or fidelity.  Last year 38,685 more Americans were found to be infected with H.I.V.  At least 250,000 Americans carry the virus for years without knowing it.  Getting this quarter-million people to get screened could be the key to reducing the epidemic's toll in the U.S.  FULL ARTICLE @ NY TIMES

Mark Brooks: And my next action, I am calling Orasure to find the person you can talk to about advertising Orasure on your site.  …220 E.1st St, Bethlehem, PA. www.orasure.com.  610-882-1820.  Orasure had sales of $54 million in 2004 with 194 employees.   Ron Picho is VP Marketing.

Niche Dating Sites Match Habits, Pets, Disabilities

Posted on November 29, 2005

SpecialsinglesTHE WASHINGTON TIMES — Nov 25 — Tracy has multiple sclerosis. "I went online and I looked under 'disabled dating' and there was nothing," said Tracey, who debuted Special Singles Online in July 2004. Ms. Saks is one of an increasing number of operators of niche dating sites in an industry that ballooned from $50 million in 2000 to an estimated $490 million this year.  Even traditional matchmakers are finding their way to the Web. The Right One and Together Dating, an offline matchmaking service, is offering a "hybrid" online dating option, ELove.com. CEO Paul Falzone, said the existence of online dating sites has only boosted business for offline services, which cost $2,000 to $5,000 for a lifetime membership. Offline services charge more because they do more of the work, Mr. Falzone said.