TECH CRUNCH – Snap's in-house Yellow accelerator program, which invests in startups, has debuted its fifth batch of investments. The company invests $150K in each Yellow startup for an equity stake as part of the accelerator program, which first launched in 2018. The startups will receive mentorship from Snap executives and will also get access to networking opportunities. The eight companies that are part of the latest batch of startups will take up a 13-week residency in one of Snap's buildings in Santa Monica, California. Blink Date, a voice-first dating app that matches users for 10-minute voice conversations, is one of the companies.
Month: April 2022
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Tinder Tests Profile Verification With ‘Liveness’ Facial Recognition
GRATISDATINGTIPS – Tinder has started testing a new form of profile verification using a video called "Selfie Verification." The feature is rolling out in selected test markets. To verify that users are who they say they are, Tinder introduced photo verification in 2020. This feature allows users to authenticate themselves through a series of real-time posed selfies (photos), which are compared to existing profile photos using human-assisted AI technology. The video verification is done with technology from FaceTec, a company that specializes in facial authentication, according to code from the Tinder (Android) app. Although the partnership has not yet been officially announced, FaceTec itself confirms that Tinder uses the technology on its website. The advantage of FaceTec technology over current photo verification is that it is not based on 2D photos but on 3D images. The technology also tests whether the user is physically present by matching them with their photo ID or 3D FaceMap created from the profile photos. FaceTec's AI would also be able to create a 3D age estimate for each verified user, allowing potential minors to be flagged by the app. The code in the Tinder app also reveals that Tinder will offer the possibility to scan a passport – both with the camera and with NFC.
Filteroff to Host Speed Dating Event for Boston Marathon Runners and Fans
BOSTON GLOBE – Filteroff, a video speed dating app, is hosting an April 11 event for people attending the Boston Marathon as runners, friends, family, or fans. Users will be matched with up to "eight people, based on their preferences. The dates will last ~3 minutes," explained Zach Schleien, co-founder of the Filteroff. Filteroff launched in February of 2020 – a complicated time to start a dating business. But Schleien said the pandemic changed people's perceptions of video dates. "We've hosted ~13K virtual speed dating events."
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Ritestream Partners With Planet Theta to Screen Films in the Dating Metaverse
PR NEWSWIRE – The partnership provides ~82K hours of ritestream licensed content for Planet Theta's virtual dating experience. The partnership enables couples to date and socialize from the comfort of their own home, utilizing Oculus and Steam VR headsets. The average movie theatre ticket cost in the U.S. has increased by 11% over the last 5 years. The price hike has compounded a Covid-hit industry, with ticket sales in the U.S. declining from 1.4B in 2009, to 498M in 2021. As movie theatres urgently rethink their offering, virtual dating cinemas provide a unique experience to connect with like minded members. ritestream is the platform for the creation and monetization of film and TV NFTs from allrites, the global marketplace. Planet Theta is the world's first virtual reality dating app, creating real connections in a virtual world.
‘Single Shaming’: Why People Judge Singles
BBC – Asking why someone is 'still' single and assuring them they'll 'find their person soon' may seem like thoughtful, even sensitive, ways to check in on single friends. However, these simple phrases constitute 'single shaming' – and they're likely to be more harmful than helpful. Data from a survey by dating service Match, shows 52% of 1K single UK adults reported experiencing single shaming "since the start of the pandemic", likely due to the increased focus on whom people could rely on during lockdowns. And even though 59% said they were "content with their relationship status", they still were the target of intrusive questions. Match asked about the common "shaming phrases" single people have heard from others, and 35% said they were told "you'll find someone soon". 29% heard "you must be so lonely", while 38% reported general pity over their relationship status. Bumble's research from October 2021, showed that 53% of Bumble users surveyed "realized that it's okay to be alone for a while", thanks to the pandemic.
Tinder Crushes the Dating App Scene, but Its Rivals Are Winning Hearts
by Sara Lebow
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Newcastle Based App Safer Date Wins StartUp Award
NEWCASTLEWORLD – Dating app Safer Date has been named one of the region's most exciting businesses. The app was founded by Elaine Parker to keep criminals away after experiencing abuse herself. Safer Date was acknowledged by the StartUp Awards National Series, a new awards programme launched to recognise startups across the UK. ID and criminal background checks are mandatory for Safer Date users.