Category: Outlets – Tech Crunch
Bumble Acquires French Gen Z Dating App, Fruitz
TECH CRUNCH – Bumble is adding the fast-growing French dating app Fruitz to its family of apps. Deal terms were not being disclosed. The quirky app Fruitz assigns a fruit to each particular kind of relationship type, ranging from those who want long-term commitments to those in search of one-night action. This allows users to filter out those who aren't on the same page as them. It also prompts users to answer questions that serve ice breakers before messaging their match. Fruitz was co-founded by Julian Kabab (CEO), Fabrice Bascoulergue (CTO), and Arnaud Ruols (CFO) and initially launched in France in Feb, 2017. To date, Fruitz has been downloaded 5.6M times globally across the App Store and Google Play, according to Sensor Tower. As of Feb. 3, 2022, the app was ranked No. 4 on the iPhone's top free charts in the "Lifestyle" category in its home market of France.
by Sarah Perez
See full article at Tech Crunch
This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.com
Apple to Charge 27% Fee for Dutch Dating Apps Using Alternative Payment Options
TECH CRUNCH – Earlier today, Apple updated its documentation page that explains how developers of dating apps can take advantage of alternative payment systems in the Netherlands. It's a fairly technical document. But it also says that Apple plans to charge a commission to app developers. Essentially, developers get a 3% cut on the App Store commission as Apple doesn't handle transactions. But the company still thinks it's fair to charge a 27% commission for the various services that it offers. If you're an app developer with users in multiple countries, which is pretty common with dating apps, you can't submit the same app binary. Development teams will have to compile and submit two different binaries – a Dutch app and a non-Dutch app. Apple wants to make it as difficult and expensive as possible to use a third-party payment system. Chances are most developers will just keep using Apple's in-app purchase API.
Tinder Updates Its Approach to Handling Reports of Abuse and Harassment
TECH CRUNCH – As a result of its ongoing partnership with nonprofit and anti-sexual assault organization RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), Tinder announced a handful of product improvements as well as training for internal teams to better support survivors of abuse and harassment. Soon, Tinder members will have access to background checks on their matches through Garbo, a non profit Match Group invested in last spring.
Meta Closes Video Speed-dating Service, Sparked
TECH CRUNCH – Meta (Facebook) is shutting down a video speed-dating service it tested out in 2021. Sparked daters cycle through short "video dates" during a preplanned event with locals in select markets, including Chicago. They also hosted several "global" date nights and events for LGBTQ, and certain demographics and age groups. Sparked users had 4-minute dates, with optional 10-minute dates, and contact info sharing. Sparked experimented with audio only dating. Facebook Dating, soon thereafter launched Audio Dates. Tuned, an app for couples, was made by the same team. The experimental app 'NPE Team' has offices in Lagos, Nigeria, and is staffing another in Asia. It's also planning to look externally for new ideas, and making seed investments.
by Sarah Perez
See full article at Tech Crunch
Mark Brooks: Perhaps it's time OPW started doing app reviews. What do you think? Watch this space for a review and critique of Tuned.
Tinder Is Partnering With Spotify for a New ‘Music Mode’ Feature
TECH CRUNCH – Users will hear a 30-second looped preview of a potential matches' chosen song while checking out their profile. Users who link their Spotify accounts and add a chosen song, called an "Anthem," to their Tinder profiles will be able to enter Music Mode. It's worth noting that Tinder and Spotify first partnered in 2016 to launch the Anthem feature, which allows users to add music to their dating profiles. This latest integration is a new way for users to discover their potential matches' favorite songs. Music Mode will be rolling out to Tinder users globally, in all markets where Spotify is available, in the coming weeks.
Match Group Details Plans for a Dating Metaverse
Tinder’s ‘Swipe Night’ Returns November 7
TECH CRUNCH – Tinder is bringing back "Swipe Night," its interactive in-app event that allows its users another way to break the ice. After the first season's "choose your own adventure" apocalyptic storyline brought in ~20M users. "Swipe Night: Killer Weekend," will kick off on November 7th at 6 PM.
Hinge Launches ‘Voice Prompts’ Feature
TECH CRUNCH – Voice Prompts will allow users to answer a prompt through a 30-second voice recording. The new feature is rolling out globally. The company says 65% of its users say they believe hearing someone's voice would help them determine interest in a match, and 75% of users said it's difficult to feel connected with a match when their conversation is limited to just text and photos. Hinge also plans to launch a new "Voice Notes" feature later this fall. Bumble and Happn both have voice note features. Additionally, a new app called String lets users only communicate through voice notes.
Audio-First Dating App, Heart to Heart, Raises $750K
TECH CRUNCH – Heart to Heart has raised the pre-seed round of $750K. "The main thing we are trying to accomplish with the $750K is to focus on building our iOS app, and making LA our first launch market," says CEO Joshua Ogundu. "Dating is such a local experience, and it makes sense to us to build and improve locally, then scaling it up from there."
by Haje Jan Kamps
See full article at Tech Crunch
This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.com