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.
Category: Outlets – Tech Crunch
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
Tinder Is Releasing a New ‘Plus One’ Feature to Help Users Find a Wedding Date
TECH CRUNCH – Tinder is rolling out a new way for its users to find a plus one for the upcoming end-of-year wedding season. The new feature is accessible within Tinder's Explore section, which launched last month and offers ways to discover matches by interests and more. Starting today, the first 100 eligible Tinder users to join Plus One will receive $460 to help cover the costs associated with upcoming weddings, such as travel, gifts and accommodations.
Apps to Reach Record Highs in Q3
TECH CRUNCH – A new forecast on the state of the app economy indicates the Q3 will see record-breaking revenues spent on apps and games. According to App Annie, consumers worldwide will spend $34B on apps and games in Q3, a 20% YOY increase on spending. Downloads in Q3 will reach a record high of 36B, up 10% YOY, driven by Google Play and particularly downloads in emerging markets like India and Brazil.
Apple Prohibited From Blocking Outside Payment in Epic Ruling
TECH CRUNCH – A judge this morning issued a ruling in California's Epic Games v. Apple case, siding with the Fortnite maker on the topic of third-party payments. Effectively, Apple cannot prohibit developers from adding links for alternative payments beyond Apple's App Store-based monetization. The ruling notes:
- Apple… are permanently restrained…from prohibiting developers from…including…external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms, in addition to In-App Purchasing….
- Also, in S.Korea, a new law forced Apple & Google to allow developers to use their own third-party payment systems.
- Apple will have to adjust its rules. It could choose to require apps to include Apple's own in-app payments option as an option, for example.
by Brian Heater & Sarah Perez
See full article at Tech Crunch
Mark Brooks: This is huge news for dating and social apps of course. Apple will surely appeal, but hopefully this judgement will stand and consumers will be able to enjoy more payment options, albeit at the cost of some inconvenience. Hopefully Apple and Google will be compelled to become more competitve in this new reality. What do you think? Please comment below.