TECH CRUNCH – Apr 15 - Tinder released an update today that integrates directly with Instagram, letting users scroll through the Instagram profiles of their potential matches within the app itself. With Instagram inside Tinder, users can click into a user’s Instagram profile and see the most recent 34 pictures, with the ability to click directly into their profile. The updated Tinder also adds common connection information into the mix. Tinder has also included all Facebook interests on users' profile.
Category: Outlets – Tech Crunch
Rendeevoo Dating App Cuts Straight To Cocktails
TECH CRUNCH – Apr 13 – UK startup Rendeevoo cuts to the chase by cutting out the chat element. Users browse profiles and when they like someone they can place "an order" by selecting when and where they want the date to take place, and then pay for it. They are paying for one cocktail at one of the East London bars that Rendeevoo has partnered with. Both parties have to confirm before the transactions are processed. Users can cancel the date up to 30 minutes before without being penalized. The app soft launched in April 2014 and raised ~$150K over the past 10 months, with ~$50K pulled in from crowdfunding via Seedrs.
by Natasha Lomas
See full article at Tech Crunch
This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.
Loveflutter Hopes ‘Promoted Places’ Will Keep The Dating App Free
TECH CRUNCH – Apr 7 – Last week Tinder began experimenting with ads, by tentatively wedging a video ad for Budweiser into the core swipe left, swipe right UI. Alternatively, if users want to go 'ad-free' they can purchase Tinder Plus. Rival app Loveflutter, thinks it's come up with an alternative monetisation strategy. Tying into the app's existing 'Date Ideas' and 'Suggest-a-Date' features, Loveflutter's new 'Promoted Places' ad unit lets advertisers pay to have their listing appear when prospective daters are matched and want to find a place to actually meet offline.
Friendsy Is Tinder For College Students Only
TECH CRUNCH – Mar 17 – Friendsy, an app that launched nationwide earlier this month, aims to connect college students, whether it’s to be friends, date or hook up. The app launched on 40 campuses before its national launch. In the two weeks since, its user base has doubled to ~45K. Users need a .edu email address to sign up. Friendsy is backed by a Princeton University accelerator and as of its launch had raised~$200K from New York angel investors.
Bumble Launches ’”Backtrack” To Take Back Accidental Left Swipes
TECH CRUNCH – Mar 11 – Bumble, the dating app created by former Tinder VP of Marketing Whitney Wolfe, has released a feature called Backtrack that is identical to the rewind feature in Tinder Plus, allowing users to reverse accidental left swipes. Unlike Tinder, however, Bumble users each have three free backtracks, which refill after three hours. If a user needs more than three backtracks, that user can share Bumble on social media sites.
Tinder Plus To Launch Today?
TECH CRUNCH – Mar 2 – Tinder Plus is rumored to launch today for $9.99. Tinder has been testing pricing on the app in a number of markets over the past few months, with prices ranging from $.99 all the way up to $19.99/month. Though sources say that pricing will vary from market to market, they also say that they expect the service to hit the U.S. market at a price under $10.
Coffee Meets Bagel Lands $7.8 Million In Series A
TECH CRUNCH – Feb 18 - Coffee Meets Bagel has closed a $7.8M Series A financing round led by existing investor DCM Ventures. Question Ventures and Azure Capital also participated in the round. Launched in 2012, Coffee Meets Bagel aims to find one quality match for their users every day by using friend-of-a-friend connections on Facebook. IF both parties like their match, Coffee Meets Bagel gives the budding couple a discount on a first date activity, like grabbing a coffee or a drink. Users have 24 hours to respond to a match before it expires.
by Jordan Crook
See full article at Tech Crunch
See all posts on Coffee Meets Bagel
This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.
Rise Of Niche Tinders
TECH CRUNCH – Feb 17 – Tinder-like app keep popping up. There is Hinge for yuppies, The League for elitists, Bumble for shy guys, The Catch for wordsmiths, Meld for black professionals, Willow for those who care about personality not looks, HeavenlySinful for those who want to get laid, etc. Right now, Tinder seems to be sticking with its one-app-fits-all approach with no plans on catering to niches. It’d be wise for IAC to at least explore the idea of building its own Micro-Tinders, adding some more segmentation into its main app. There are a lot of hot people to swipe right, but finding someone who is a good match can take plenty of train wreck dates. Better sorting preferences could connect people who are actually compatible.
A Bot Selects Tinder Dates
TECH CRUNCH – Feb 10 – Vancouver-based developer Justin Long created a software that automates Tinder swiping. The software analyzes the facial features of each potential mate — and then likes or dislikes each based on the users' own previously expressed aesthetic choices. The user is required to make 60 yes/no choices before the bot has enough data to choose on their behalf. The Tinder bot can even start conversations with potential mates.
Bumble Introduces Direct Photo Messaging
TECH CRUNCH – Feb 9 – Bumble, the dating app that puts the ladies in charge, has introduced photo-messaging. “It’s a big risk for a dating app,” said Bumble co-founder Whitney Wolfe. “But we see it as a great ice breaker for girls who want to start a conversation in a more Snapchat-like way.” When a user sends a photo message, the photo is blurred unless the user is holding down on the screen. Whenever the user is holding down and the photo is clear, it’s water-marked with the the sender’s name and a picture of their face. This prevents anyone from sending something that they wouldn’t want forever attached to their identity online.