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Finding Love With Twitter and Netflix
Successfully navigating the seas of online dating can be a daunting and, some would argue, impossible feat. Sifting through profiles and trying to attach human qualities to otherwise cliched online personas is often arduous enough to deter even the most hardy romantics. A new approach to online matchmaking, featured at NYTimes.com, hopes to revolutionize the game. Started by divorced entrepreneur Steve Odom, Gelato transforms the online dating convention of carefully manicured, pre-meditated personal profiles into more "real-time" displays that build personalities based on an individual's online activity (check out the "signing up" video after the break). Users create an initial profile by importing data from their Facebook or Twitter accounts. From there, they can then choose to "sync" their account to a variety of other sites, such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, last.fm, or different social networking sites. The Gelato account will then track the user's activity on the selected Web sites, and make that information public. If you buy a book on Amazon, for example, or stream a certain TV show on Hulu, the activity will show up on your Gelato page, supplementing your basic information, and fleshing out otherwise static personal information. Gelato singles also have the option to search for potential partners based on shared interests or tastes.
'Intimacy' Device Lets Long-Distance Lovers Express Affection With Light
Cell phones and computers have made it much easier for long-distance lovers to remain romantic. However, text messages and e-mails lack that intimate touch. While it's still not quite the same as being there, a new device from Distance Lab aims to keep that flame burning strong in long-distance relationships.
BBC News reports that the Mutsugoto, which has been in development for nearly two years, will be tested this weekend by a couple in Edinburgh and London. Here's how this weird device works. Each person wears a touch-activated ring. When the person living in Edinburgh, for instance, moves his or her hand, a camera detects the movement and transmits signals to a mechanism that displays a beam of light on the person living in London. Essentially, the system enables you to draw on your significant other's body with beams of light. The device is meant for use in a private place like a bedroom, which would lend a different level of intimacy than, for instance, using a cell phone in public.
This is definitely one of the more bizarre devices to have come along lately. It just doesn't make much sense. How exactly does a beam of light represent an 'intimate' connection? It seems like Web cams or even a phone call would prove more intimate. After all, what happened to using words to express how you feel? [From: BBC News and Distance Lab]
Doggy Dating Sites Flooding India's Internet
Here in the States, we've got our fair share of pet-related social networking sites (DoggySpace, Fuzzspace, and countless others). So far, these seem to be good enough for us. In India, however, netgoers apparently can't get enough of social networks and online dating for dogs, according to Reuters.
DogMateOnline.com, which launched back in 2008, faces competition from sites like the two-year-old PuppyLove.in and the brand new dateyourpet.co.in. These sites are helping dog owners in India find mates for their furry friends and, in turn, find some companionship themselves. Mumbai-based Mekhala Lobo, founder of Date Your Pet and an MBA student, told Reuters, "Believe me, in the dog world, finding a mate is next to impossible."
Castro's Son Fooled by Online Romance
According to BBC News, Antonio's blind spots are ladies and athletics (which we can understand), so Luis Dominguez created 'Claudia,' an imaginary 27-year-old sports journalist, and successfully entered into an eight-month online relationship with the son of the former communist leader. Antonio told 'Claudia,' or Dominguez, about his daily life -- including tales of trips with his uncle and current Cuban leader, Raul Castro. Although Antonio didn't reveal any state secrets, the details he did reveal were enough for the incognito blogger.
Dominguez used his virtual tryst with Antonio to not only point out how easily it was to penetrate the notoriously guarded Castro family, but to highlight the gap between the daily life of a Castro and an average Cuban citizen. After all, Cuba only recently eased restrictions on mobile phones. We do not imagine Antonio will change his lifestyle as a result of this relationship becoming public, especially since Cuban officials have not even confirmed or commented on the situation. For now, it looks like the family plans sweep it under the rug. [From BBC News]
Man Sues Match.com for Hurting His Feelings
Rejection is a cold, hard fact of life. When it comes to dating, everyone's going to get dissed a time or two. While it's never fun, we here at Switched have found that keeping our heads up and moving forward (and watching a few rocket explosion videos on YouTube) works best.
However, some folks, like New Yorker Sean McGinn, do not share our enthusiasm for 'getting over it.' McGinn says Match.com, a popular dating Web site, caused him "humiliation and disappointment" when his message to another user did not result in a reply, according to a report from Metro International. McGinn filed suit in New York federal court Tuesday. He wants unspecified damages for what he calls Match.com's "deceptive practices."
Soldiers at War Finding Dates on the Web
According to USA Today, Internet dating site eHarmony is reporting that the number of military members joining its site grew by more than 50-percent between 2006 and 2008. It may not be Casablanca in the '40s, but the Web is turning into quite the place for deployed soldiers to fall in love.
These days, soldiers don't have to rely on letters anymore -- satellite phones, wireless networks, and war zone Internet cafés have allowed men and women on the front line to stay nearly as connected as they are at home. Aside from keeping up their Myspace and Facebook pages, many soldiers are giving online dating a try.
Dating Sites Boom as Economy Busts
A recent survey conducted for the popular eHarmony.com revealed that 25-percent of women cite the economy as making them more inclined to seek a long-term relationship, according to the Economist. The subscription-based dating site (known for its strict honesty policies regarding user profiles and pictures) currently has more than 20 million members and, apparently, sees its greatest number of visits on days when the Dow Jones Industrial Average falls by more than 100 points. Also thriving is the free dating Web site OkCupid, which has seen its membership triple since September of 2008. The site skews towards younger users, perhaps drawn to its casual Facebook-style approach (profiles aren't subjected to confirmation like eHarmony), and, more likely, the fact that the site doesn't cost a dime to use.
We agree that it's nice to have someone to hold when we're not holding much cash, but you can bet we'll be going dutch when it comes time to hit the streets with our newly-matched online mates. [From: Economist, Via: Consumerist]
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MySpace Will Throw Your Wedding for the Price of Your Soul
We know what you're thinking... "It's my wedding day and it should be perfect." So, why not let millions of MySpace members decide on every detail? It seems that the Web 2.0 has finally hit weddings, although this one comes tethered to enough corporate sponsorships to field a PGA Tour event.
'Married on MySpace' is a new online reality show where voters can select one lucky(?) couple to win an all-expenses-paid wedding, courtesy of MySpace, wedding site The Knot, and Disney. The 13-webisode series begins on May 15th and will follow the chosen couple through the planning process, with every detail -- from the bachelor party to the dress -- determined by MySpace voters. The show is being produced by the same company that brought you 'Fear Factor,' 'Extreme Makeover,' and 'Big Brother,' so expect plenty of cheesy drama and dramatic music.
Think you and your fiance have the sweetest proposal story ever? You can submit a video explaining why, here. The shenanigans start in May with the announcement of the winning couple.
No amount of money would justify giving up our weddings to the masses, but there are plenty of people online who need the attention. Meanwhile, we'll keep our digital dating to sheepish Facebook pokes and Down to Earth memberships. [From: TechCrunch]
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Flirting 2.0 -- How to Make Your Move in the Digital Age
The guide shows how you can start with a Facebook poke to let that special person know you're interested and progress through steps of technological communication to meeting in person. So, please keep in mind that reblogging something on Tumblr might give people the wrong idea about your intentions.
While it's a funny and informative read, please note what the authors say at the end. Sure, it can be good to lay some groundwork online but don't use it as a crutch -- you might end up like that 'Second Life' couple that was in the news. That one still makes us shudder. [From: The Frisky]
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Online Dating Often Leads to Marriage, Study Shows
And really, is this any kind of surprise? How could knowing more about someone before meeting, and then getting to know each other through e-mails before meeting in person be harmful? Okay, there are the risks of meeting a crazed psycho, but honestly, we all run that same risk when meeting someone at a bar. Better yet, some of the dating sites like eHarmony and Parship require you to complete an exhaustive personality test, significantly increasing the odds of you meeting someone with similar interests.
Take for instance Robert Hammond, a 51-year-old worker at Leeds University. "Parship appealed to me because to join you had to complete an hour's worth of psychometric questions about yourself and interests," he told the Daily Mail. "It means you instantly bypass all those people you are least likely to get along with." He's currently on track to marry author Martina Bund after meeting on the site.
Match.com Launches Free Dating Site
Match.com is hedging its bets in the deflating economy by unveiling its new free dating service, Down to Earth. Being new on the scene, Down to Earth doesn't have the user base that Match.com has, but it does offer a RealRatings system to keep members honest. After meeting a person, you'll be able to rank their profile and photos on a scale of one star (she stole this photo from Playboy) to five stars (his nose hair really is that long) based on its accuracy.
We can't help but feel the writing is on the wall for pay-for dating services, but then again we assumed they would have bitten the dust long ago. And you know what they say, "when you assume..." [From: WalletPop]
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Zoos Go Online to Find Mates for Endangered Species
Ed Diebold, director of animal collections at Riverbanks Zoo, explains (to CNN) the need for studbooks: "In captivity, usually these populations are considerably smaller than wild populations, which is why you can't afford to allow animals to inbreed or breed along closely related lines." Many zoo keepers now search out potential mates for endangered species kept in captivity with a simple Internet search. CNN reports that the online databases contain information about age, sex, weight, and lineage, but tend to ignore things like turn-ons and turn-offs. Now, however, the online studbooks are starting to record personality details about the animals in hopes of better matching mates.
Currently, these manuals are often e-mailed back and forth and usually out of date. The new electronic databases will be easy to update and faster to search through. Though the idea of digital dating services for animals may seem strange, they may be key to the survival of rare species in captivity. [From: CNN]
One-Third of Women Who Meet People Online Have Sex on First Date
It's confirmed: Online dating is the way to go if you're looking to get lucky. According to a recent survey published by the Sexuality Research and Social Policy research journal, one-third of women who meet people online have sex on the first date, and a whopping three-quarters of those surveyed do not use a condom. Meanwhile, a mere 27-percent engage in oral sex on the first day.
That's right, online dating is like grazing a lush field of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs).
The high likelihood of sex on the first date is partially attributable to an increased comfort level. According to the survey, having extended or multiple conversations with a person online can decrease the tension and general awkwardness that accompanies a first date. The sense of familiarity not only increases the chances for intercourse, but it also will make a person more likely to cast off better judgment and go sans condom. That, and, of course, alcohol.
They neglected to mention that pretty much 100 percent of men will have sex on the first date -- if given the chance.
Okay, you can stop giggling now.
From News.com.au
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Five Things To Avoid When Dating Online
So the Internet must be a great place to find true love, right? Not so fast. While online dating can be a great way to find someone new, dating sites are littered with scam artists, cheaters, and straight-up liars.
Now, this doesn't mean you should avoid online dating altogether -- just don't believe everything you see out there. In order to help sort out the winners from the losers, we've compiled a list of the top five types of online daters you should definitely avoid, along with some tips to help you save some heartache. Be careful out there, and good luck!
1. Liars
In a recent survey, it was found that most online profiles contain some sort of lie, whether it's the person's age or -- in some cases -- relationship status. White lies -- adding an inch to height or dropping a couple pounds -- are the most common and not a big deal to most people.Consider these facts according to the April 2007 issue of Proceedings of Computer/Human Interaction:
- About 52.6 percent of men lie about their height, as do 39 percent of women.
- Slightly more women lie about their weight (64.1 percent) than men (60.5 percent).
- When it comes to age, 24.3 percent men lie compared with 13.1 percent of women.
How to Avoid Them:
Ask questions. Though it may be listed on someone's profile, someone's age is fair game in the questions department, so feel free to ask your potential date how old (or young!) they are. You may find that 35 suddenly becomes 42. While you don't want to ask too many questions and scare the person away, it's perfectly fair to verify the big things: age, weight, height, and -- most of all -- whether or not that person is, in fact, single. Half the time, people lie on their profiles to get people interested -- nine times out of ten, someone will level with you about their stats once you show some real interest, since they know they might have a chance of meeting you in person.
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