Features

Dating app eHarmony has released a new feature called Video Date, in time to help its users form better connections over its app. This is especially timely as the world shelters in place from the outbreak of coronavirus.

Video Date is a one-on-one video chat service that is available within the eHarmony app. Touting its safety, eHarmony says the key distinguishing parts of its new feature are the security measures the company put in place. No member will be forced to exchange private information such as a mobile number, nor will they be “faced with the additional safety concerns associated with moving to an external platform,” according to the company’s press release. 

Dating app Hinge has just released a new feature called Date From Home, which allows users to let their matches know they are ready for a virtual date.

Hinge’s feature is different from the new in-app video chat option Plenty of Fish is offering, though they are both owned by the same parent company Match Group. Namely, Hinge users can’t video chat over the app (at least at this point), and there isn’t a “community” of livestreams to sort through, or virtual gifts to give and earn as there are on POF.

Instead, as Thrillist described, it’s pretty discreet. There’s a menu at the bottom of the message feed with your match. You can choose whether or not you’re ready to go on a virtual date, but there’s no push notification sent to your match right away if you say yes. Instead, Hinge waits until your match says they want to go on a virtual date with you, too, at which point it activates. In other words, he will never know you wanted to virtual date him unless he says he wants to date you too. Then you are both notified and can schedule your own Zoom or Facetime session.

As a growing number of people began social distancing, they are turning to dating apps for connection – and specifically, logging on to Tinder.

Tinder reported that it received over 3 billion swipes in one day – Sunday March 28th – the highest number ever recorded in the app’s eight-year history.

The company also noted in a press release that daily conversations have increased about 20% across the globe, and the average length of conversations is 25% longer. In the US, conversations have been up an average of 19% and the average length of a conversation is 8% longer.

Dating app Plenty of Fish partnered with The Meet Group to launch a new livestream video feature as more people around the world turn to dating apps for connection. But POF has a rocky history with video chat features, and had come under fire as recently as last year because scammers were creating fake invitations and taking advantage of users trying to access the feature. 

The company hopes that the newest version backed by The Meet Group, which provides livestream technology to apps, will give users a more positive and secure experience. The Meet Group also has a few dating apps of its own – Meet Me, Skout, LOVOO, Tagged and Growlr which use video features. In fact, one of the highlights of the new POF feature is that users can earn diamonds from other users in response to a livestream, which is also a part of Meet Me’s platform. 

Image: Tinder

In the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic that is forcing people to isolate in their homes, Tinder is waiving fees for its premium Passport feature. 

Passport provides a way for people to connect with those outside of their current locations. Previously, it was available through Tinder’s Gold and Premium paid services. With this move, Tinder users can connect for free with friends from their hometowns, or with relatives across country or those living in other parts of the world. 

This offer will be available through April 30th and extend to users all over the world. Tinder hopes that it will encourage its members to virtually connect beyond dating, according to Tech Crunch.

Dating app Plenty of Fish (or POF for short) is rolling out a new feature in the coming weeks to users that allows them to livestream video chat with potential matches.

The free livestreaming feature called LIVE! Is POF’s way of encouraging its users to “date from a distance” according to their press release. The company partnered with The Meet Group, Inc., a livestream technology service, to create the feature. 

It’s simple to use. There’s a “LIVE!” icon within the POF app that members can tap which takes you to a home page where you can see the most popular livestreams. You can tune in to a stream or create your own. It’s a way to “stay connected and create a sense of community from the convenience of home,” according to the company’s release.