Many of us carry on love affairs with our smartphones and tablet devices, and it is now also possible to find and nurture love with mobile applications. Whether you are looking to find a mate with similar interests in your vicinity, are in the early stages of courtship, or want to spoil your partner with flowers and chocolate this Valentine’s Day, we have some recommendations that will warm your heart.
So give yourself an early Valentine and download any of these five mobile apps right away.
Cupidtino (iPhone, iPod Touch: free)
Android enthusiasts and those committed to their personal computers need not apply to this new dating service, which appeals specifically to those who are in love with their Apple products. The name is a mashup between cupid and Cupertino, California, which is the town where Steve Jobs headquartered his company a generation ago. Many of the features one would expect from a digital dating service – including the ability to create and browse profiles and send messages to other users – can be accessed for free on Cupidtino. Premium services, which start at $4.99 per month, includes unlimited messaging. If you download the app, make sure to tap into the “One more thing…” lifestyle blog. Apple fanboys and fangirls will know why they named it that.
Crowded Room (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android: free)
Of course you don’t have to restrict your choices of potential mates based on one’s interest in computer hardware and operating systems. Crowded Room helps detect potential partners based on mutual interests found in social networks like Facebook as well as from other users of the service who are in your vicinity. The company’s location technology picks up on where you say you “might go” and other venues where you check-in. As well, users can set privacy restrictions to designate what information is shared with everyone, shared with people at the same location, or a shared with specific “shortlists” that are created.
Fingle (iPad: $0.99)
Think of this app as a Twister for your fingers. The premise of Fingle is for two players to drag up to five buttons of the same color into their associated targets. As it is nearly impossible for two players to do this without rubbing their fingers together, expect moments of innocent intimacy to ensue. The developers recently updated the app with special Valentine’s Day-themed levels out of the more than 50 total. Users will also appreciate the ’70s-style music and imagery to get them in the mood. Before using, make sure to go to the Settings folder on your iPad, tap General and then turn off Multitasking Gestures to enable more than two fingers to manipulate the screen at once.
OpenTable (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android: free)
Whether you are going on your first date or celebrating your 50th Valentine’s Day together as a couple, it’s helpful to make dinner reservations for the big night. The popular and reliable OpenTable.com website has mobile applications for all iOS and Android smartphones and tablet devices. Would you rather order-in instead? Then try GrubHub, a digital food delivery service that is also available for iOS and Android devices.
Scene It? Romance Movies (iPhone, iPod Touch: $1.99, iPad: $4.99)
If you do elect to stay at home on Valentine’s Day, this is a great entertainment option. The official mobile application version of the popular DVD-based game, Scene It? Romance Movies offers 30 different quiz sets and dozens of video clips. There are both multiplayer and single-player modes, so it’s a nice app to have handy regardless of whether you have a date on the big day.
