MakeFriends: ‘Net Romance Plus GPS

A novel iPad app is trying to link the ease of meeting online with the far trickier proposition of the live first date.

As a GPS Map based social networking system for the iPhone, iTouch and iPad, Friends can see and reach out to thousands of local people. This finally makes local meet ups possible for dating or making friends. Users may create extensive customizable profiles to find and attract those they are interested in.

Among MakeFriends’ features:

• Push to alert them when they get a IM chat request or a new photo.

• Email alerts them when someone has looked at the profile.

• Headline for each user. Describe their self or interests in 30 characters for the Twitter like, quick list view.

• Add Background wallpaper to their profile.

• Add a YouTube video to their profile to add Buzz.

• Set their location based on their GPS or manually set it anyplace in the world for free.

• Change miles to kilometer, both ways for worldwide use.

• Send pictures to others when they are not online at same time.

• Shows how many people are online now.

• News for the dating community

MakeFriends also includes tutorials to make their profile rock, helps, how to make friends and other community news and announcements; newest people; people that they have talked to or viewed their profile; most popular male and female this week; friendliest people talked to most people this week; Show and tell i.e., sent most photos per week; best profile of the week.

Users fill out their profile and indicate the age, gender and common interest(s) of the person they would like to meet. Then it is up to them to take the next step to message or reply to others for that “personal connection.”

For advertisers, MakeFriends is a way to connect with the 18-35 and 25-54 demographics most valued by marketers. Favored categories of advertising track dating experiences; restaurants, art outlets, clothing, personal appearance and travel are categories that marketers should exploit on dating sites like MakeFriends.