Proximal Matchmaking
Example
Lovegety is a matchmaking device available only in Japan, which allows users to find potential dates that match their personal preferences in the vicinity. There have been over 600,000 of these units sold in Japan at an approximate price of $21. There are three modes users can pre-select on their device that reflect the mood they are currently in and hence what kind of partner they are looking for. These include “let’s just chat”, “let’s go sing some karaoke” and “get2” modes. The devices can be set to interact with each other when a potential mate is within close proximity (15 feet) or to simply notify a user of others who are currently set to the same mood. Howard Rheingold reflects on technologies such as the Lovegety in his work and urges that as consumers we think carefully about the social implications of these technologies. Rheingold states that ‘loss of privacy is perhaps the most obvious shadow side of technological cooperation systems'. [1]
