Did you know that with an App, your next date could be just around the corner?  Using your cellphone you can make an instant date based on who is in the area and available for a quick drink. These services (mostly free) allow you to skip the usual online dating stuff and move right into dating. On the apps, users post a simple profile and then broadcast their availability or scan a list of others who have done so.  They can immediately exchange text messages and, if there is a mutual interest, decide where to meet.

This may seem risky, but the operators of these services say they are aware of the potential pitfalls and allow users to control how much information they divulge. It still sounds very risky!

Most users are in their 20’s and 30’s.  Some of these sites are:  Blendr, OkCupid, OKCupid Locals, HowAboutWe and Grindr, which is geared toward gay men.