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Straight version of gay hook-up app Grindr released today
By James Brady RyanSeptember 8th, 2011, 4:00 pmComments (20)
If you are not a gay man, or don't have a friend who is a gay man who openly discusses his sex life, you might not have heard of Grindr, the phone app that presents fellow users in order of physical distance and allows you to chat with them, send them pictures, and eventually meet up for casual sex. (Some people say they only use Grindr to make friends. These people are liars.) I myself have it on my phone¹, probably because it feels less weird than Craigslist's casual-encounters section², and I've often shown it off to my straight friends. Every single one has the same two reactions: one, it's too bad there's no straight version of that, and two, a straight version would never work.
Well, now we have a chance to find out if they were all right, because the people behind Grindr have just released Blendr, the heterosexual version with an infinitely unsexier name. Here's a quick rundown of all the things you can do with the app:
People can send quick messages to one another through the application, and they can use it to post status messages on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare, if they choose. The application also offers a check-in feature so that users can broadcast their location to others using the app when they are at a concert or coffee shop.
But the application also incorporates several privacy features so that users can decide who sees them and when. The application doesn’t show an exact location, just a rough estimate of how far away a user is — such as 25 or 300 feet. In addition, the app offers several ways to control who can see your profile. For example, 25-year-old women using the app who decide they want to meet only 25-year-old men can adjust their settings appropriately so their profile is only visible to that group.
I have no idea if Grindr can do these things, however, because I don't pretend I have the app on my phone to facilitate Twitter updating or connect with other jai alai enthusiasts or whatever. Help me out, straight readers: do you think this can become a big hit?
¹Once I saw a family member on there. It was an unfortunate moment.
²I bet it's just as serial killer-y, though.
Commentarium (20 Comments)
I expect to see a sausage stampede every time a woman pops up on the site.
Exactly. It might get some interest initially and adventurous women might even try it, but they'll soon get fed up of being grossed out at a rate of 1000 mps (men per second) and leave.
It will be like "running of the bulls"
Moops is dead on. The gender imbalance will be embarrassing.
Also, come on: Blendr?
They might have copyright issues. There is a music magazine called Blender.
No shit, Sherlock.
Not really. It would be a trademark issue and most likely Blendr the APP does not infringe on Blender the Magazine.
I don't see the difference between the two. They're both going to be 100% male.
I have thankfully never encountered a family member on Grindr but have had few unexpected hook-ups through it including with a former coach/teacher from my high school earlier this year and met my current boyfriend, who I have been working with for over 2 years and never knew he was gay until we met on Grindr.
My god. If people are looking to get laid, go back to school and sign up for a conservation class.
Mmm yes, save the spotted owl.
So you're saying, give a hoot, and you won't have to self-pollute?
They should name it "Findher?"
Is there a rapist or serial killer pop up notification?
Is there a way a girl can set it so only hot guys she's attracted to can find her? No? Then forget it.
P.S. "Sausage stampede" is quite the visual. Laugh!
This ain't gonna work.
Contrary to popular belief in the comment section, I think this is gonna catch on in a big way if they can keep it running long enough. Methods of dealing with the "sausage stampede" will get developed and people who wish they had more opportunities to meet people will get what they want.
Ho ho, who wuodla thunk it, right?
Where do I sign up!!!!
I've been waiting for this!!!!!
I have a friend who is a member on grinder & have been saying
We straights need one of these lol
im a 40 yr old straight female just looking to meet new black men have basically been single for 2yrs that doesnt mean im desperate just want to meet some nice ppl talk and see where things go