Content producer Zodiak Entertainment has announced the beta version launch of FlirtMaps, a mobile location-based dating iPhone application, which will be downloadable free of charge via the Apple App Store in the UK, US, and Italy in the coming week.
Based on a users current location and dating preferences, FlirtMaps will put forward a selection of interesting people to chat to in the area. Its functionality will also increase in the coming months to recommend local places for users to meet new friends. The application has been developed by Neo Network, the digital subsidiary of the Zodiak Entertainment Group.
FlirtMaps is a new, smart way to meet new people on the go, making digital dating more enjoyable than ever before, says Marco Ferrari, Zodiak Entertainment Chief Digital Officer. Its about real people, looking for real love!
FlirtMaps will soon be available in Spanish and Portuguese, in addition to English and Italian, and a roll-out to 20 major countries, including Brazil, Mexico, India, Sweden and Denmark, is planned for the summer. Neo Network says that FlirtMaps seeks to connect anyone, anywhere in the world with the kind of people they are searching for, as quickly as possible.
Marco Franciosa, Chief Technology Officer at Neo Network, who designed the product, says: We have more than 10 years of successful experience in online dating, and more than 2 million registered users worldwide. We now think that the market is ready for a new kind of product and are really excited about FlirtMaps. Not only is totally free for the user, its really easy to use, as well as being private and discrete.
FlirtMaps initial monetisation model will be based on advertising revenue. It will offer a platform for geo-located advertising and encourage users to collect virtual coins, which offer them extra features, including discounts and free-access to local partner venues such as discos or pubs. When a critical mass of users is met, Neo Network says it will unleash the full potential of the product, increasing the functionality to fully interact with Zodiak Entertainments TV dating formats.
Blackberry, Android and Symbian versions of FlirtMaps are currently in development and Neo Network says it is already working on next steps for extending FlirtMaps applications.