Love in the Time of Smartphone

Here is a disturbing fact: the average user spends 79 minutes per day on their mobile phone for Web browsing or use of applications (source: AdMob). Who has time for love and meaningful relationships, when there are post Twitpics and levels of angry birds to fly?

But it's not exactly like that. Contrary to popular belief that technology has destroyed human interaction is significant, you can use your phone in a lot of ways to meet new people and date or improve your existing reports. But beware: sometimes using the telephone as a means of finding love can work against you.

Text messaging

Think of it--when dinner with plans for a date or with your partner or spouse, did you call or text them? Chances are that you did probably most planning via text. Texting is certainly preferable if you are planning a date with someone you don't know very well. Let's face it: calls are awkward, and it is less stressful to send 140 characters telling them where and when to meet you.

But texting can have some interesting implications for budding romances. For example, some people feel the need to text their love interests relentlessly. Whether it's commonplace on their day or texts of type "U Mission," this person show their affection through SMS.

So tread lightly: If you don't respond immediately, they'll probably take it personally. If you're the type who doesn't like a lot of text (or may not have a telephone keypad), is going to have to explain that to them — or gently moves.

Dating site Apps

Meeting people online thought as taboo, desperate and slightly creepy. Thanks to these advertising ubiquitous eHarmony, we now know that normal people, attractive-looking even find love online. And these days, it's even easier to find your future partner on the Internet thanks to mobile versions of your favorite dating sites. Sites like Match.com, OKCupid, and Plentyoffish all have applications for mobile devices that are compatible.

Basically, these applications are designed to provide access to frequently used features of the sites. For example, the app OKCupid alerts you whenever you have a new message, and allows you to match and see who was scoping out. You will also have access to IM clients within OKCupid.

The application allows you to control the Plentyoffish your e-mail messages and display the matches. It also uses a location-based technology to show the games in your area.

One app that may not be familiar with Flirtomatic, part social network and dating site. Most popular overseas in the United States, allows Flirtomatic "flirt" with strangers (or friends) or via the dedicated mobile app or mobile Web (for non-smartphone users who deserve love too). Make a profile, and immediately you are connected to thousands of other profiles. The service seems more like a fun way to lose more time to find true love, but if you're looking for your soulmate seriously, you can find people near you, who share similar interests.

But be wary. That sweet guy with big green eyes who loves puppies as may prove to be an ex-con a-bear who never met a puppy that he does not hate. When I meet people on one of these services, make sure you get in a public place, well lit and friends of alarm in case of necessity to bail.

Location Based Apps

Location based apps that let you control a bar or a restaurant, like Foursquare or Gowalla, are all the rage right now, especially since Facebook has jumped on the bandwagon. Can help friends find each other during a night on the town and are useful for sharing tips on a special hot beverages in the neighborhood.

But these applications are also a good way to keep tabs on your partner. Facebook allows users to control the people are with in a specific place, indicating not only where they are, but they're with. So if your girlfriend just checked in slanted door with her ex-boyfriend, you should check that.

I have also heard of people using these applications to avoid. You are about to hit the gym decked out in your sweat grossest, but--oh, wait--the ex-husband and his new girlfriend just checked. Better to wait until after dark to avoid a confrontation embarrassing.

Facebook will also send you a notification on your mobile phone when one of your friends stores in the same place that occurred. This is nice, because if that girl hot from your club bird-watching stores at your local dive grimy, you can have a small window of time sober and brushing her hair.

For the truly desperate, a handful of apps may indicate places where you might score a date. The lamely called where the Lord to app for iPhone uses the Foursquare API to determine exactly where the most "ladies" are concentrated. Apps like this can help you track other demographics of people, but I'll let you discover those on your own.

Video Chat and other applications

For those with spouses or partners travelling or working abroad, the next best thing to actually around you video chat with them. And now, shouldn't be tied to the PC to get some face to face with your loved one. Most of the high-end smartphones today, as the iPhone 4 G or EVO 4, front cameras have and are preloaded with video-chat software such as Skype or Yahoo Messenger.

Other applications may not be intended for romantics, but can still be used as such. For example, applications that allow you to share grocery lists--as grocery Gadget--are also a means to slip a cute "Love ya!" Note between "bread" and "lettuce."

And what is the most romantic way to ask someone out more by sending them a Google Calendar invite for dinner at Chez Panisse 8 PM? Or take a step further and send your guy or girl a calendar invitation for "Our Wedding" next year, Location TBA? OK, maybe not.