March 17, 2006

By: Shawnee McRoberts
Website: http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com

Looking for a Love Match with No 'Wires' Attached

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, love is in the air, on the mind, and possibly on your wireless phone, thanks to Cingular Wireless' new partnership with Match.com . The happy couple, Cingular and Match.com, is offering the MatchMobile wireless dating service to Cingular's 24 million voice and data customers throughout the U.S.

MatchMobile's cross-carrier service provides Cingular customers the ability to connect with other Cingular members as well as members of other carriers providing the service. With MatchMobile's wireless matching and communication capabilities, Cingular customers can view profiles and photos of MatchMobile members directly on their mobile phone display screen and connect with potential dates in their area, conveniently and anonymously. In a recent survey, most singles (56 percent) believe that using their mobile phone to search for dates and flirt via text messaging will make dating more convenient.

"As wireless technology is continually embraced as a means of enhancing users' lives, it is no surprise to see mobile applications designed to help singles meet and connect with each other," said Jim Ryan, Cingular Wireless Vice President Data Products and Business Marketing. "Cingular is a fun brand, providing our customers with services that reflect and fit their interests -- even matchmaking."

"MatchMobile's expansion with Cingular Wireless provides even more opportunity for singles to connect with potential dates using their mobile phone," said Tim Sullivan, president of Match.com. "Through MatchMobile, single Cingular Wireless customers can now use their mobile phone to search for matches, scroll through member profiles, view photos, and then send chat requests to begin communicating via text message. We think it is a great complement to the online dating experience at Match.com."

Cingular Wireless users can create a MatchMobile personal profile on their mobile phone, including a brief description and photo of themselves and the criteria they are looking for in a potential date. Existing Match.com members can easily transfer their online profile information and photo to the MatchMobile service at the click of a mouse at http://www.matchmobile.com . Once mobile users find their matches, they can send a request to chat, without revealing their personal contact information or phone number, and begin the next stage of flirting. MatchMobile allows busy singles the ability to connect with other eligible singles while on the go, whether stuck in traffic or sitting in a coffee shop.

Currently, MatchMobile matches are made based on the user's profile zip code, but in coming months, the service will be enhanced with location-based technology, so mobile users can instantly know which matches are in closest proximity based on the location of their phone.

MatchMobile, which launched February 2003, is fun, engaging and appeals especially to younger singles who are already using wireless text messaging. Currently 42 percent of MatchMobile users are age 18 to 24. MatchMobile service is available by logging on to http://www.matchmobile.com , or signing up through http://www.cingularwireless.com . The regular subscription fee, which includes unlimited messaging, is $4.99 per month, and can be included on a Cingular customer's monthly bill.

Also See: cell phone glossary.

Author Notes:

Shawnee McRoberts contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com.  An industry resource for the wireless industry featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of phones and service plans.