Press Releases

Media inquiries: info@omnidate.com

OmniDate Expands Its Offering with a Plug-in Chat (Jun/10)

June 16, 2010 -- OmniDate Inc., the developer of a plug-and-play virtual dating application for dating sites, has added a plug-in chat to its offering.

“Our aim is to provide a complete solution of communication tools to dating sites,” explains Ravit Abelman, co-founder of OmniDate, “We want to make it easier for our clients to offer a range of dating options to their users.”

“Our members love the new chat,” says Shaun Wolfe, CEO of TangoWire, an online dating network of over 3,700 websites and millions of members, “We are very pleased to see OmniDate expand their offering. We were already using the virtual dating application, and replacing our existing chat with OmniDate’s new tool allowed us to bring all communication technology under one roof.”

Recent survey reveals that online daters regard both communication tools – virtual dating and chat – to be important in the dating process. Nearly three-quarters (72.5%) of survey respondents confirmed that they use both tools. Usage patterns highlight the difference; virtual dates tend to last substantially longer than chats, with the proportion of virtual dates lasting over 60 minutes being almost twice as high as that of chats. According to scientific research, communication tools can matter greatly in the dating process.

A study conducted by Professor Michael Norton of Harvard University and his colleagues revealed that virtual dating helps singles align expectations, and results in greater affinity for each other and more successful face-to-face dates in the real world. (Professor Michael Norton will present his study findings this week at the upcoming Internet Dating Conference in Los Angeles.)

“Having a large database of users is important, but so is having the right set of communication tools to successfully explore that database in search of a potential relationship,” says Ravit Abelman, “Otherwise, a database is just an illusion of choice.”

Survey: Online Daters Enjoy Avatar Dating (Jan/10)

January 12, 2010 -- A recent survey reveals that online daters enjoy virtual dating and regard it as an important part of an online dating experience. The survey was conducted by OmniDate Inc., a digital media company specializing in online dating technology.

Survey respondents overwhelmingly agreed that virtual dating is an important feature when selecting a dating site. Seventy-three percent of respondents indicated that they "prefer dating sites that offer virtual dating" and additional 21% said they consider virtual dating to be a "somewhat important feature of a dating site."

Virtual dating helps singles get to know each other in a fun and safe online environment before meeting in person. On a virtual date, users interact through photo-realistic 3D avatars, listen to music, and play conversation provoking games.

OmniDate surveyed several hundred singles about their virtual dating experience. Eighty-two percent of respondents who tried virtual dating indicated that they enjoyed this approach to online dating. In response to the question about what they liked about virtual dating, users commented: "It is very romantic;" "It's a great way to learn about the other person;" "It's different than most dating sites." Remarkably, 89% of respondents also stated that they would "recommend virtual dating to a friend."

"These results suggest that virtual dating will continue to play an important role in the evolution of the online dating model," said Dr. Igor Kotlyar, president of OmniDate, "Daters are looking for a richer online experience that can help them get to know the person behind the profile in a fun, yet safe, manner before rushing to meet a stranger."

Virtual dating has been gaining in popularity since 2007, when Scientific American described it as the future of online dating. The industry is committed to continuously improving user experience - according to Jupiter Research, only 1 out of 4 users are currently satisfied with online dating sites - and look to virtual dating as one highly promising avenue. In a recently published study, researchers from Harvard University and M.I.T. found that virtual dating significantly improves user experience and enhances real-life dating success. The results of the OmniDate survey provide further confirmation that virtual dating provides a promising direction for the industry.

Virtual Dating Provider Named "Best New Technology" Finalist (Dec/09)

December 7, 2009 -- OmniDate has been selected as a Finalist in the 2010 Internet Dating Industry Awards competition in the category of Best New Technology. OmniDate is recognized for its 3D virtual dating product, designed to be easily plugged into any dating or social networking site.

"Virtual dating is a highly effective way to create real-life relationships, and we are very excited to see the industry nominate OmniDate as the Best New Technology," said Ravit Abelman, Co-founder of OmniDate.

The first annual 2010 Internet Dating Industry Awards competition highlights companies and technologies that represent the best and most innovative aspects of the Internet dating and matchmaking industry. The Awards are hosted by Internet Dating Conference, iDate, and Online Personals Watch. Voting will take place until Jan. 7, 2010 and the Winners will be announced at the Online Dating Industry Award Ceremony on Jan. 28th at the Royal Palm Hotel Ballroom in Miami, FL

Findings: Women Prefer Virtual Dating (Feb/09)

February 1, 2009 -- As the Valentine’s Day approaches, single women may be pleased to discover a new women-friendly way to date online: Virtual Dating. 1 Findings: Women Prefer Virtual Dating

The data presented at the iDate 2009 Conference by Dr. Igor Kotlyar and Ravit Abelman, co-founders of OmniDate, reveals that ‘virtual dating’ has a strong appeal among women users. iDate is the largest annual conference for the Online Dating and Social Networking Industries. OmniDate has been collecting data on usage patterns since launching its browser-based virtual dating application last year.

> Virtual dating generates substantially higher registrations by women;

> Women are 42% more likely to invite someone on a virtual date than to initiate another type of digital communication;

> Women are nearly 3 times more likely to reciprocate an invitation to a virtual date than respond to other forms of digital messages.

“The fact that women are using virtual dating to initiating contact demonstrates that they are very comfortable with this approach to dating,” says Ms. Ravit Abelman. “Women feel safe using virtual dating as the first step in getting to know the person behind the profile and developing a real-life relationship.”

Virtual dating allows singles to get acquainted with each other in a virtual environment (e.g., a virtual cafe) before meeting in person. People interact through photo-realistic 3D characters (avatars), which respond naturally to the typed text and provide a realistic dating experience. An average virtual date lasts approximately half hour, and many last an hour and two.

The results presented by OmniDate are consistent with earlier research, which showed that virtual dating facilitates more disclosure and greater liking of each other. For example, in a study recently published in the Journal of Interactive Marketing, researchers from M.I.T. and Harvard University found that virtual dating results in more successful face-to-face dates.

Even since ‘virtual dating’ was proclaimed by Scientific American as “the next step in online dating” two years ago, this new approach to online dating is being watched closely by the online dating industry. According to Mark Brooks, Editor of Online Personal Watch and a highly respected dating industry consultant, “Virtual dating environments are the way of the future.” The industry is committed to developing women-friendly products, and this year’s iDate conference heavily focused on strategies for improving experience for women dating online.