Apps with benefits: The best apps when you're looking for more than romance
examines a suite of new apps that aren’t just for people looking for a romantic hookup — friendship apps, social media for mums, and business link-ups are all growing in popularity.
From getting the shift to getting hitched, there is an app for everything these days, which is why it should no surprise that you can now find your new best friend or business associate online.
Whether you are a full-time mom or a part-time party-animal, there is now a specific app to connect you with like-minded peeps.
From business opportunities on Shapr, mom-talk on Peanut, or the option of a new BFF on Bumble, you can sort your social life from your phone.
Most people are familiar with making romantic connections via apps such as Tinder, Bumble, or POF, but a lesser-known function of Bumble is also to network with business heads or to swipe among potential platonic matches for a new friend.
The Business and BFF options work the same way as the romantic version. You swipe left for no and right for yes to connect.
If someone you swipe right on also swipes right to connect with you, just like Tinder, the option to chat privately becomes available.
It is strange feeling trying to spark up some genuine chit chat with a complete stranger online.
Sorry, scratch that, it is a strange feeling trying to spark up some genuine chit chat with a complete stranger online — without the undercurrent of sexual friction that exists within the confines of a Tinder or Bumble match where the only thing you have in common is the desire to bone.
Making friends online is harder than it sounds.
Firstly, just like Tinder and the more popular Bumble version of romantic pairing, you pick potential pals based on looks and a small or sometimes non-existent profile blurb.
Most profiles say similar things: Recently moved to the area and looking to make new friends, outside of family.
Another common thread is people saying their best friends had emigrated and they are left behind with no one to hang out with.
One annoying feature on Bumble is you cannot pick a location and there is no distance meter so you end up swiping on people that are not in your area and therefore not practical as social companions on a day-to-day basis.
Another thing to note is the feature is relatively new and does not have the same extensive database as the romantic version of Bumble or, indeed, Tinder.
Regardless, it is an interesting concept and one that I would think has the potential to flourish in the new age.
Another new app that is likely to take off in the near future is Peanut. Peanut is a female-only app for mothers to connect with other mothers.
Each mom has their own profile and the app also has a news feed full of tips, tricks, and advice for new, expecting, and experienced mothers.
Now, as someone who is single and is never having children, I felt a bit of a fake on the app, but it was very well laid out and everyone seemed very friendly — if a bit bemused by my presence on the site.
Like all other social apps, you swipe left to dismiss and right to connect. Definitely, one I will be recommending to the sister who has two kids of her own.
Now, let’s get serious. Forget friendships and think career.
We all know it can be hard to catch a break in whatever industry you are in and getting to know people from your line of work is always beneficial.
Of course, it is always good to pick up tips and to find out about upcoming jobs.
Most people are au fait with the LinkedIn, but not as many people are aware of the even more informal and opportunistic circles of Bumble Bizz and Shapr.
Both relatively new outlets, these apps focus on connecting individuals that may be of use to each other from a business perspective.
On Shapr, the database of business heads seems to be very limited and you only have a certain amount of swipes within a time frame.
Of course, you can purchase extra swipes, but why would you?
Switching over to Bumble Bizz, there appear to be more individuals using the application, however, you are swiping people from all sectors of society and from all age groups.
From firewomen to baristas, electricians, and massage therapists, I found myself swiping right on people that had absolutely no similarities in occupation, merely because they seemed interesting.
Possibly not the point of the app...
Some people are looking for work, while others are looking to connect with financial investors for banking. More merely wanted to chat with people in similar fields.
While I failed to make a single match, I was far from disheartened from my time on Shapr and Bumble Bizz.
The profile I was using could have done with some work and these apps are in their infancy for what they will achieve in the future.
Should Generation Y jump on the bandwagon, I think this could allow some great collaborations to occur and opportunities to be seized.
The final social app I had a look at was Meetups. This one has been around a while and has a steady following despite being a somewhat underground phenomenon.
The idea of the app is to get people out and about, meeting up for activities. The app gives you the choice of setting up or joining an established group.
The groups can meet for any reason, from socialising, going to see a movie, a book club, or organising regular sports events such as basketball sessions, cycle clubs, or hiking groups.
Testing out the app, I joined a few groups and attended a number of basketball sessions run on a Friday morning at my local gym.
I also tried out the local cycle club and had a very enjoyable 50km cycle with an interesting bunch of like-minded
cyclists.
In terms of ease of use, I would say Meetups is probably one of the easiest and most practical of the social apps I reviewed.
Also the fact that you are meeting groups and not individuals probably makes it easier for people to make the jump from online to the real world.
From all the apps, Meetups was the one that required the least effort and gave the most rewards.
I enjoyed a number of outings with groups of individuals that shared similar interests to me and I also did not feel any pressure to keep going to the group or to maintain contact with the clubs.
With Shapr, Peanut, and Bumble BFF and Bizz, you are dealing with individuals, therefore the interactions are more intense and the whole thing requires more dedication and commitment from you.
Basically, if you are looking for light entertainment in the form of activities, Meetups is the app for you.
However, if you are looking to connect with someone and form a friendship perhaps Bumble BFF is a better tool.
In terms of business networking, I wouldn’t be deleting LinkedIn any time soon, but I do think these are interesting times for the development of social apps.
While both Shapr and Bumble Bizz are far from perfect, they are likely to progress, with time, into something worth paying attention to.
