The founder of Hinge raised $18M to build a new AI dating service, Overtone
Overtone describes itself as "a voice- and audio-forward service, enabled by AI, that provides highly curated introductions."
Get smart on it
Hinge's founder raised $18 million to launch Overtone, a new AI dating service that operates differently from traditional dating apps. Overtone uses voice and audio alongside AI to provide curated introductions rather than algorithmic feeds or swiping, and McLeod explicitly positions it as not a dating app in the traditional sense. This shift reflects broader industry recognition that 78 percent of dating app users reported feeling burnt out, with users spending significant time on apps without achieving fulfilling connections. The approach aligns with a growing trend where companies use AI to narrow down compatible matches rather than delegating conversations to algorithms, and Overtone will launch later this year in select locations with support from Match Group, FirstMark Capital, and Pace Capital.
Related news
OpenAI may announce a ChatGPT smart speaker this year
OpenAI's first device is set to be a smart speaker that lets you talk with ChatGPT, according to a report from Bloomberg. The device apparently won't have a screen, but will use a camera and additional sensors to "understand" your environment. The report comes just days after Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI that accused the AI company of stealing hardware secrets. OpenAI, in a new statement on Tuesday, said that it is "not aware of any evidence that this complaint has meri
OpenAI’s first hardware device is reportedly a screenless speaker that can move
The device is weirdly described as involving "mechanical elements that can move on their own" and the Bloomberg report includes the detail that the device is designed to "feel like a companion and become a physical manifestation of OpenAI’s ChatGPT."
