Chicago-Based App helloTruly Launches For People Who Prefer Offline Introductions

A new location-focused dating app has launched in Chicago this month, for singles who prefer to make in-person introductions over online connections.

Released on iOS and Android, helloTruly is a new digital icebreaker application that focuses on connecting singles based on their real-time locations, as a way of eliminating awkward first encounters.

According to its founders, father and son team Andy and Jack Kenoe, the app is a solution to the tedious process of constantly scrolling through profiles – which they say is causing singles to become dissatisfied with finding love online.

A recent survey of 2,000 people aged between 18 and 45 conducted by the app found that 77% of participants would prefer to meet someone new in-person rather than online.

helloTruly also found that 79% of participants do not trust online profile photos, with just 40% finding that the people they meet online have the same personalities when they meet up offline.

Speaking about the app, Andy Kenoe said: “helloTruly uses the right amount of technology to make finding someone new in the moment easier and then gets out of the way to let two people connect in their own authentic way.

“helloTruly makes in-person introductions easier because you know that other helloTruly user is receptive to meeting someone new.”

helloTruly scans locations for potential dates

Once downloaded, the app begins scanning each user’s location, sending them push notifications to alert them when someone who meets their age and gender preferences is nearby.

If the user is interested in meeting, they are able to send a “wave” to the other member through the app, getting their attention in the hope they will reciprocate the gesture.

Unlike most dating apps, helloTruly does not allow any remote access to other user profiles, and does not offer users an in-app chat function, which its founders says encourages people to “put their phones away and say hello in person.”

The app does however feature a Hot Spot function, which users can check in to, in order to keep up to date with nearby venues that have recently been popular with other helloTruly users.

Speaking about the advantages of this, Jack Kenoe said: “helloTruly uses physical locations –venues – to connect people instead of creating an artificial online environment to browse profiles and text with people.

“Seeing someone with your own eyes is better than relying on a profile photo. And having an in-person conversation is better than chatting online with someone you’ve never met.”

The app is currently only available for Chicago-based singles, but the company has plans to expand it into other cities across the US soon.

To find out more about the app, check out its official site.