If dating services for computer users are so popular already, why do the singles of this world need mobile dating at all? It seems that they do because of the increasing demand for new ways of dating and flirting, especially using text messaging, MMS multimedia messaging, or browsing the Internet on a handheld. Mobile dating systems that are available today are primarily built on text messaging. SMS text messaging is a global standard that allows messages to roam across network operators and continents. To join a mobile dating service, you need a GSM phone or a PDA with GSM connectivity.

Interestingly, camera phones with their capability to send and receive photos have not yet fully reached their potential in dating. Considering the growing popularity of moblogs (photo albums for camera phones), self-snapped photos and attached short text entries should be handy for dating as well. Despite of all these attractive new possibilities, bear in mind that frequent text messaging or MMS messaging may add up on your phone bill (depending on your plan), in addition to the potential fee for the dating service.

Which mobile dating service suits whom?

In these early experimental days of mobile dating, four different types of wireless services can be identified: existing online dating systems that are extending their access to mobile devices, services that offer integrated functionality for both handhelds and computers, text messaging exchange services that are specific to a location or an event, and location-aware systems that automatically recognize nearby members of a dating service.

Existing online dating systems that provide access for mobile phones, smartphones and PDAs, such as match.com (Match Mobile is only available in the US at the moment). A service like this assumes that mobile devices are used for occasional access to dating information and computers are still the primary means of communication. The method is suitable for singles who prefer using a computer and if a sudden urge to view the dating site hits, say, at a dentist's lobby, it is easy to check out new members on a mobile phone.

Mobile dating services that marry the functionality of mobile devices and computers, such as sms.ac. The great thing about this type of service is the possibility to communicate by using both a mobile phone and a computer so that all sent and received messages can easily be tracked. Up-to-date inboxes and outboxes are available, regardless of the device being used. In addition, text messaging works practically anywhere in the world (if, for instance, a person wants to carry on dating on a business trip in another continent.) This type of mobile dating is truly flexible and suitable for anyone with a GSM cell phone.

Flirting by text messages in a particular location or event, as organized by Saw-You. Usually, a club, or another public place agrees upon to have a mobile-assisted dating night. Participants sign up and get an ID which is associated with their mobile number. Anyone present at the club can then send a text message to another person in the club with an ID. Although the sender and receiver will only see the ID numbers and not mobile numbers, the two can now begin to interact and decide how they want to proceed. This is great for people who want to meet potential dates in person, while still retaining an option to decline without too much fuss.

Mobile dating services that automatically locate members' whereabouts. Let's take an example to see how it works: you are at a shopping mall and you receive a message to your mobile phone. The message could be from another member of the same dating service who happens to be at the same shopping mall, looking for a date. From there, it's up to those two people if they want to meet. This kind of service is based on a functionality embedded in mobile networks that allows it to automatically locate people who have their mobile phones switched on. However, the technology is still being experimented with. Wired magazine presented this scenario to people who had tried a text messaging dating service, but the automatic location finder technology didn't attract them. We'll have to wait and see how it works in practice.

Modern technology is truly helpful if it can bring together those people who are looking for a partner. Naturally, it's the results, not the technology, that matters in the process of finding a suitable partner. Choosing a dating service that suits different lifestyles is now easier when both mobile and computer based services are available.