skout

Star Apps: OKCupid co-founder Christian Rudder

If a profile like Christian Rudder's turned up in an OKCupid user's search results, it would certainly merit a deeper look. As a Harvard graduate, who's helped launch and sell two successful companies (SparkNotes, in 1999, which sold to Barnes & Noble; OKCupid, in 2004, which sold to Match.com) and an indie musician who's appeared in the romcom, "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," he'd be a catch by most standards.

Download.com caught up with Rudder, who's also OKCupid's General Manager and Editorial Director, to discuss his company's … Read more

Can social networks protect your kids?

Social networks catering to adolescents have a serious trust issue -- and justifiably so.

Location-based flirting app Skout and teen social-networking game Habbo were hit by reports that adults allegedly used their services to sexually prey on underage users, causing both sites to temporarily restrict access this week.

The incidents serve as a reminder of the potential risks that arise when a minor logs on to any social network, an issue that has gotten even more scrutiny with Facebook looking to possibly open its doors to users under 13. More importantly, it reinforces the notion that no network is truly … Read more

Skout suspends under-18 service after it's linked to rapes

Skout suspended its 17-and-under community following reports of men posing as teenagers to prey on minors on the mobile social network.

The creators of the popular location-based flirting app suspended the site at 1 p.m. PT to adjust safety and security measures, according to Skout's blog post on the suspension.

The shutdown upset users who posted comments on the blog post, asking when the site will be back up. A Skout spokesperson said it will make a decision about reopening the teen community after it has concluded an evaluation and made the adjustments.

In the last two weeks, … Read more

How Skout attracted millions with its flirty ways

In the quickly evolving world of apps, Skout is a virtually an old standby at this point.

Having launched in 2007 and then re-tooled to its current iteration two years later, Skout is a mobile social network built on the premise that people would want to meet and flirt with people close to them. Skout uses the phone's ability to locate itself to determine nearby people (to ensure privacy, the service doesn't provide the exact location of a person, only getting as specific as half a mile away).

The app is free, but Skout generates revenue through the … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1569: Find love on Skout and fall in love with Gene Simmons (all over again) (Podcast)

On today's Most Epic Buzz Out Loud Episode Ever, we interview the founders of Skout.com and find out there's an easier way to find love and friendship all around you than the way you have to do it in Sweden. Also, how Verizon is trying to murder the Galaxy Nexus and Google is letting it. Plus, David Lucatch (don't get his name wrong, take it from me) and Gene Simmons (yes, THAT Gene Simmons) join us to talk about the magic wand that is Ortsbo. We'd believe it even if Gene didn't say so.

Subscribe: iTunes (MP3) | iTunes (320x180) | iTunes (640x360)

RSS (MP3) | RSS (320x180) | RSS (640x360)… Read more

Looking back on Demo 09: Hope springs eternal

Last week's Demo 09 conference in Palm Desert, Calif., reminded me of my high-school reunions. The people were familiar but the energy level wasn't quite what it used to be. And like those reunions, there were lots of people who didn't show up.

Demo, which has been around since 1991, is a place for companies large and small--but mostly small--to announce new products. While some products this year were from established companies like Qualcomm and Symantec, most came from start-ups or very small companies that have been laboring in obscurity.

They come to Demo hoping to be … Read more

Jukebox + iPhone equals a pickup at a bar

Skout is a location aware dating service that lets you use an iPhone or other GPS enabled mobile device to find potential matches. Now the company is moving into bars with a large jukebox that can "skout out" potential mates in and near the bar. You can dedicate a song to your would-be sweetheart or send an SMS or virtual flowers.

Skout's chief marketing officer, Patrick McGovern, explains the system to Larry Magid who wants his wife Patti to know that his interest in the subject is purely professional.