Miguel Cruz was with a friend in a sauna when they both realised that dating apps had to change.
Miguel and Afonso were both single, and the use of dating apps became a topic of conversation, which led to the creation of a dating app that allows people to meet potential love partners in just eight minutes.
With the rise of AI and online-only conversations and the decline of real human interaction online, Miguel believes that finding a partner has become increasingly difficult, since there is no real contact between people anymore.
Safety first
Unlike other dating apps, Eight’s system will not allow users to create fake profiles. In Eight, it is not possible to write bios that can be fake or even use other people’s pictures. Instead of uploading pictures, users must record a 30-second video in the app and have it approved by the Eight team, who will look for potential AI use or other filters, for example.
With the ongoing growth of AI use and the increasing realism of AI-generated videos, Miguel Cruz states that Eight only allows people to send videos recorded directly in the app. This way, it prevents any use of external platforms to make any changes to the video, maintaining it as real as possible.
Dating in a virtual pub
Miguel Cruz highlights that on Eight, people will not be anxiously swiping left and right, trying to find the perfect match. According to him, Eight tries to resemble a disco or even a pub environment, even online.
Between 8 and 9 pm, users can browse profiles and send a smile to someone they find interesting, and, if the feeling is mutual, they immediately start an eight-minute video call, during which both can decide whether to keep talking. If users decide they want to get to know each other a little better, they can start talking in chat at any time. Miguel believes that this is the perfect way for people to get to know each other, as it replicates, virtually, the real-life moment of meeting someone, while also avoiding the preconceptions that a conversation via text message could create.
The eight-minute call was not a concept created randomly. Miguel says that the author Simon Sinek highlights that an eight-minute conversation can definitely change lives, support a friend, build a business, and, of course, create bonds that may become a passionate, loving relationship.
Where to find the app
Eight is available on the Google Play Store and the App Store. The app is totally free, and there are no plans to include a premium paid package, because Eight was not created to be a money-making machine.
The app may also be used by everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, fulfilling Eight’s purpose: to find love.
However, there are still expansion plans, such as reaching the Brazilian market.
For more information about the app, people may visit www.eightdating.com and follow Miguel Cruz on Instagram, @miguel.eight.