The future of dating? Seven weird and wacky apps

There are a range of weird and wonderful dating apps to help people find 'the one'.

SIZZL

With such a wide selection of potential mates out there, sometimes you need an app that’s going to ask the important questions: ‘Do you want a relationship?’; ‘Do you want children?’; and ‘Do you like bacon?’ That’s where Sizzl comes in. Described as “the only dating app exclusively for bacon lovers... because why should you settle for someone who doesn’t love bacon?”, Sizzl helps bacon lovers become real lovers.

BRISTLR

Capitalising on the beard trend and its followers, Bristlr connects the bearded with those who want to stroke them. The app is less aimed at meaningless hook-ups and more at human interaction, admiration and a harmless bit of beard-stroking.

CROWD PILOT

For those who aren’t the most skilled at dating, Crowd Pilot allows you to stream live audio of your date to your friends, including Facebook friends, who can respond with text advice on how to navigate the minefield that is a first date.

Judging when to tell your date that you’re using the app seems to be the only issue... that, and the whole invasion of privacy thing.

CARROT

Carrot encourages users to use incentives like dinners and spa days to convince (or bribe) potential mates to go on a date with you. The app has been branded borderline prostitution – the press release for the site explains: “there’s only one method of manipulation that has stood the test of time: bribery. It’s a concept so simple that even animals understand - give a dog a bone, and it will obey”.

If dog comparisons aren’t enough to put you off, the website then says: “just as an unfriendly dog wouldn’t deny a tasty treat, any beautiful girl can be bribed into giving you a first date.”

Who said romance was dead?

BAD DATE RESCUE

Just as quick as an app can get you into an awkward first date, it can also get you out. Bad Date Rescue can set a predetermined phone call or activate a five-second rescue at the click of a button. Users can be berated by parents and bosses on the other side of the phone to make the exit even more realistic. Better start practicing your lie face.

HAPPN

Much like Tinder, Happn allows you to create a dating profile through your Facebook account and asks you to select a gender and age range of the people you are interested in.

Unlike Tinder, it then uses GPS tracking to present users with a list of people nearby and tells you whether you’ve crossed paths with them once or several times. It also gives you a map of roughly where you crossed paths, their photos, name, age and profession allowing you find out if you really were being given the eye in the dairy aisle. Bad news for fans of Rush Hour Crush.

DRUNK DIAL NO

Smartphones have a lot to answer for: sore thumbs, decreased attention spans, and, most importantly, for drunk dials everywhere. If you are unable to practice smartphone self-control when you’ve had a few too many, Drunk Dial No blocks you from calling a preselected number during a set period of time. Sadly, it doesn’t stop you from tweeting, Snapchatting or sending messages on WhatsApp.