There was a time when romantic partners relied on stunts like
love coupons to keep the magic alive. But, now, with more people uprooting for employment opportunities and
more singles finding love online, the uptick in long distance relationships is making such novelties irrelevant. Technology, of course, has answers, as new gadgets and mobile apps offers the long distance lovesick novel ways to maintain intimacy.
Kissenger: Locking lips
releases oxytocin and warm fuzzies, two things that distant darlings may be missing out on. And while it can’t recreate the chemistry of tonsil hockey, the
Kissenger can transmit the motions of a loved one’s lips from afar. The
Lovotics product, which was designed by Professor Hooman Samani of the
National University of Singapore, consists of two toy-like objects with gargantuan lips that, when smooched by one user, can be felt when the other partner kisses theirs. Still in prototype stage, the artificial lips measure the size, pressure and movement of real lips, providing a "convincing sense of telepresence" for anyone in need of affection from afar.
Pillow Talk: Pillow Talk is a prototype device, developed by Scottish designer
Joanna Montgomery (
Little Riot), which allows long distance sweethearts to hear the real-time heartbeat of their better half while falling asleep. First, a soft glow illuminates their pillow when their partner hits the sack for the night. Then, a ring sensor measures their heartbeat, while a flat panel placed inside a standard pillow sounds the beats in sync. Unfortunately, because Little Riot is not based in the US, it can't run a Kickstarter campaign. However, those who want to help put this concept project into production can donate through its
website.
Pair: Oleg Kostour relocated from Canada to California with the intention of launching a 3D software startup, but he ended up taking a different road than planned, instead creating an app that allowed him to keep in touch with his girlfriend back home in a medium more meaningful than SMS. The resultant
Pair generates a private shared timeline that couples can use to swap messages, locations, photos, and videos, as well as co-compose drawings and co-manage to-do lists. What’s more, the app also allows couples to
“thumbkiss” by pressing the same spot on the screen, which then vibrates for makeshift, yet comforting, physical contact.
