Google launches CallJoy, a virtual customer service phone agent for small businesses (4 minute read)
Google has combined several technologies including virtual phone numbers, virtual assistants, automated audio transcriptions, and reporting and analytics to create CallJoy, a virtual customer service agent for small businesses. CallJoy is able to receive calls from customers, provide basic information, and redirect customers to complete their requests, for example, sending the customer an SMS with the link for bookings. At $39 a month, CallJoy is also able to record phone calls and help filter out spam callers. The reporting provided by CallJoy can indicate peak call times and common requests by customers. CallJoy is currently operating on an invite-only basis, and will eventually be open to all.
Facebookâs dating app will let you list your secret crushes (4 minute read)
Facebookâs new dating app, which is currently only in a testing phase in a few select countries, has a new feature which will let users list up to nine âsecret crushesâ from their friends list. If one of their friends also lists them as a secret crush, Facebook will send a notification to both users and match them. Facebook Dating usually avoids listing friends as potential matches. While there seems to be no method of monetization during its testing phase, there is big money in the dating app marketplace. Analysts predict that the dating app industry could be worth $12 billion by 2020. The Match Group, who owns Tinder, OkCupid, Match.com, and many other dating sites, brought in $1.7 billion last year from memberships, advertising, and premium features.