Hear and feel your partner or child’s heartbeat, even when thousands of miles apart

• Who is this post for? Everyone with a loved one!
• What does it discuss? Connecting people through heartbeats
• How does it benefit you? Feel connected, even when miles apart

A product that takes its name from shared moments is hoping to bridge that gap between loved ones. Pillow Talk enables you to feel your partner’s presence by sharing heartbeats via a wristband and speaker and is launched mid-December.

While modern technology has allowed people to connect with loved ones through text, video chat and simply talking on the phone, the founders thinks those connections aren’t enough, especially for those separated by long distances. An iOS or Android app pairs you and your partner together. When you go to bed, you both strap on wristbands that contain heart sensors. You can hear and feel each other’s heartbeats through a speaker you place under your pillow or, using the app, you can plug your headphones into your phone and listen.

The product can be used for connections other than the romantic variety . For example, parents who are often home away from their kids can use it to feel more present.

Pillow Talk isn’t the only device connecting people through heartbeats, though. The Apple Watch’s Digital Touch lets you send a heartbeat to someone so they can see and feel it. The watch’s healthcare app uses sensors so parents can listen to their baby’s heartbeat right on their wrist.

What are your thoughts on this method of connection?

Is your phone changing the way you fall in love?

• Who is this post for? Everyone
• What does it discuss? How we are entering and conducting relationships differently due to technology
• How does it benefit you? Fresh perspective on human behaviour

The deep breath before the first nervous approach, perhaps an extra glug from your glass of Dutch courage. The fear of rejection, perhaps public humiliation. If you got past that stage then there was waiting by the landline for a call or perhaps even a letter from one’s new infatuation. Yes, dear reader, that was how one conducted one’s love life before the advent of smartphones.

But it seems technology is changing the way we meet, greet, and fall in love. Deakin University anthropologist Roland Kapferer says that in one generation, phones and apps have spawned a whole new way of dating and mating. We’re witnessing a complete behavioural shift in the way we search for soulmates. Kapferer shares insights on how our love lives are changing in this fascinating, brief article

Do you think smartphones have changed our love lives? Heck, can you even remember? 😉

Mix your technologies to share music like it’s the ’80s

• Who is this post for? Everyone
• What does it discuss? A lovely retro-style product
• How does it benefit you? Increased smiles

Those of us the wrong side of 35 will have grown up sharing mixtapes and what treasured items they were! Just think back to the effort they took to compile and the appreciation of the person who was the recipient of your labour of love.

It’s just not the same sharing your playlist on Spotify is it? I can create a playlist in minutes. It’s efficient and the music is just as good but there’s little emotion involved from a sharing perspective. Thus, we really like the work of Sydney based designer Tiffany Roddis whose rendition of a mixtape is actually a USB that can hold up to 8GB of files and media (hopefully music!). It also has a personal message written on it for those of you planning to give it to someone special.

Easy to buy from anywhere as ships worldwide from the UK at the designer’s Etsy store, Wild Card.

Does love live here anymore?

• Who is this post for? Anyone looking for love (or anything else found through dating apps!)
• What does it discuss? The video (15mins long) looks at the variety of dating apps out there and whether they deliver the benefits users are looking for
• How will you benefit? Fresh perspective on the dating game

I started dating my wife in 2000 so my dating days were over well before the advent of smartphones and dating apps. So when I observe the popularity of apps like Tinder I often find myself wondering how my dating years would have panned out differently with such technology at my fingertips.

There are hundreds of different dating apps catering for every taste and need imaginable. But what is gained and what is lost when using dating apps? Certainly the convenience and speed at which one can meet people is incredible – scroll through some photos and swipe to like is enought on some apps.  I used to hate dating because of the expectation placed on a night out – would I meet anyone new, would I pluck up the courage to talk to a stranger when necessary?

But, but…one can’t help but feel that much of the experience is very procedural, perhaps even dry. Whereas before it was like looking for a needle in the haystack, people are now faced with the very opposite challenge – there are so many needles right in front of you it’s impossible to properly evaluate which one might suit you best.

I can’t say I have a firm opinion because everyone will use dating apps differently and have their own expectations of them. But this video from the BBC is an interesting piece on how dating apps are being used and the type of behaviour they generate.

We’d love to hear and share your opinions on dating via apps so please leave comments!