 |
Webkare - Virtual Boyfriends
Virtual boyfriends are all the rage for Japanese schoolgirls. Webkare - web boyfriends in Japanese - has acquired 10,000 members in just five days of use.
(Two of webkare's virtual boyfriends)
It appears to be as much a social networking site as anything else; it's a dating simulator, set in a virtual high school.
Girls sign up and become members of a social network but also users of a dating simulation in cartoon style. They have to try to hook up with one of four male Anime characters (who are the “stars” of the site) through “conversations” and must collaborate with other Webkare members in order to move on in the game. Eventually they conquer the heart of the chosen cartoon boy.
Science fiction buffs are, as usual, way ahead on this one. He wrote about the interactions between real people and virtual friends and lovers in his 1996 novel Idoru; see the entry for idoru for more details.
From TechCrunch.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 9/26/2008)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 3 )
Related News Stories - (" Virtual Person ")
Love Plus Dating Sim Requires Kissing
Dating in the virtual world of Love Plus; would you have a relationship with a virtual person?
'E' Digital Essence Of Evil Like SID 6.7
Researchers create pure evil in the laboratory; 'E' uses both definitions of evil and case studies of evil persons.
Beautification Engine Digital Facial
This goes way beyond photoshopping away a few wrinkles; and yet, sf authors have led the way on this idea.
Webkare - Virtual Boyfriends
Are men or women more likely to become interested in a virtual friend/lover? Japanese schoolgirls are voting with their fingers on this one.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
Put MercuryHouseOne Anywhere
Perhaps looking out through the spray of Victoria Falls.
Computational Wood: Grow Circuits In Living Trees
Just tap into the information tree.
SIRI Virtual Assistant Like Pohl's Joymaker
Man Forrester! Your joymaker is ready.
Liquid Glass Universal Spray-On Protectant
Also used to protect galactic way stations.
WIND Wearable Robot Controller
Robot wirelessly sense, robot do.
Gesture Cube Touch-Free Input
Just think of the gestures you'll use!
IMPASS Robot 'Smart Wheel' Video
I love it when good robot research comes together.
Predator, Prey Robots Evolve
Humanity must make a choice about robot evolution.
Mind-Control Lights At Vancouver Olympics
Bringing The Game to the Olympic Games.
PALRO Companion Robot
Who's your favorite companion robot?
Wasabi Smoke Alarm Now Available
It's an odalarm!
Spyder Olympic GS Suit With d3o
An impact suit made with a shear thickening material.
First Transistor That Mimics Brain Synapse
The Nexus Six phone will need a Nexus-6 brain.
Legged Squad Support System Monster BigDog Robot
A robotic pack mule for soldiers.
Implantable Energy-Harvesting Rubber Sheets
Take a deep breath, and power up that cell phone!
Bose Ride System Smooths Your Ride
Ride the spaceways - uh, roads - in comfort.
