Momo Takes a Bite Out of Digital Dating with AI-Powered 'Doughnut'

Move over, traditional dating apps - Momo just dropped something sweeter. On January 13, the social media giant unveiled "Doughnut," its first homegrown AI companion platform that promises to guide users from awkward virtual hellos all the way down the digital aisle.

Custom Crushes & Algorithmic Attraction

The app serves up romantic fantasies à la carte. Users can design their perfect partner from a menu of tropes - want a brooding CEO or boy-next-door? Prefer husky voices or bubbly personalities? Doughnut lets you mix and match like building your ideal ice cream sundae.

But here's the clever bit: Two distinct chat modes spice up interactions. "Vivid" keeps conversations straightforward, while "Ambiguous" mode plays hard-to-get, racking up "heart-pounding points" through tantalizing delays and suggestive replies. Hit enough romantic benchmarks, and deeper relationship levels unlock - because nothing says true love like gamified emotional escalation.

Sweetening the Deal with Sugar Beans

Of course, true intimacy comes at a cost - literally. Momo introduced "Sugar Beans" as the app's premium currency. Want your digital dreamboat to remember your anniversary or whisper sweet nothings? That'll cost you beans. It's an ingenious monetization strategy targeting what analysts call the "loneliness economy."

Can Artificial Affection Compete?

The market isn't empty - rivals like Cat Box and Starfield already dish out digital companionship. But Momo's throwing serious resources behind Doughnut, betting that Gen Z would rather craft perfect partners than endure real-world dating mishaps.

Industry watchers see this as Momo hedging its bets between content and social features. While skeptics question whether scripted romance can satisfy emotional needs long-term, there's no denying Doughnut represents Momo's most delicious attempt yet at reinventing connection in the AI age.

Key Points:

• Full-circle romance: Guides users from first meet-cute to virtual marriage
• Character customization: Mix-and-match appearances, voices, and personality traits
• Flirtation mechanics: "Ambiguous" chat mode builds romantic tension intentionally
• Monetization model: "Sugar Beans" currency unlocks deeper interactions
• Market positioning: Targets Gen Z's preference for controlled social experiences