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App Developer Justin Haar Is Creating Closer Connections Amid the Loneliness Epidemic with Eden

Eden is the new elevated dating/social app with the first-ever local date deals, Apple Music player, and more, built directly inside the app.

The pandemic’s aftermath has left the United States, and the globe, living in the “loneliness epidemic.” 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, Americans have been spending less time with friends and more time alone since before the pandemic, which has only intensified social isolation. As stated in a new advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General, the incredible amounts of people lacking connection can increase the risk of premature death to levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

App developer Justin Haar remembers those neverending days of being caged alone in his New York City apartment during the pandemic. The feeling of loneliness, however, was nothing new to him. He battled childhood Ewing’s sarcoma cancer alongside his mom, who battled abdominal mesothelioma until her passing. Meanwhile, he grappled with Tourette’s syndrome. Haar had no choice but to brave loneliness and adversity. That became the most important part of his life kit. 

As he watched the city that never sleeps turn desolate, a new mission permeated his mind: help others emotionally connect. With his skillset embedded in app development, he immediately thought of a dating app, but he knew it had to go beyond shallow swiping.

After a couple of months of building a prototype on his own and multiple iterations later, Haar built the first version of his dating app, Eden. 

Now in 2023, it has grown into an elevated dating and social app with inclusivity for all and with never-before-experienced features meant to bond users on a much deeper level. Here’s what makes Eden not only a solution to loneliness but growing relationships of all kinds:

The “Filters & Profile” 2-way algorithm. 

Most, if not all, dating apps in existence use a 1-way filtering algorithm – hence the countless one-by-one swipes with people who do not catch your interest. 

Haar is the first to bring a 2-way matching experience to the dating app space. This algorithm exclusive to Eden allows users to filter for people who were filtering for them. This enhances connection by giving users what they want in a friendship or partnership faster.

The app’s algorithm in itself is the future for dating/social apps, but also it’s fostering of inclusivity, as Eden welcomes all sexualities and genders who desire any type of relationship. From different sexualities and identities to relationship desires, Eden ensures everyone finds what they’re looking for as easily as possible.

Half a million local deals and events. 

Eden is the first-ever dating app with a local deals/events feature inside the app. It helps users discover local date ideas, all the while providing deals for them. Haar especially wanted to incorporate this offering since saving money was at the top of their mind during the pandemic. And with date ideas from the unique to classic on display, Haar believes users will be more inclined to go out on that date.

Eden users can choose from half a million deal options for restaurants, concerts, activities, and more. Search by category, name, description, city, and purchase deals. After that, make the date decision and complete the purchases or reservations within the app. 

“In a difficult economy, I knew Eden should reflect one of the top needs of the everyday dater – saving money,” says Haar. This is a practical offering that’s amazing for first-time dates or established couples.”

Built-in Apple Music player exclusive to Eden

Haar believes that music is the heartbeat of connection. He noticed that other dating apps lacked offerings that would help to form deeper conversations. Music, he thought, has always been a universal connector. So came his idea to include a music player in Eden. 

Now, users can browse, share, and recommend songs with the app’s exclusive built-in Apple Music player. They can also follow the music profiles of others on Eden to follow their playlists, discover new songs, and post to their profiles. A novel experience in the dating app world. 

Followers and followings are completely private to those on Eden as well, adding to the uniqueness of the app. 

“This social music discovery meets dating experience will change the way people connect on dating apps,” says Eden founder Justin Haar. “I think music is the heartbeat of chemistry for so many people, and Eden gives them a platform to bond while learning even more about each other. Bringing up songs you both like is an easy icebreaker, too!”

The feature also allows Eden users to change the speed of the songs they are listening to – an extra special touch for fun! Speeds range from 0.25x, 0.5x, 0.75x, 1.25x, 1.5x, 1.75x, to 2x.

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And Eden has only just begun. 

Eden is more than just a dating app; it’s a way to connect with people who are going through similar experiences and who understand what it’s like to feel alone. “I know what it’s like to feel disconnected and like you don’t belong,” Haar says. “That’s why inclusivity is so important to me. I want everyone to feel like they can be themselves and find connections that are meaningful.”

Haar’s goal is to make Eden the go-to app for people who want to connect with others in a more meaningful and authentic way and to continue to innovate and improve the app’s features to better serve the needs of its users.

Eden is currently available on iOS. To learn more about Eden, download the app or visit https://myeden.me

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