Image by Good Faces Agency, from Unsplash
Tinder Tests Height Preference Feature For Paid Users
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
Tinder is testing a new feature that lets paid users set height preferences, sparking renewed debate about looks-based dating culture online.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Tinder tests height preference feature for Gold and Premium users.
- The setting suggests matches but doesn’t filter out users by height.
- Height bias has long been common on dating apps.
Tinder is conducting a test of a new feature that allows paid users to add their height preferences to their dating profiles — a move that some see as embracing the app’s reputation for prioritizing looks, as first spotted by TechCrunch .
“We’re always listening to what matters most to our Tinder users — and testing the paid height preference is a great example of how we’re building with urgency, clarity, and focus,” said Phil Price Fry, VP Comms at Tinder, as reported by TechCrunch. “This one speaks directly to a few [principles]: prioritizing user outcomes, moving fast, and learning quickly.”
Unlike filters for age or relationship goals, this feature focuses on appearance — a trend that’s become more common with dating apps. Tinder’s design already encourages users to judge matches based on photos, leading to quick swipe decisions. Height has long been a sticking point, especially for women looking for taller men. It’s not unusual to see profiles with demands like “6 feet or taller,” even if such rules are looser offline.
TechCrunch notes that Tinder has joked about this before. In 2019, it teased a “height verification” tool for April Fools’ — a prank some didn’t find funny. Designer Soren Iverson also imagined a parody where men could pay to override height filters.
The height filter comes amid a broader dating app crisis, especially among Gen Z and millennials, who are increasingly deleting apps like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble. Fortune reports that many cite burnout, shallow interactions, and paywalls that limit genuine matches. Some say the apps have become “wastelands,” more about curated profiles than real connection.
Whether the test becomes permanent remains to be seen. For now, it adds fuel to the ongoing debate about looks-based dating culture.
Image by Tohamina, from Freepik
China Hosts World’s First Humanoid Robot Martial Arts Tournament
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
China hosted the world’s first humanoid robot martial arts tournament, where clumsy AI-powered bots offered more laughs than terrifying sci-fi moments.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Robots were AI-enhanced but controlled via remote and voice commands.
- Matches included punches, kicks, and point deductions for knockdowns.
- Most robots moved awkwardly, resembling toddlers more than fighters.
China achieved a historic milestone by organizing the world’s first humanoid robot martial arts tournament which delivered more comedic than frightening sci-fi elements.
The World Robot Competition – Mecha Fighting Series hosted by China Media Group in Hangzhou on May 25 featured four humanoid robots developed by Unitree Robotics .
PCGamer reports that the G1 model robots measure 132 cm in height and weigh 35 kg while their price tag reaches $16,000. The robots possessed AI movement capabilities yet humans operated them through remote controls and voice commands, as noted by Vice .
The competition consisted of three two-minute rounds for each match. The scoring system awarded one point for punches but three points for kicks and five points for falling. A round loss occurred immediately when a robot stayed down for more than eight seconds while a 10-point deduction applied.
“These robots need to mind their movements and react to their opponent’s moves,” said Li Gaofeng from Zhejiang University, as reported by PCGamer. “All these requirements significantly challenge the robots’ algorithms, electronic parts and speed reducers.”
The bots threw jabs and kicks—some accurate, others hilariously off-target. “Combat fight is a difficult task for humanoid robots due to the intensive confrontation during the fight,” added Li, as reported by PCMag.
Despite their headgear and gloves, most robots looked more like toddlers learning to walk than lethal machines. “It is not easy to teach robots different movements,” said Unitree director Wang Qixin, as reported by Asia Times . “We used AI technology to train them,” Wang added,
Still, the event marked a leap in robotics progress. “Six months ago, people could not imagine humanoid robots performing these movements smoothly,” said Li, as reported by Asia Times.
Chen Xiyun, Unitree’s marketing manager, added, “The algorithms optimized for extreme conditions like combat could potentially benefit our daily lives,” as reported by Vice.
