Most mobile dating services are based on sharing text in real time via cellular, with users finding one another through a common database provided by the mobile dating service. Jumbuck's Fast Flirting service now includes the ability to upload a photo or video to be shared. It is kept on a Jumbuck server and viewed by Jumbuck to avoid transmission of pornography or other objectionable material, a spokesman said.

Jumbuck's users find one another in virtual rooms based on themes such as countries or islands. A user starts a session by asking to find others of a certain age and gender, and then by picking a virtual room. In that room, several names can be selected, and the two parties can agree to share profile information, photos or videos, the spokesman said.

"It's a transient activity, and do people get married after one of these sessions? Maybe, but I'd hope they'd meet first," the spokesman said. In comparison, PC-based dating services tend to use algorithms to compare profiles that users create, matching singles with others who have compatible profiles.

In addition, IceBreaker Inc. debuted an interactive mobile dating platform on Jan. 16 called Crush or Flush, which it described as mobile software that "provides an easy way to flirt, chat and meet real people with similar interests in your area ' right from your cell phone." IceBreaker said it is the first dating application designed specifically for the cell phone.

Webdate Mobile said its subscribers sifted through 6.7 million mobile Web pages in December and found picture viewing the most popular application, followed by views of text profiles. PC-based dating is heavily dominated by men, but Webdate Mobile has found that 42 percent of its subscribers are women. In comparison, women make up 30 percent of the PC-based group, according to the company. Ages range from 18 to 77 for Webdate Mobile subscribers.