Howlr

2018-08-16T23:06:28Z

107.129.91.175: grammar, groups, clarification

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[[File:Howlrlogo.png|frameless|right]]
[[File:Howlrsushi.png|thumbnail|right|Howlr's mascot : Sushi]]
'''Howlr''' is a [[furry dating]] app, similar to the mainstream app [[Grindr]], that relies on user location to find other [[furries]] around the user.

It allows users to set up a very complete profile and join groups related to events they're attending, personal and artistic interests, and kinks they identify with, and then filter users according to these.

It also features a chat and a ''Like'' system that allows a user to let someone know they like the profile, and eventually break the ice.

== Release ==

The app was made available for beta testing on May 16, 2018<ref name="beta">[https://twitter.com/HowlrApp/status/996664189191184384]Howlr's tweet announcing beta testing opening</ref>, on Android, via a private link and apk file. Although the link was dispatched to no more than 200 people, the application counted over an overwhelming thousand users by the end of the beta, as a result of testers passing the link around.

On June 19th, 2018<ref name="android-release">[https://twitter.com/HowlrApp/status/1009045375284580353]Android release tweet</ref>, the app was made public on the Google PlayStore, a few days before the announced release date. In less than a week after the release, almost 2,000 new users joined in<ref name="analytics-1">[https://howlr.im/analytics]Howlr's analytics page</ref>.

Although the general release was planned on June 22, 2018, the Howlr crew had announced possible delays for the iOS release, as they encountered technical issues with iOS development, as well as being slowed down by Apple for various reasons.

The iOS version was finally released on July 26th, 2018<ref name="ios-release">[https://twitter.com/HowlrApp/status/1022556114989342722]iOS release tweet</ref>, and bought over 2,000 new users in the first 48 hours<ref name="analytics-1">[https://howlr.im/analytics]Howlr's analytics page</ref>.

As of July 31st, 2018, Howlr counts over 7800 users, with a constant growth of a few hundred users a day<ref name="analytics-1">[https://howlr.im/analytics]Howlr's analytics page</ref>.

== Howlr Staff ==

The visuals of the app are made by [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/firelex/ Alex], for the logo and mascot of the app, and [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/ciryss/ Ciryss], for the group pictograms<ref name="about">[http://howlr.im/contact]Howlr's 'About' page</ref>.

Most of the development and the entire Public Relations field was previously taken care of by [[Stormy]]. After being called out for admitting to animal abuse, [[Stormy]] announced his retirement from Howlr on 7th of August, 2018.<ref name="stormy-resign">[https://twitter.com/Stormyfag/status/1026854670713716736]Stormy publicly announcing his retirement</ref>.
The Public Relations field was taken over by [[Tyke]], who backed out from the project on August 8th, 2018, following Stormy's departure.

As of today, the entire PR, development, financing, moderation and maintenance of the app is handled by the remaining developers of the Howlr Lab.

The app remains registered under Stormy's name on the app stores, for practicality reasons, and for the developers to avoid having to restart the whole publishing process from square one.

== Development ==

The app was created via Expo, a tool to create React Native application that is easily portable to iOS and Android.<br />
The front-end of the app is made with [[W:React_(JavaScript)|React Native]], while the back-end is [[W:Ruby_on_Rails|Ruby on Rails]].

== Howlr Lab ==

The success of Howlr resulted in the developer team creating the Howlr Lab, a platform that would serve as a launcher for many other applications, websites and services to help the community<ref name="lab">[http://lab.howlr.im]Howlr Lab website</ref>.

== Financing ==

The Howlr dating app and all the following Howlr Lab apps will always remain free, and with no advertisement at all. Before the 7th of August, 2018, the estimated $2000 per year cost generated by the Howlr Lab was entirely taken care of by its previous owner, Stormy. He had mentioned the team's wish to work through donation campaigns or any other non invading financing method, whenever he'd not be able to handle such costs anymore. However, as of today, after his retirement from Howlr, the person in-charge of the estimated $2000 per year cost is currently unknown.

== External links ==

* [http://howlr.im Howlr] official website
* [http://www.facebook.com/HowlrApp Howlr] on [[Facebook]]
* [http://www.twitter.com/HowlrApp Howlr] on [[Twitter]]
* [http://t.me/HowlrApp Howlr] on [[Telegram]]
* [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=im.howlr.app Howlr] on the [[W:Google PlayStore|Google PlayStore]]
* [https://itunes.apple.com/app/howlr/id1403033613?mt=8 Howlr] on the [[W:App_Store|Apple AppStore]]

== References ==

<references />

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