Tired of using the same old social networking apps every day, which only allow you to either post a comment to your friends or scroll through their feeds? Imagine chatting with your friends and having your avatar participate in virtual activities like camping, swinging, dancing, and sailing. It’s like being in a virtual world where you can be or do anything. Aptly named “Bondee”, this new app that is currently taking the digital world by storm incorporates top features from other social apps and adds exciting twists to them.
Internet’s newest hangout world
“Ready, Set,Bondee!” is the tagline for the newly launched social networking app called Bondee.
Officially launched on January 17 this year, the app was developed by Singapore-based tech firm Metadream. At the time of this writing, Bondee is currently at the top of the social networking rankings on the App Store and has quickly become one of the most popular apps.
What sets Bondee apart from other virtual avatar game is that it has a distinguishing feature much different than its competitors: 3D-animated avatars that users can fully customise.
While scrolling through Instagram the past few days, I’ve seen friends from my following list sharing avatars and QR codes via their Instagram Stories.
As a fellow Gen Zer and a FOMO (fear of missing out) individual, of course I had to ride on this trending wave.
How to navigate Bondee?
Firstly, download the Bondee app from the App Store or Google Play. Once downloaded, register your account using a mobile number and set your password. You’ll have to create a nickname and Bondee ID for friends to search for and connect with you.
From there, you’ll be able to create a mini-avatar of yourself and customise everything from your skin tone to your hair colour and even your outfit. The fashion selection is also very Gen Z-ish, ranging from Y2K to street style to formal wear, which is one of the reasons why most Gen Zs are hooked on this app, myself included.
It just doesn’t stop here. The next task will unleash the designer in you — decorating your own room, where your avatar will spend most of their time. The options are endless on how users decorate their respective rooms with accessories including TVs, desks, sofas, musical instruments, and others.
Another plus: you can also upload your desired pictures for photo frames and posters. Another interactive feature is the use of sticky notes, which allows you to leave a note for your friends when you visit their room.
Interact with your friends!
Bondee also allows you to post “statuses”, which are kind of similar to those on Facebook, with texts and images. You can also choose an “activity” that reflects your mood, such as happy, thrilled, sad, and more. In a way, it is like a trendy virtual diary that is accessible by your friends.
However, there’s not much you can do on the app without adding your friends. Your friends can add you via user ID, phone number, or QR code. Once connected, you can see each other’s status, visit their rooms, and leave some notes behind. At the moment, you can add up to 50 friends on Bondee.
Sail away to meet new friends!
You can also sail away into the seas, which allows you to meet random users that you can befriend. Users can send messages via the drift bottles, where you are given six messages to begin with — a place for you to share your hobbies, skills, or thoughts.
Even without opening the app, you can still continue floating around the open sea by clicking on the “offline floating” option. You also stand a chance to win prizes, from accessories to home decor items. For me, the goal is to get the bubble couch!
The Bondee app is free to download on both the App Store and Google Play, but it also comes with in-app purchases. Don’t wait too long, and Bondee with your friends now!
