One of the most exciting Apple announcements other than the iPhone 4S for me was the “Card” app created by Apple. Now that iOS 5 is out, the app has been released, and I took it for a spin.
The greeting card industry should take notice, because Apple gives us a simple and beautiful experience that is automatically hooked up to a credit card to purchase physical greeting cards. Hallmark might not go out of business, but there may be some smaller companies that will take a hit once everyone tries the app out for themselves. It really is that simple, and very convenient.
A personalized greeting card is nothing new, there has been software to make your own greeting cards all the way back to Windows 95.
Customizing a card
Creating a card is simple, and the app is gorgeous. You can swipe through a few options of card styles, and hopefully Apple will add more.
Once you choose the style of your card, you can start customizing it with your message, and a photo from your device’s camera roll. You can tap to enter your main message and card closing on the inside.
Sending your card
Apple Cards cost $2.99, and you are charged separately for postage. Considering how convenient it is to create one, and that you’re sending a real physical card and not an e-card, this is not a bad price.
You can set the from address and to address for the envelope, which shows in beautiful script font. Right now you can’t customize the fonts, perhaps Apple will change this in the future.
One of the nice added features that Apple does best, is that the address is checked against a database for validation. I entered an address which wasn’t found to be valid, but it was an apartment complex and perhaps I entered it incorrectly. Regardless, you can choose to send to any address you like, even if it’s not validated.
The payment is made through Apple’s existing app payment system, so paying is an absolute breeze. Moments after payment, I received an email invoice from Apple telling me that the order went through.
We expect this app to gain traction, especially if integrated into the Calendar app, as you could potentially be prompted to create a card before someones birthday. Greeting Cards have never been more exciting, give the Apple Card App a try.
UPDATE: I was notified the next morning that the card was shipped.
Didn't they try this will iPhoto books? Do people use that still?
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LikeI agree that sending a physical card with the convenience of online ordering is a brilliant idea. In fact, I thought it was so brilliant that I became a SendOutCards distributor.
Clearly Apple saw the same thing - I can't imagine that they didn't notice the success that SOC is having. (Fortune 500 named them one of the fastest growing companies.)
SOC has several advantages over the Apple model, however. For one thing, it's less expensive. Cards are completely customizable with photos, logos, and elements using a drag-and-drop interface. You can add gifts. You can send campaigns, and track those campaigns. And you can get paid for doing it.
Oh, and they already have an iPhone app for their service. :-)
I'm not a shill - just a fellow techie who loves all things mobile and web (and when the two are combined, even better.) It's because I'm so techie that I instantly loved this app. If you're interested, get in touch at Danielle@YourCustomCards.net.
If not, just know that yes, this is a brilliant app, but you're spending too much for too few features.
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LikeDanielleAgreed. Apple needs to significantly expand the service (more templates, gift options, etc) and lower the price to the same level as SendOutCards if they really want to kick Hallmark in the gonads.
Still, even at $2.99 they are still cheaper or the same price as a fair amount of greeting cards found at the corner store, so I think the service will be a success, but it could be so very much more.
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Like01NB This whole release has me really confused, I'll admit it. This card app seems half-baked, as does the iPhone 4s hardware offering.
Apple will really have to step up their game to compete with SendOutCards, and I just can't see that being a market they really want to focus on. Again, I'm puzzled.
In the meantime, SOC still reigns supreme as the best follow-up marketing and keeping-in-touch tool on the market. This is good news for me!
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Like01NBDanielle just like any app, it will evolve. that's the beauty of apps
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LikeWhy extra for postage! The App says that postage is included
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LikeIan Cull it was broken out in the invoice
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Likereally excited about this app? probably 17 -18 year passed since i ve sent a real postcard. and im sure that was the last one.
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LikeUgur Coturoglu its an actual full card, not just a postcard!
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Like5 - 7 business days for delivery, everywhere else in the world 9 - 16 business days. in the uk were used to next day delivery with moonpig. whilst this app is great, planning a birthday card, nearly 1 month ahead is something I simply wouldn't do. There are a lot of people out there that buy cards very last minute.
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LikeIan Dean just got confirmation that mine already shipped this morning.
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LikeIs this only for the US or does it work in other places like Australia?
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LikeI really don't see Hallmark being affected here. I see this app as enabling someone like me who previously could give a crap about sending cards out - now actually doing it because...it's easy. I am still going to the store to buy the Hallmark card to bring to me "Nephews" birthday, because I am not going to send him a card when I am going to his party. I just think this app opened up more market size by making it easy and bringing new customers into the space. That simple.
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LikeMichael La Rosa for me its a shift in purchasing behavior. Digital is king. Physical shopping is behind, clearly.
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