While consumer electronics lovers and Apple devotees waited breathlessly for the new iPhone 5 announcement today, Apple CEO Tim Cook and his team dropped a few odd surprises into the San Jose, Calif. launch event. The company has partnered with the United States Postal Service to bring technological innovation to birthday cards.
A new “Cards” app allows iPhone and iPad users to design custom greeting cards which Apple will then print on 100% cotton paper and send via regular mail. It launches on October 12 and will cost $2.99 per card. Cards sent outside of the United States will cost $4.99.
While the Cards app clearly threatens to be a Hallmark-killer, it is unclear whether Google will move into the Cards industry by acquiring SomeEcards.com or other existing online greeting-card ventures.