greetingcards
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Facebook's Say Thanks lets you send video cards to your friends
Facebook already lets you post on someone's timeline or send a message to show your gratitude, but that won't always be... you know, heartfelt enough. What if you want to go the extra mile? That's where the social network's new Say Thanks feature might come in handy. Think of it as Google+ Stories for "thank you" cards. All you do is choose the photos and posts that best represent your time together, and wrap them in a theme; after that, Facebook will automatically generate a video (with a personalized message) that you can share. If you've been meaning to tell a long-term pal just how much you care, you can try Say Thanks today on either the desktop or one of Facebook's mobile apps.
Apple quietly terminates its Cards app on iOS, suggests using iPhoto on a Mac
Apple had two phones and the final iteration of its mobile OS to show off, so it'd be forgiven for letting smaller news slip through the cracks -- especially when it's the termination of an older service. It looks like not many people were in need of Cupertino's Cards app, which launched alongside the iPhone 4S back in October 2011. In case you forgot, iPhone (or iPad) users could send an ole-fashioned greeting card through the app interface which would then be sent via snail mail. Apple's official support page confirms that the service is being shuttered, but reminds us that it still has a Hallmark alternative and that we can make "beautiful letterpress cards customized with your photos and text using iPhoto on your Mac." At $2.99 per greeting in the US (or $4.99 to send it globally) the service wasn't cheap, so perhaps you'd already resorted to sending your photos and greetings digitally (and for free) on iMessage -- Apple publicly launched its messenger app at the very same event.
Apple's Cards available on October 12 for iOS
Apple has announced a new official app for iOS. Cards will use any photo taken with an iOS device, and put that photo, along with a message, on high-quality paper to your specifications. The company will even mail it out for you with Apple-designed postage and lettering. Essentially, it offers a way for you to design and deliver custom greeting cards directly from your iOS device, wherever you happen to be. Apple's Cards is due out on October 12. The app seems to be free, though obviously it'll cost you to send and print a card -- $2.99 in the U.S., and $4.99 around the rest of the world. You'll even get a push notification on your device whenever the card is actually printed and sent out. Sure, this might not be the hottest announcement from today's event, but it's a service that a lot of users might want to take advantage of.
Cards app for iPhone sends snail mail best wishes, for a price
We've got at least one completely unexpected announcement from Apple's Let's Talk iPhone Event: a new app that sends out greeting cards. For $2.99 within the US and $4.99 internationally, sending a greeting card the old fashioned way is just one click away on your mobile, complete with notifications when your card is mailed. Taking shots at PC makers and Android's apps are a given, but a bomb dropped on Hallmark? Welcome to the Tim Cook era. Check the liveblog and gallery below for more details. %Gallery-135715% Follow along in our ongoing liveblog right here!
TUAW's Daily App: Cartolina
Cartolina is an app that I noticed over on the great Drawn! illustration blog. While you might not want to get it yourself (it's the thought that counts with greeting cards, and I think that, with both cards and letters, the real thing is still better), you can't disagree that the art of this one is pretty incredible. Cartolina is originally a stationery company, printing cards and letterheads with elaborate and elegant designs on them, but they've also released an iPhone app. For US$2.99, you get access to nine different artistic templates, which can then be made into beautiful email or text messages. It's not a big deal (and it's no substitute for actually writing someone a letter -- something I already don't do enough of), but for classing up the standard congratulatory or simply nice email or text message, it'll work wonders. The app also has a built-in calendar with reminders of major events, and the app promises even more designs and features coming soon. Again, if you already have a schedule and a plan for sending greeting cards, the app probably won't interest you that much. But it's always nice to send someone a reminder that you're thinking of them, and having Cartolina around might help you do just that.
Memento developer offers free holiday greeting card app
A while back we told you about Memento, a quick way to send e-cards right from your iPhone. The developer of that application is back at it again with a Holiday card application. Memento Xmas [iTunes link] is a free application that allows you to send holiday-themed greeting cards to your friends and family, just in time for the holidays. The application acts just like its older brother, Memento, but it is limited to only 4 greeting cards. With each of the greeting cards you have the ability to snap a photo (or use one from your library), and you can also edit the included text. You can download and try out Memento Xmas from the iTunes App Store. In a pinch, this application could save you from writing out all of those holiday greeting cards (unless you still want to have friends and family). %Gallery-39560%Thanks, Duncan!
Mac 101: Dealing without iCards
Apple has posted a nifty tip for Mail users who miss the discontinued iCards feature from .Mac: You can use Mail stationery to create an attractive card-like message with your own photos. In a post on the Mobile Me blog (hey, it's not dead!), Apple says "...it's like the old Make Your Own iCards feature on steroids, and a whole lot easier to use in the bargain." For Leopard users, Mail comes with 30 email templates you can customize in lieu of sending an iCard. Personally, I think an email is better than an iCard anyway, what with all the greeting card spam that goes on. You can use photos that you take with Photo Booth, for example, or pictures from iPhoto. Customize it with a clever note, and away you go. If you don't have Leopard or still want to use an online greeting card site, there are plenty to choose from. (And if you like our series for beginners, Mac 101, there's much more to learn.)
