Apple's new Cards app hits the App Store

Apple has released their new Cards app which allows you to create physical cards personalized with your photos and text and mail them right from your phone.

I just tried it out, and within minutes, I created a card with my daughter's photo, added my own text, and ordered it to be shipped to my mom. I would like to see more card templates in the future, including some that are "just because". However, you can change the text to any of the templates and make it your own.

When I first learned about cards, I was indifferent about it because I didn't expect to use it much because I'm not the type of person who sends other people cards. However, now that sending a cards is so easy, and so personal, and so affordable. I think I'm going to start sending out more cards.

The new Cards app from Apple lets you create and mail beautifully crafted cards personalized with your own text and photos — right from your iPhone or iPod touch. Take a quick snapshot and with a few taps and swipes, an elegant thank you note or “wish-you-were-here” card is on its way to any address in the world.

Custom letterpress cards - Cards combine a centuries-old letterpress technique with your digital text and photos - Each card is crafted from 100 percent cotton paper and imprinted with an elegant debossed design - Choose from 21 designs for six occasions: Thank You, Holiday, New Baby, Birthday, Love, and Travel - Customize the placeholder text for any occasion, such as an anniversary or graduation - Add a photo to your card or send one with just text

Location integration - If you select one of the Travel designs, your card automatically displays the name of your current location - Choose a photo with GPS data, and the card shows the name of the place where the photo was taken

Prepaid postage included - U.S. customers can send a card within the U.S. for $2.99 including postage - Send a card anywhere else in the world for $4.99 including postage - Select an address from your Contacts and easily personalize it — from Mr. Johnny Appleseed to The Appleseed Family, for example - To place your order, simply enter your Apple ID password - In the U.S., your card will include our own Apple-designed postage 

Delivery notification - Cards mailed to U.S. addresses make use of the United States Postal Service Intelligent Mail® barcode - On the day your card is to be delivered, you’ll receive a notification on your iPhone or iPod touch

Card history - All your cards are automatically saved and can be viewed in a history list - You can resend any card to another recipient — perfect for when you have a lot of friends to thank or you want to spread the word about the newest member of your family

Cards is available on the iPhone for free. Individual cards cost $2.99 in the US and $4.99 everywhere else, including postage.

[App Store link]


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Leanna Lofte


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Reader comments

Apple's new Cards app hits the App Store


Apple ruined this by making me use a credit card to purchase. I am not old enough to have a credit card at the moment and have my family's linked up but I don't want to use that and they won't allow you to use an iTune's gift card. Total waste now when I want to surprise my mother with a card for her birthday.

A little surprise while playing around with the new 'Cards' app on the iPhone: while US users pay $2.99 in the US and $4.99 internationally the German version of the Cards app generally charges a minimum of 4.49 Euros ($6.25) for delivery within the same country or Europe…! WTF, Apple…?!
Are they using USPS for EU deliveries as well…?!? Even then it shouldn't be that more expensive…!

Totally agree…! I have no idea why they didn't make it a universal app right from the start…!?

I tell ya, technology is moving so fast in such cool ways. I really love the fact that we can do so much on something we carry around in our pockets. I still have my StarTec cellphone in a box in my closet. Just 10 years ago I thought that was the coolest thing ever. Technology is on the move.

A person in US can send a card to anyone around the World. This means the deliveries can be international. Why have they not launched the App in all the stores then? What difference does it make that a person in US sends a card to someone in UK and a person in India wishes to do the same. In both the cases, payment will be made to Apple and card shipped from their US headquarters. Pretty stupid that the App limits placing orders based on your location!

I'm not sure where you're located but as it wasn't available in the German store at the time I've downloaded it from the US store and it is actually localized in several languages (including German) and even shows the prices in Euros…
Unfortunately it's way more expensive that what US customers have to pay for the service…! :(

I am located in India. Downloaded it from the US store and it tells me that I can't place orders.
It is a bit odd if people in Germany have to pay more for the same destination shippage. I mean I can understand that sending a card within US is much cheaper than sending a card within Germnay (as cards are shipped from the US and even if you want to them be delivered within Germany (locally) it is still international postage for Apple). But if rates are different for sending a card to the same international place (lets say UK), then that is pretty ridiculous.

This is a from me, it will be great for USPS. Hope everything works out for them too bad for budget cuts.
Great move Apple..

Also thought I won't use this a lot when Apple announced it, but just downloaded it and already sent my first card. Very easy and affordable. I'm in Singapore and it only cost S$6 or about US$4.7 to send a card. Very nice Apple.

I thought this was going to be useless. But this is very cool and affordable considering the price of cards, envelope, and stamps.
I just wish you could send to multie addresses so when it comes time for Christmas Cards because for something like that paper cards are still. Healer if you have a big family. Apple consider including special holiday bundles?

So I downloaded this app but am stuck at the purchase. Asks for my CVV code, updated information on iTunes, and have done everything I could think of. When I enter the CVV code it tells me to go into settings, store, update account info.
Anyone having this problem? I don't have any problems purchasing apps through app store on my iPhone...only in the cards app

Doesnt work for me either and I have emailed itunes support with full details. Got a generic answer from some clueless support dweeb. Epic fail.