# Retro Mailing Services Apple iCards Hope to Revitalize the Dying Physical Postal Industry By Omar Yusuf | Published 2011-10-09 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/icards References: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/5847715/apple-icards-make-laziness-a-virtue) & [apple](http://www.apple.com/iphone/from-the-app-store/apps-by-apple/cards.html) With the [United States Postal Service](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/informed-delivery1) facing bankruptcy within months, it's more than shocking to see [Apple](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Mac-OS) come to the rescue with their iCards, a new business venture that just might help the USPS delay its inevitable collapse. With a few reasonable exceptions, it's rare to send postcards or letters anymore. Though the medium may be slower, cumbersome and less practical, posted mail maintains a level of class and charm that emails will never capture. In the hopes of consolidating the ease of electronic mail with the warmth of printed words, Apple is preparing to launch their new iCards service. Simply snap a photo with your iPod Touch or [iPhone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apple-invites), select one of 21 layouts, input some caring text and voila! In a matter of hours, the iCard can be printed and mailed out to the chosen destination. The tech company intends to ship internationally at $4.99, whereas domestic rates will be $2.99 per card. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 25% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [New Ventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/newventures) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Revitalizing Postal Industry:** Apple iCards could potentially revitalize the physical postal industry by combining the convenience of electronic mail with the charm of traditional printed cards. - **Integration of Digital and Physical:** The integration of digital and physical elements in Apple iCards shows the trend of bridging the gap between the digital and physical world. - **Personalized Communication:** The iCards service taps into the trend of personalized communication, allowing users to send customized cards with their own photos and messages. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Technology:** The launch of Apple iCards highlights the potential for technology companies to disrupt the postal industry and provide innovative solutions for sending physical mail. - **E-commerce:** The iCards service presents an opportunity for e-commerce companies to offer personalized, printed cards as a value-added service for their customers. - **Printing and Shipping:** The iCards venture creates new possibilities for the printing and shipping industry, as it requires the production and delivery of physical mail based on digital inputs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [On-Demand Postage Stamps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/myistamp.md) - [Digital Postcard Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-postcard.md) - [Greeting Card Kiosks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/greeting-card-kiosk.md) - [AI-Written Printed Letters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snappysnail.md) - [Customizable Marketing Postcards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smartpress.md) - [Personalized Holiday Newsletters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pics-wishes.md) - [Convenient Online Greeting Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/happy-tree-cards.md) - [Card-Sending App Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moonpig-1.md) - [Nostalgic Postcard Cafe Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/postcards-from-peets.md)