Touchnote postcard app now available in US, Europe; free sending thanks to HP 20
One of the announcements that came out of last week's webOS Connect event in London was the webOS launch of Touchnote, an app (already available on iOS, Android and Windows Phone 7) that allows users to send actual printed postcards with either their own or the app's stock photos to designated recipients. (Touchnote also enables postcard sending from its own website.) The idea isn't new to webOS; we've had Cardsender for quite some time. Touchnote, though, is particularly simple in its operation, with easy selection of photos (including automatic portrait/landscape detection) and sending to up to 8 addressees at once either via direct entry or from the webOS Contacts list (although there seem to be some minor bugs leading to incomplete address fill-ins and truncation of longer addresses). The app also allows you to preview what your postcard will look like before you send it. While it was available initially only in Europe, it has now crossed the pond to US App Catalog customers.
What makes this launch particularly interesting for our community, though, is that while the app itself is free, Touchnote generally charges $1.49 for postage to send postcards (or less with an advance multiple purchase). At webOS Connect, though, HP announced that it was paying for the first 50,000 postcards sent via the webOS Touchnote app. So download the app and send 'em while you can!
Source: Touchnote
20 Comments
I've been really loving this app already. Making me addicted to sending postcards, cause it's so easy. When the cards are no longer free, I'll probably end up spending a large chunk of my cash on them. :P
Hi guys,
Thanks for the mention. We're really pleased to have the app and postcard printing available in the US, and hope you enjoy sending postcards!
Freddie, Touchnote.
PS As you say, we've got a niggling little bug with address fill-ins from contacts. We're working on it, but the fix has eluded us so far.
I think its more then that address fill-in bug im looking at the app reviews and alot of people are getting sending errors. says server error right after "working our magic" I have used wifi and sprint 3g.
Aaah.. shoot. Just downloaded, installed, made a postcard and then had to cancel. Can't mail to Canadian addresses (not a country option). I guess I should have clued-in when I read the 'US App calalogue' note.
All the same -- cool app / offer from HP to make the first bunch free. Pity I can't use it to mail anybody at home.
Wow. this is awesome. I've already sent out 6! I'd pay for this. grandparents always complaining they don't get pics of the grandkids, now I could just mail it to them as easily as I post it on facebook.
BTW: @Freddie, bug: zipcode does not automatically switch to number mode. unless thats a UK thing I suppose... but one of those 6 might not find its destination.... o_O
Hi antijingoist,
I'm just like you: I use the app to send pics of my baby to the grandparents!
Thanks for the feedback on the app. It's all a bit tricksy in the UK. Our zipcodes are postcodes, which means we need letters as well as numbers.
- Freddie, Touchnote.
Aw I'm in Canada and I was really excited about this until I realized it wasn't available here. Please bring this to Canada!
It's good to know that "Europe" means only "official launch countries in Europe" for HP.
Heh thats awesome!!!, nice to see HP getting in on the promotion to! I may even use it when it costs! Would have been brilliant at Uni the last few years haha!
This is what smart apps should be about :)
Germany is a offical country- but not available here O2 v. 1.4.5
same here - I get application not available in your country error with pre activated in Germany on O2! Last I checked Germany was in fact a country in Europe, so when will we get to use this app in Germany? Probably not until there are no more free postcards from HP :(
Hi guys,
The app is currently only available in:
- UK
- US
- Ireland.
Apologies to Palm users everywhere else.
From these countries cards can be sent to:
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Spain
- UK
- US
I'm afraid we needed to place these restrictions on the app in order to be able to fund a free initial period.
- Freddie, Touchnote.
Great Idea if it worked. I tried sending to 3 different address and it still gives me a error after it says "working our magic".
I have used the Cardsender app a couple times with no problem but this app will not send anything for me.
btw im using a pre- on sprint does that have anything to do with it?
Works for me on my UK o2 pre-
Hi itS,
Apologies that the app isn't working for you. We've had a few reports of this and are trying to work out the issue. From the orders we're getting the app is clearly working fine for thousands of users, but there seem to be a very small number encountering a problem.
A few people are reporting that by trying again later the send starts working. I also suggest that you try deleting and reinstalling the app and be sure to enter a real email address when it is requested.
- Freddie, Touchnote
Canada please!! Looks like a great app.
I have successfully sent 4 on Sprint, no issues at all.
If this prints form the US and delivery time is reasonable, I will be using this quite a lot!
Thanks!
I finally got one to send successfully (via WiFi), and received the following confirmation summary by email:
Cards ordered: 1
Cost of cards: 99p
Postage: 50p
Discounts: £1.49
Prepay balance used: £0.00
Total cost: £0.00
Notice that the price is in Pounds, not Dollars. Currently, £1.49 = $2.40, so I wonder what the US price will be after the HP-funded trial?
Hi mx2001.
We're not sure why people are getting the sending errors, we're looking into it. We suspect, unfortunately, that it may be the amount of orders being sent that is overloading our system. Certainly, lots and lots of postcards are being sent.
When the service becomes paid for (and it currently is paid for on web at www.touchnote.com and other mobile platforms) the pricing is £1.49, $1.49 and €1.49. The price is reduced if you buy cards in bulk.
- Freddie, Touchnote.
So if I understand this correctly you can only send cards from the :
- UK
- US
- Ireland.
Which then can ONLY be sent to these countries :
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Spain
- UK
- US
Hmmm ! I have sent three cards one week ago from the US to US addresses. All confirmed they have been sent but the cards have not been delivered. If this app works it would be awesome but if not it was worth the try. One week is to long.
UPDATE: My wife got her card today along with my daughter that is in college. I have to say the cards were beautiful, my wife was so excited. Now she wants Touchnote on the Pre 3, she has a Blackberry and is patiently waiting for the new Pre. Touchnote Thanks for a great app that will be very useful.