Snail Mail: There's an App for That

Well hi there! Great to see you. Hey...I forgot to tell you the big news. The population of Cornwall has increased. Yeah, I know... hard to believe. For years the population on the highway sign approaching the city read 46,000. Well, the last time we drove in, there was a brand spanking new sign with a new number...47,000. In fairness, it should have read 47,002 since Nong and I just moved here. But then I guess the local government hasn't heard. Anyway, don't just stand there with that empty mug...fill it to the brim with coffee, grab a virtual treat and let's talk snail mail, okay?

Wait ... What? A startup company in Austin, Texas, also serving San Francisco, promises to take its customers' incoming U.S. mail three times a week, photograph it and deliver it back to the customers via mobile phone app, for $4.99 a month. 

The company, Outbox, provides some value-added services, removing the customer from junk-mail lists and paying bills. Still, Outbox's unorthodox business model assumes that a growing number of people absolutely hate opening, filing or discarding pieces of paper. 

Co-founder Will Davis told CNN in February that at least he does not fear competition: "No one is crazy enough to do what we're doing." 

Right...unless it catches on, eh. Then watch a bunch of others jump on the mail wagon. Me? I have always liked opening mail...except bills, of course. It makes good interesting wallpaper and lining for birdcages, though.

See ya, eh!

Bob